Tell me about Tonbridge, Kent

[zone94]

My partner and I are looking to move to Tonbridge. We ideally would like to live in Sevenoaks or Tunbridge Wells but we can’t afford it yet. We will be moving from central London.

We are late 20s and work in the City of London. Our budget is around £500k so in London we could only afford a 1-2 bed flat in a good area. If we move to Tonbridge I’ve seen 3 beds with gardens for less than our maximum. We also have heard it’s up and coming now, so we might make some equity gains.

I don't live in Tonbridge but close by. Definitely more value for your money than Sevenoaks or t wells. I don't know about up and coming - it's not the nicest of high streets, though there are some nice cafes/couple nice craft beer places. However, you have decent amenities - swimming pool, leisure centre, nice restaurants in the surrounding area, plus T Wells very close for better shops. Decent trains into London - maybe 45/50 mins to London bridge. Also not far from some lovely countryside too. I don't know much about the primaries but some v good secondaries/grammars both there and in t wells. There is a lot of housing there, so it always feels pretty crowded.

I don't know about up and coming and equity gains really, the market here, like everywhere else, is stagnant.

The previous poster is right. Facilities in general are great. You don't mention whether you have children primary or secondary but worth mentioning that some primary schools are great, catchment permitting. Secondary school, grammar territory, so something to consider.

Many trains to London are quick enough. I commute from Hildenborough, and it is about 35 minutes from there to London Bridge. Canon Street is about 45 minutes.

Sevenoaks - more expensive. Quicker train journey though.

TW - expensive again and you are limited by the number of trains as the railway splits at Tonbridge so you are relying on trains and from Twells and Hastings.

All I would say before you buy in Tonbridge is make sure the property isn’t built on a flood plane. Tonbridge is a nice place, great playing fields and good transport links. It is also part of the grammar school system, so this may or may not affect you if you have kids.

Tonbridge is cheaper for a reason. That’s not to say it isn’t nice, but it isn’t some undiscovered town that is excellent value for money. It’s just not that desirable. It feels more like a midlands town than posh London commuter belt. But that’s fine if it’s your cup of tea!

Tonbridge weirdly feels like it ought to be posher than it is! There’s a castle, a v posh school, a river and a wonderful park in the centre of town. The surrounding countryside is gorgeous. Schools are very good. Transport links are excellent.
Yet it feels like the “poor relation” to Sevenoaks and I don’t know why. Tonbridge high street is quite run down, despite the efforts of the excellent Green Party councillors who are very active in this area.