Location suggested for Kent

[B3Mummy]

Hello all,
I am looking for some ideas of nice areas anywhere for my lovely children's grandparents to move to. I have finally convinced my mum to leave Zone 2 London!!! The only problem is, I have no clue where we should be looking.
I live in Bexley so anything up and off the A2 would be nice.
I haven't lived in Kent long enough to know good areas from challenging (I just got lucky).
I have been to Ashford a couple times for the outlet but that's about it and I have read a few off putting things so it's scared me as I was originally looking in that area.
All suggestions welcome.

I wouldn't recommend Ashford. It's my nearest town and I really don't like it. It's like a town without a heart. Can't really explain it but I hate shopping there.'There are some nice areas but also a couple of not so nice areas. The villages around Ashford are lovely (we are about 12 miles from Ashford) but wouldn't recommend if your parents don't drive. We moved my mum next door to us but as she doesn't drive she has to rely on public transport which can be a bit hit and miss or we have to drive her everywhere.

What about Sevenoaks (lovely), Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells? I've lived in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and really liked both.

It's quite hard to say without a bit more direction - rough area, budget, what they want in terms of age of house or amenities. I love Canterbury and the surrounding villages and also the villages between strood and Tonbridge way. There are some nice parts of Medway which has good amenities and lots to.do, but also lots of areas to.avoid. Whitstable is nice but expensive, herne bay and margate less nice. Sittingbourne is okayish, few shops and currently undergoing a regeneration. Millions of new houses and.some nice villages but aervices stretched. Faveraham is nicer in terms of atmosphere, less new houses but tends to be a little more expensive.

Thank you for your reply.
Basically I know my mum doesn't like new builds, open plan kitchen in the living room is her absolute worst nightmare along with opening the front door and you're in the living room. She likes older character properties e.g. victorian, 1930's big bay windows, but the most important things are nice garden, safe location, parking, close to a town centre or shopping centre eg Bluewater or any other multi store coffee shopping places.
The issue now is the budget but that depends on the location and property. I have no idea what the average is for these areas. 2 bed minimum but preferably 3 with a garage. Oh and if the train links to Dartford or Rochester that would be a major plus.

Thank you for that, Ashford is off the list!! I actually didn't think of Sevenoaks, I will have a look on Rightmove. Luckily they drive!!

Canterbury may be your friend - direct train to Rochester from the east station, lots of shops and older houses. She may want to look at something a bit outside of the city as city centre accommodation tends to be very studenty

Hythe is lovely ... Saltwood is especially lovely !
Sandgate and Seabrook good too ...

These are all smaller places - in my opinion, more friendly to live in than the larger towns, but close enough to the bigger town for amenities.

Canterbury ticks all your boxes. Lots of shops and culture, restaurants, history and architecture, including lovely old houses.

She will find the prices agreeable after London and she can get back on the high speed javelin in under the hour to St Pancras International if she is missing the Smoke/London friends!

The U3A is also very active and has tons of activities if that is something she is interested in. Also very close to the continent and lots of lovely coastal towns nearby like Whitstable. She may even want to do a course at one of the universities in the city.

Thank you for the suggestion. I will have to drive and explore, day trip with the car seat gang I think. It seems a bit far though A2 then M2 and probably more than an hour from Bexleyheath. Would Rochester be along the same lines in quality if life and outdoor things to do plus historic? I only ask because on Google maps it was a major town that I would drive by.

Canterbury is lovely - really nice centre

Thank you, I will have a look.

Rochester is much smaller than Canterbury and pretty rough I think. Has some nice housing though, is cheap and close to Bluewater. Canterbury is much nicer, with a larger selection of shops, close to the sea etc but it is a bit of a trek from Bexleyheath. What about somewhere like Sidcup or Petts Wood?

Why doesn't she live nearer to you? Sounds a bit daft moving to be closer to you but ages away like east Kent would be , I'd use the opportunity to get her nearer to bexley tbh, you'll both be glad of it when she's older

Rochester is very very mixed - I would advise consulting someone who knows the area well.and won't bullshit you when thinking about a specific property

Hi Bigchris, We are looking further out now because she has basically left it too long and now the size of property in Bexley is out of her preferred budget. The whole idea is debt free with money left in the pot. I also think it will be nice to purchase in a nice area that she will love now being 60 and equally when she is 70+ (Bexley is not what I would wish for her but is exactly what I need having 3 little ones)

If you are future proofing and want to look at bungalows have a look at Herne bay , no further from you than Canterbury and still very affordable .

These places sound lovely, but a bit too far. Is Seabrook near Gravesend? I have been told not to even consider Gravesend/Ebbsfleet or Northfleet areas.

I thought Seabrook was near Hythe .

Future proofing!! You hit the nail on the head. I will definaltly have a look. Hopefully not more than ab hour door to door.
I will be going to Canterbury this week to have a look around so I will pop that on places and agents to visit.
Thank you

Oh wow, ok that's Folkstone basically!! That's far.

I can't believe the prices in Canterbury and Herne Bay! We may be onto a winner!!!! I really want them in a nice big bungalow with a mature wrap around garden but my mum wants a nice brick 1930's semi with large garden and bay windows. But that in my opinion is not a wise move. When the hips and knees start objecting you end up having to move or get a stair lift.

Have a look at Paddock Wood & Maidstone, the county town of Kent, (Maidstone has v good shopping/livelier despite being 20 mins from Bluewater) - not so expensive as Bexley/Tunbridge or as far out as Canterbury. Rochester isn't far from Maidstone. Or why not Rochester itself if choosing the area carefully.

Canterbury and its surroundings are lovely.

Having read the further comments on the thread, I am now wondering why you are so involved in a decision that is essentially not yours to make. You seem to want to dictate not only where they live but even the sort of house. If my DC tried to persuade me to move into 'a nice big bungalow with a wrap around garden', I would disinherit them!

You say you have 'finally convinced' your mother to leave Zone 2, but why? London is a brilliant place to live in retirement, so much to do, a lot of it free, glorious parks, theatres, museums etc, and she will have her Freedom pass. I presume that your DP also have lots of friends there, if they have lived there for a while. Why are you trying to transplant them to somewhere where they won't know anybody?

Must admit I'd prefer to live in zone 2 as an oldie than somewhere new where often you have to drive to places and it's hard to both make new friends and create lose conversation that make you feel part of a community.
London she will have her freedom longer and lots to explore.
Bexley is relatively easy by train if she ever had to give up driving.

What if she moves somewhere and hates it- some of my parents friends have made about 3 moves to try and find somewhere they like wasting lots of money. Also as a 60+ what is she into what does she like to do?

Must admit I'd prefer to live in zone 2 as an oldie than somewhere new where often you have to drive to places and it's hard to both make new friends and create lose conversation that make you feel part of a community.

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