Where should I live? Kent maybe?

[RR85]

Hello everyone,

My first post!

My partner and I are looking to move from our 2 bed flat to a 3 bed house, as we have a toddler and need more space, but we are stuck as to where to go.

We currently live in Bexley, London, and have family in Bromley and S.E. London. We are looking to live somewhere that our family can get to in under 2 hours by public transport and have a budget of £300k.

We have looked at Rochester, Kent as there is a direct train from Deptford. A lovely high street, but having viewed some houses recently, the areas we can afford there are not the best.

We considered Deal, Kent, which we both loved, but felt it was perhaps too far away from everyone.

Does anybody have any idea where we could go? Might there be some other places that fit the bill? We would like some element of culture, coffee shops, nice restaurants and pubs, things for children to do, good schools, links to London. We are an English-Asian family so some ethnic diversity would be great, though I know the further out you go the less likely this is to be found. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be so grateful. Oh and we are not fixed on Kent - it just felt the most logical place to start as it is so close to London.

Thank you!

I'd start with job options and take it from there.
If you'd rather be within M25, NW London would be reasonable (Harrow, Pinner, etc)
Outside the M25, I'd look at Watford and St Albans. Hemel could be worth looking at. Also, look a bit further afield in Hertfordshire - Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City (lovely) and even Stevenage would be ok

I know Kent well and from what you’ve said and your budget the Medway Towns could work for you.

You’ll find a few rough patches but most homes in areas like the outskirts of Rochester, Frindsbury, Strood, parts of Chatham and Gillingham are suburban houses- mixed new buildings and period. Not knowing where you’ve looked already it’s tricky to know your views of these areas… do you need to be within walking distance to the station/ Rochester town centre? If you don’t then places like Aylesford (between Medway and Maidstone) could be worth a shout.

Other ideas… You could consider Faversham which is nice, but your money might not go very far! Along the coast you can find nice towns which are not crazy Whistable prices- Birchington is nice and easy to get the train to London/ Rochester or nip to Margate.

You’ll find cheaper places in Gravesend, Ramsgate etc. But I’m not sure they have the vibe you’re looking for.

Good luck!

I don’t think you’d get anywhere in NW London for that budget, unfortunately (certainly not Pinner!). You might find something in the cheaper bits of Sussex - Crawley maybe? If you’re near three bridges there’s a very fast route to London. Otherwise the Kent towns do seem like a good bet.

Thanks for your replies everyone, it is really helpful!!

We are both teachers so will need to find jobs closer to where we are going to live. We have a car but one of us might end up needing to take the train to work. So walking distance to the station would be handy!

I like Faversham and there are one or two houses within budget there, but yes our money won't get us very much! Herts is also a bit out of budget too. My sister lives in Hatfield so that would have been perfect!

I will look into Watford, Stevenage, Birchington and Crawley. Does anyone have any info on these areas? I haven't heard great things about Crawley tbh, though I understand I am working with a tight budget and so may have to compromise in some ways.

Thanks in advance for your input!

you could have a look at Leighton Buzzard. It's a nice town and has plenty of mixed families and is a friendly.place to live with lots of 3 beds for around and less than 300k. Lots of larger towns around so good for jobs. Theres a train to Euston which takes 35 mins but also is a different one which is about an hour to clapham junction. Houses are more expensive nearer the station but its walkable from everywhere in town or most town buses connect to the station or very near it.

Lots of terraced houses sell for around that price in Rochester, within close proximity of the high street, though they are on the small side and sell quickly. Lovely community.

Have you looked at Ashford? Many very good schools, fast or slow trains to London (fast 37 mins but expensive). Although property prices are rising you could still get something reasonable for 300k

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Mumsnet is awesome. Will do some research into these areas and see what I think. I am not a massive fan of Ashford or Aylesford, but plenty of food for thought here!

I would definitely do some digging about different areas throughout medway as it's being developed and areas are changing quickly. It's a fab area in my opinion with a little background knowledge about specific areas - happy to advise via PM if you'd like a bit more specific information

St Leonards/Hastings?
I have got a bit of a soft spot for the area, having lived there years ago.
Housing is well priced and a direct line to London.

New Ash Green - closest station is Longfield which you can get to from Bromley.

Parts of Maidstone - Penenden Heath/Barming/Vinters maybe?