Moving to Kent - help!

[letsdothis5]

Morning everyone!

we’re looking to relocate to Kent. And I’d love some advice or input from anyone that’s moved recently and not looked back, or moved and didn’t like it. It’s really difficult to make such a big decision and I feel like I need a little help 🤣

we’re currently looking at
1 west malling (loved the high street!)
2 leybourne (not the chase development, we visited and it was too built up)
3 Tonbridge (yet to visit)
4 Folkestone (yet to visit)

We have a 4 year old so will need schools nearby, and i will be commuting back into SE London for now.

we just want some more space, peaceful living and some green spaces!

Any feedback will be much appreciated!

Thanks everyone for all the input! Lots to think about.

I think we’ve crossed off any seaside towns, purely because we want lots to do and i don’t know if it’s do-able with a small child. Especially my commute back to se London.

we’re now looking at meopham, as it’s slightly closer to my work, but still has nice greenery.

Bearstead I’ll have a look at.

We really liked west malling but to be close to the highstreet was a bit out of our budget. And from Ditton/Larkfield, it doesn’t look like there’s much within walking distance to do with DC. And everyone that talks about the traffic definately puts me off too! 🫣

I’m not a big fan of the estates in leybourne/kings hill. We want to move away from the built up feeling and those estates felt very built up and hemmed in.

@letsdothis5yes that is the feeling exactly! The ryarsh park estate is slightly better but not a lot and remarkably expensive. The top of the hill (meopham/Vigo/culverstone) is slightly cheaper yet still really easy access to everywhere else. I think you need to work out what sort of feel you're going for - village or housing estate/town and then go from there. We're very lucky here in that you can get that not hemmed in feeling whilst still being within easy access to amenities!
The problem is, you pay for it! Other areas to consider might be hadlow or similar. You could look at the outer reaches of snodland too although it can be a rather marmite place. Burhham and wouldham are also now nice with slightly cheaper prices, lovely countryside and very good accessibility (but steer clear of peters village if estates aren't your thing)

They are

Which train route will you need, there's not much in Meopham. What's your budget, where is se London will you need to get to. How far out do you want to be?

And Cranbrook school (which is great) is one of the few co-ed grammars if that’s a consideration..lovely part of Kent x

Well said

My advice would be to visit

I have lived/work in most places you mention

PM me if you want more info

Two kids currently at Uni (RG) A* students (both experienced great education in coastal town 😂😂😂😂)

Agree with visiting. I’ve got a friend who when she divorced moved to Whitstable with her son. She is quite arty into yoga and all that. Childless friends live in Canterbury and Denton (nearby). Friend without kids but with stepson lives in Broadstairs. My aunt and uncle lived in St Mary’s bay (near Dymchurch) for many years. Childhood friend of DB’s lives in St Mary’s bay did with his kids until he separated from his wife. He says there are no parks there. Friend moved to Rochester to marry and likes it but has no kids. As pp said some Kent towns/villages are in middle of nowhere with not a lot to do. Sandgate friend with child lives. Near Hythe. I personally don’t like Folkestone, some do, some don’t. There are some nice parts of it though and good transport links to London. Canterbury similar (much prettier better shops and restaurants and so on) though no idea how good for kids, it is a bit student town.

We bought my Labrador puppy from an oast house in Meopham when I was 9.

I did notice quite a few young families near places like Hythe. Unsure re schools but must be things to do. New Romney?

There's loads for kids in Folkestone. We moved here from London when DC were 2 and 0. No regrets 8 years on.