What's Ashford in Kent like?

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I lived in Canterbury as a student and loved it there. I'd like to move back to the area but I don't really know any towns other than Canterbury. Ashford looks to have some very reasonably priced homes and I'll obviously go for a visit, but would love feedback from people who live there. Any particular areas to avoid? What do you like about it? Thanks.

Tonbridge. Has a not nice area and a nice area.

Tunbridge wells Has nice areas.

Paddock Wood

Edenbridge it's a funny one as a large demographic but a nice place for kids.

Also consider Uckfield and Oxted (not Kent I know but close)

With young children you need to consider the fact Kent has Grammar schools and it can be hard to get good non grammar schools

I'd be a bit wary on the transport side, and do loads of research wherever you go. I'm in Kent much closer to London than Ashford, but the transport is shocking. We're hastily learning to drive because everything is designed around you having a car. Our doctors is a short bus ride away, except the bus costs £5 for a single ticket and they only run hourly on a weekend. And they can book you appointments at any clinic in the group - I've had appointments cost me £40 in taxis. A trip to the vets and back this week cost me £50 in taxis because no buses were running and it was an emergency. There's a lovely country park I'd love to take my child to, 20 mins away by car but genuinely would take 3 hours to get there by public transport, and no return bus on a Saturday to get us home.

I'd avoid Ashford, Sittingbourne and all the Medway towns and Isle of Sheppey
You'll get a three bed for 400,000 in Canterbury ( or maybe slightly over if you're looking at period homes but you'd easily get a new build type place)
You'd get more for your money in Faversham which is really nicer than I originally thought ( I lived there for a few years) and the surrounding villages are lovely and even cheaper although have dodgy public transport
Saying all that Canterbury wins heads up, great schools, lots to do and absolute beauty with Westgate gardens. Shopping is good too although, like everyhwere, many shops have closed in past couple of years

Instead of Croydon I’d look at Wallington, Purley or Sanderstead.

@Tuxedokitty that's my worry - and why I'd like a town rather than a village. I'm in a very similar position transport wise now and it's a nightmare! Luckily my husband drives, so we can get to places easily at the weekend, but when it's just me and my son during weekdays getting around is a challenge.

Faversham is a nice place with a proper town centre and regular markets. Apart from the usual tesco/sains/aldi and morrisons there is very little by way of 'big chain' stuff apart from an Ask Pizza. It has an independent cinema. That's part of the charm though, local shops and restaurants. Lots of history, walks etc.
Good mix of property types, good rail links to London, the coast and Canterbury.
Good bus services.
Has a good mixed Grammar school and a secondary school which, after a long period in the doldrums, is improving in it's ratings. Primaries are good. Property wise Faversham is still relatively cheap compared to Canterbury and surrounding areas.

Faversham has its problems but unless you want to live in the middle of nowhere there's no escaping that anywhere you go.
I grew up and lived in Canterbury and although it's still my nearest large shopping centre I avoid going now because the last time I went I was shocked at how dirty, grafitti covered and decaying the town looked.

I work in Maidstone. Bloody nightmare roads inc the M20 for operation stack and local traffic jams all around the town centre where M&S have just shut down their store!

@usernamenotaccepted thank you - this is great feedback. I'll take a look at Faversham.

Hi!
I went to uni in Canterbury too, and always loved it.

Moved to Ashford, where my husband is from, about twelve years ago. It's an utterly depressing place. Run down. No soul. We moved to a village just outside after a while, which was idyllic, but zero public transport, so not an option for you.

We ended up moving to Canterbury again a year ago and love love love it. Yes it's studenty, but there's actually life here! Nothing better than wandering into town for lunch when you fancy it, etc.

Would also recommend Wye, Faversham, and perhaps Chilham and Chartham villages because they have train stations.

@KentishMama I still remember the day I first went to the UKC campus so clearly. Fell in love at first sight!

I’m a rare lone voice that likes ashford! I live in one of the villages though but the town is very slowly getting better.. could you look at Wye? A smallish village but has everything you need from day to day including an excellent school. Plus a train should you want to go further afield.

I get the Trashford tag but I’ve made so many friends here now that I couldn’t imagine moving away. Definitely agree with people suggesting Folkstone too.

Have a look at Grove Green / weavering / Bearstead park part of Bearstead . Good local schools , a GP , a pharmacy and a large Tesco all walkable . There is also an M&S , Next and garden centre about a 20/30 minute walk ( slow walk ) . Bearsted itself is also lovely but less facilities IMO . There are also regular buses to wherever they go .

Kent is not good at public transport. Canterbury has buses because of the students, but the council are discussing shutting the park and rides. I can't see that helping matters tbh.

I think you're best off with looking at Canterbury, Folkestone and Faversham OP.

My sister lives in Croydon and I think she prefers it to Ashford, where we went to school. It's doubled in size since then.