Moving from London to Kent.

[frolicmum]

I posted on here the other day and it seems I won't be able to afford the house I really want in London - outskirts aka Bromley, chislehurst, beckenham.

Who has moved from London to Kent (lovely new builds in Marden - the sticks, really!)

Anyone been there done that? Please tell me the good and bad x

Budget?

Where do you work?

Do you have a car?

< negative opinion alert >

Negative biased opinion here / but I fled somewhere near Marden as soon as I could. With the exception of a first rate medical centre and lovely church, there’s nothing there - well, a convenience store, butcher, post office, pharmacy, pub, hairdressers and takeaway. Actually now I type that, it doesn’t sounds too bad - but the place is devoid of charm

Depending on budget, Yalding has oodles of charm - but you need to check the flooding position (as you will with Marden)

For super market shopping you’ll need to drive to a local town - there is a Waitrose in Paddock Wood and of course the big supermarkets in Maidstone , Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells

There are charming villages in Kent (yes, still out in the stocks) but they may carry a commensurate price tag for their charm

Sorry, I’ll stop flooding the thread!

PS Marden does have good connections to London - x2 an hour off peak

Marden is lovely if it stays as it is. However, there is a big planning hoohah that has been going on for the last 12 months or so as a developer wants to build 2000 new homes on farmland along with new school, doctors surgery etc. If this does go ahead it will change the village in a lot if ways (good and bad). I have family who moved from London to Marden 15 years ago and have now moved out of the village.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.kentonline.co.uk/weald/news/amp/is-this-how-village-could-look-204145/

Good point, @StormzyinaTCup - there are protest posters (Ol A4 size) all over the place

www.savemarden.com/

Budget is max 800 but even that is a bit of a stretch. The house there detached 5 bed newbuilt under 600k - the dream.

Yes, we do have a big car. We work in London but can both work from home 2-3 days a week and could alternate the days.

God, sounds like I would be one of them buying a new property. It's already built.

Appledown Grange, Howland Road, Marden, Kent, TN12 9HB
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-91068170.html

The one I like is actually reserved now! Haha!

Marden and area are nice but a bit isolated. Don't know whether schools are a consideration but it's a bit of a black hole area and may get worse with more development. With that budget, I'm surprised you can't find anything in Bromley. How about Chelsfield, Downe, Sevenoaks even.

Does it have to be 5 bed. I am also surprised there isn't anything

£800k will get you a 3 bedroomed house in my neck of the woods (south east London)

Gravesend? 10 mins to ebbsfleet and then fast to Stratford/ KX.

We looked at those houses I think (new build but with a v traditional style?). Our research gave us the gut feeling that ultimately they were quite isolated and school choices were limited. We’ve moved to Folkestone where our budget went far further for a much more characterful house and we have seaside, countryside, London and Europe all a short hop away 😁.

Sorry, just seen link. It wasn’t the ones you are looking at, but would imagine They are in close proximity as a small place...

There are dozens of houses under 800k in the surrounding areas Bromley, Beckenham, out towards Sevenoaks. Are you looking on Rightmove. Most are 4 bed but there are 5 bed if thats what kneed.

It seems very pokey to me, but I can't see the floor measurements on my phone.
Does it have to be a new build & have 5 bedrooms? (the one you linked feels more like a good 3 bed with a loft conversion.)

The thing is have you actually been to Marden, Staplehurst etc or are you just looking on line. There really isn’t much there though more at Staplehurst. Take a look at Headcorn which is near and on the train line and a village/small town with more shops and amenities. Or Tenterden. But for your budget I would do half way house and look at West Malling. But being a born and bred Beckenham girl you would get decent house there in a good location. It’s more into London that the budget won’t go far. Thinking you need to research this more.

I wouldn't move to Marden with kids, it's very isolated you will have to drive them everywhere. Nothing really around, wrong side on Maidstone (thinking of nearest place with a range of shops). Also very different to moving to Beckenham or Chislehurst! Your money will go further if you move more into Kent though. What exactly are you looking for?

Thanks everyone. I don't want to buy anything that I have to do up, I know I'll never do it. I want a 5 bed house, minimum 2 bathrooms, decent size garden.

Four Elms Place, Chattenden, Rochester, Kent, ME3
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-72372645.html

St Johns Way, Edenbridge, TN8 6GA
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-95125697.html

I found two more that I like and we will explore the areas next weekend.

I know it's different but I grew up in the sticks and was happy.

Both of those houses look nice and are nearer to bigger towns.

Worth checking regarding Edenbridge is how near the two official Traveller/Gypsy camps the location of the house is. Edenbridge does attract travellers due to the official camps. Also see what some people say about the schools there as well. You may know all of this anyway and it may well not bother you but worth mentioning in case you dont.

Thanks @friendlycat, definitely worth mentioning it!

Might be worth checking out Hildenborough or Hadlow OP.