Relocating to Kent

[husbandcallsmepickle]

Currently in Essex but considering moving to Kent to be closer to family/friends. DH brought up Sevenoaks for location. I don't have any particular preference so interested in others' opinions.

I love living in Sevenoaks. What would you like to know? What factors matter to you?

Very expensive. And Sevenoaks is a bit small.

I've heard it's expensive. Size isn't a problem though.

Schools, public transport and getting around (I don't drive and thinking of when DS is older), sense of community.

I love Sevenoaks! Do you want a town or more rural
Living though?

It has really good state primary and access to grammar and excellent non grammar secondary schools. My girls are largely independent when seeing their friends as the train service is fantastic. In terms of a sense of community I think that if you get involved in things or are at one of the schools it would be fine. Personally I haven’t really integrated too well but that’s because it’s been covid since we have moved here. But people are FAR more friendly than in the neighbouring surrey town we moved here from and I honestly can’t believe how kind and chatty people are. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. The countryside surrounding the town has surprised me and there are some amazing places to walk and run from the doorstep. Plus great places to eat out. I really rate and recommend it.

Thank you for all your replies. Any views on Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells? Also Faversham/Whitstable?

Train line from Tonbridge is much better than tunbridge wells. Tonnes of great secondary schools in Tonbridge. But tunbridge wells is just nicer than Tonbridge. Whitstable is gorgeous. But a long way from London - no idea if you need to commute. Don’t know any more than that really

Tunbridge Wells is lovely - pretty, old buildings, good grammars - Skinners and Tunbridge Wells grammar for girls. And there’s Judd and TOGS in Tonbridge. 50 mins to Charing Cross.

You’d need to learn to drive though whichever town you choose.

Sevenoaks is nice but really expensive. You could live in London Borough of Bromley Zone 5 for cheaper than Sevenoaks and have far cheaper commuting costs and great schools too. So if you want Kent proper I would go further out. The grammars in Tonbridge are great. The train from Tonbridge is fast. However, personally I prefer Sevenoaks town and all the restaurants and shops. For a small place, there is plenty.
It is its own microcosm. Doesn’t seem to have gone downhill since Covid - must be all the rich people working from home spending money in Sevenoaks itself.
If you don’t mind a long commute with high prices I would go Canterbury way/Whitstable. Coast nearby and culture and Folkestone apparently is quite trendy these days.

Do one or both of you commute?

I think you need to have a clear idea of what kind of schooling you're looking for, because the grammar system in Kent changes the game imo. Kent has lots of good independent schools if you can afford them, but if you're looking at state schools, then it's a bit two-tier and you may not like the look of the grammars as much as you like the sound of them ime (I didn't). The primaries are very geared towards either getting kids into the grammars or not bothering, if you have kids in that age group, so whether you can get them into the school of your choice may have a big effect on how well your move works out. People will speak as they find, which may be different from my opinion ofc, but my point is that it's a key factor for you to consider and get your head round before picking a location.

Where are the friends/family you're hoping to be in reach of? Is being over the border in Sussex an option? Nicer towns and better schools imo, and potentially better transport links for non-drivers depending on where you choose.

I live in tonbridge. It's a bit more rough round the edges than Sevenoaks and T Wells but I love it. Good schools, lovely green spaces, easy commute to London and connections to other places, some lovely bars and places to eat, nice sense of community and you get so much more for your money house wise.

We're moving from Sevenoaks (actually Otford village just outside) down to Tunbridge Wells. Had a great time in the area while the kids were primary age but feel it's time for a change. Sevenoaks is a bit small, which some may like but I think the kids will want a little more going on as they get into their teens and we're also looking forward to the kids getting more independence and us having more time to walk into the town for restaurants, entertainment etc., of which there is far more choice in TW than Sevenoaks. Always felt Sevenoaks has been lacking in the restaurant scene. Some good ones have come and gone but choices are pretty limited now. There's a Stag cinema in Sevenoaks which is good but not so much theatre or music wise, which TW has. It's just a bigger, buzzier town.

We'll lose out a little on the transport as it's a bit longer to/from London but increased WFH means this isn't such a big deal. Also kids are going to the local grammars so that was a big factor to moving as the trip from Sevenoaks can be long and is also now uncertain as KCC have just canned most of the school buses, which is causing uproar. They might reverse it given the impact it's had but if not, getting from Sevenoaks to the Tonbridge/TW schools is going to be a lot more of a challenge, so that might matter to you. The grammar annexe in Sevenoaks is still a few years away from feeling like it's own school rather than a tacked on part of the main sites. It still needs to fill up its year intakes and be fully staffed but it will get there. Still only one choice in Sevenoaks if grammars are on your radar.

Don't get me wrong though. Sevenoaks is a great place to live. Very safe, great transport links to London. Knole and surrounding countryside are on your doorstep. Meets many people's needs, we're just ready for something else.

Commuting isn't an issue as DH WFH and I can be flexible. We're happy with the schools options as they're a big improvement on where we are now.
TW does seem to tick more boxes at the moment.

Roughly where in Essex are you ?
If somewhere like Chelmsford or Colchester do you want similar or smaller ?

Sevenoaks is a bit dull - it's hard to find anywhere that stays open after 11.30pm. Tunbridge Wells has much more going on.

I've lived in both and prefer the latter

Have a good look at Whitstable if you can