Any advice on Canterbury living would be much appreciated!

[ekp81]

Hi all, I currently live in London with my other half and two boys ages 3yrs and 6 months but we want to move out and are thinking of Canterbury, it's only an hour away from my friends and mum who live in Bexley and commuting into London seems quite reasonable. Schools also seem good which is another reason we want to move. I haven't had a chance to look in depth but what I've seen so far I like.
But massive problem! We don't know the area! We have seen a property in Westbere which we really love, we didn't get a real chance to properly look around Sturry (we will when we go back to view again) but I've read a few bad reviews on the area which is now putting me off! I just wondered if anyone could help me with some knowledge on the area and also and advice on other nice areas to live in and around Canterbury would be so much appreciated. It's such a big decision to make and a big lifestyle change from living in London, so please help me with advice if you can!
Thanks so much.

Sturry isn't great IMO. It's a massive area of houses with a busy main road into/out of Canterbury which is horrendously congested at peak times . It's a kind of non descript outland

Chartham (at the other end and further up the line) is nicer, proper village life, nice mix of properties etc better access to Canterbury schools.

Or Whitstable or Faversham, both also have good rail links and are nice small towns. How do I know this? I lived in Canterbury most of my life until I moved about 20 years ago to Whitstable. Don't pick Sturry. It's not good.

Hi akaWisey thank you so much for your advice it is honestly really really appreciated. It's such a shame, Bushy hill road was beautiful but I did wonder why there are a lot of houses up for sale on that one road!! Is Chilham in Chartham? I've seen a nice house online there. We will come and do another drive around next weekend and also have a look at Faversham and Whitstable, I've heard mixed on Faversham too (although I've been to a lovely restaurant there! But I don't know the area at all) what's your opinion on Whitstable living for a young family? I only really know the main centre of Whitstable. Thank you again for your help, sorry for more questions!! Really appreciated :)

Hello, read your post with interest, and wondered if you had made the plunge?. My husband and I are also thinking of making the move from Bexley to Canterbury, so wanted any further advice on outlining villages. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hello
did you make the move from Bexley to Canterbury?

I’m currently living in London and thinking of moving to Canterbury Bexley or Beckenham for better schools. just wondering how you found the move if you made it.

thank you