Colchester or Maidstone???

[Poppie2023]

Hello mumsnetters,

After much procrastination and indecisiveness, i've finally narrowed my area search criteria to Colchester and Maidstone and would appreciate if those with knowledge of the areas could share and compare. I haven't yet decided if i will be moving in or letting out, but if I do decide to move in, I will need to commute to London at least 3 days a week.

Please, no other area suggestions as it's been a real headache to narrow down and I don't want to add any further confusion as I'm indecisive as it is.

Ok, so I live near Maidstone and have friends in Colchester and familiar with it. Both in lovely parts of the country.

I wouldn't personally live in the centre of either, but somewhere nearby.

Commute, depends where in London you are going. Trains are best, A12 (Colchester) has been my hell road for years, gets very congested. You can drive nearer London from Maidstone to save on train fare (Sevenoaks is popular for this.

Colchester town centre olde-worlde, Maidstone modern. Both have nice parks. Both attract a rougher crowd in the evenings but not enough to bother me.

What do you want from where you live?

There is only one way into London from Colchester by train, whereas Maidstone has two. Depending on where in London I worked, this might be a consideration.

Sevenoaks car parking near the station is about £8 a day, plus the petrol to get there, so sometimes it is easier to stay close to the local station.

I live approx 15 mins from Maidstone - tend to go elsewhere for shopping etc. Masses of new building to the area, so it gets incredibly congested.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of both area's. Very much appreciated and helpful. In terms of the town center, I visited recently and we skipped one due to time but it did seem a little dated, but just up the road, there was another one which seemed more buzzing and vibrant, had an array of shops including Fenwick. Have you visited this one?

In terms of what I would want, it would be, not too far from the station, shops and a12.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of both area's. Very much appreciated and helpful. I'm still doing my research and wasn't aware of this. My main destination point is getting in to stratford, but I guest it's important to have more opts in case any issues with the train line.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of both area's. Very much appreciated and helpful. It's good to know I have opts. I'm more likely to either drive all the way or take the train. 😊

I live near Maidstone and love it. There are some fabulous villages close enough to be easy to pop in for shops/trains etc but far away enough for some open space/quiet. DD works in London and gets a train from paddock wood 40mins. I work in SE London and drive - takes 1 hour max. We used to live in London, we love our little village

Kent based. Where do you need to get to in London? Maidstone has three stations which gets you to different parts of London, plus Paddock Elwood isn’t too far away either. Generally takes about an hour.

I have lived very near both and Colchester would get my vote. Nicer area and more things to do. Wivenhoe properties are lovely, which is one stop from Colchester.

Just saw you need to get to Stratford. That’s easy get to , you just need to change at Strood and it’s usually only a couple of minutes wait (connecting trains).

What sort of property are you considering. Maidstone, like all places have their rough and ready areas, but also nice areas, plus lots of lovely villages around. It’s a good location, as you can get to several different coastal towns within an hour, Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centre are easily accessible, Europe is nearby - ish via the tunnel/ferries. Etc

@socialdilemmawhattodo do you mind me asking where you recommend to shop as an alternative if not in Maidstone?

I was born in Colchester and now am only 45 mins out on the coast. I wouldn’t move back into Colchester as like being by the sea (Frinton on Sea) and am happy and settled. However Colchester remains our go to town and is undergoing a lot of regeneration. The town centre has a lot of bars/restaurants etc. Ipswich close by too for similar and decent shopping.
we went to Maidstone for a weekend away and decided to drive on through and not stop and never intend to venture back in that direction!

I know you didn't want other areas but if you can be near enough and can afford the parking/fare, Ebbsfleet has the high speed train to Stratford. Ebbsfleet itself is a soulless housing development though, so not right there.

Maybe an idea of your budget and what you need would be helpful?

I live near Colchester (grew up here), my partner lives in a village 20 mins from Maidstone. So also have experience of both!

Trains from Colchester are run by Greater Anglia (often known as Later, Angrier) and there is only one line into London - you have more alternative routes in Kent.

The A12 is an omnishambles - roadworks on the Marks Tey-Stanway stretch just west of Colchester are months behind schedule (then they start the next bit towards London so more chaos!)… and closer to London up the A12 they are doing major works at Ingatestone too. The roads in Kent are ok until Dover is broken then everywhere starts to snarl up even with Operation Stack etc.

Colchester became a Queens jubilee city and has lots to do. Maidstone looks increasingly run down in the town and we prefer Tunbridge Wells.

if you look at Colchester look at Wivenhoe and Alresford (which also has a train station, one stop further out than Wiv) - both cheaper than Colchester itself. Also consider Manningtree/Lawford areas.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of both area's. Very much appreciated and helpful. I quite liked Colchester when I visited and their period style properties. Maidstone was more of a flighting visit so really need to visit them both again.

Also do you want a town or village?

Maidstone town centre has all the usual suspects

Large Next and M and S - on outskirts of Maidstone

Ashford - has outlet village

Bluewater - about 40 minute drive

Lakeside - shopping centre and retail park - an hours drive, other side of Dartford tunnel

If you're buying, it's a huge investment and you really do need to visit at all hours to the main places you'll be living in/near.

I can't speak for Colchester but Maidstone is a real mixed bag.

Great grammar schools and good transport links. Mote park is good for younger kids. Council is based in the centre with good job opportunities if you want that line of work.

BUT the high street is rough and stabbings are becoming more commonplace. Drugs is an increasing problem and I wouldn't want to raise a family there. It's not awful, but I wouldn't want my teens out late at night there. Like others have said, I'd choose a village on the outskirts; Bearsted, West Malling, Kings Hill... Far safer and nicer but close by for shopping.

I live about ten minutes from Maidstone currently but I'll be putting my house on the market ASAP. For shopping there is also Hempstead Valley which is about 15 - 20 minutes from Maidstone.