Work in Dartford, where to live for commute

[Toweringpin3]

My husband has been offered a job at the Amazon in Dartford by the tunnel. We currently live in another county and as my family are also in Kent, we are wanting to move nearer to his work. We don't want to live in Dartford itself and my family live in the countryside so we are wondering what towns to consider for a short and easy commute. We can't afford Sevenoaks and not a fan of Maidstone either (sorry, don't wish to upset anyone from Maidstone, lived there many years ago and don't wish to move back for various reasons). Our budget would be around 350,000.

Any ideas of areas to consider. Would prefer a town or a village with excellent amenities such as a train station, pub and a few shops?

What size property do you need? To be honest, most places nearby with that budget, you won't get a house somewhere nice to live, but you would get a flat. Or maybe a house further out or somewhere less appealing.

Also there really is no guaranteed easy commute anywhere round there.
Roads are regularly gridlocked. I'd be tempted to add a bit more on the commute anyway and maybe be somewhere nicer?
Greenhithe isn't bad, a bit boring but got the connections you want.
Villages come at a premium unfortunately.

Longfield or New Ash Green?

Hello,

@Dogsitterwoes We have grown up children so looking to downsize and schools also not an issue for us. We would be happy in a flat/maisonette. Maybe we should look further out. Thank you.

@SparklingSparkle Will look in those areas. thank you.

Farningham, Otford, Eynsford & Shoreham are all lovely. A bit expensive though.

Do you want to live in smaller towns or countryside op? Or would you head towards some parts of SE london...lots of places are on the train line and just a few stops to Dartford. You wouldn't get much for your budget but you could potentially get a flat for your budget.

If you need to be on the same train line as Dartford maybe look at Higham. Large village between Gravesend and the Medway towns, has a few shops, pubs, train station, close to M2/A2, access to countryside.

Oh I see by the tunnel...the train station is in the town centre so I assume he'll be driving?

Meopham, Istead rise, Vigo are nice areas (but I'm biased!)

West Malling ticks your boxes and there are some 2 beds in your budget on Rightmove.

Can he get there on the train and then bike? I can honestly say I can't think of a worse area to commute to traffic wise.

@Comedycook Would prefer a smaller town. Hubby drives so not necessarily worried about trains but will look at the train line.

@mylittleprince Yes, traffic is proving to be awful so will look at the train line. Thank you.

@Dogsitterwoes Will look at West Malling, did drive through there years ago so know it's pretty nice. Thank you.

@socks1107 Thank you. Will check out those areas.

@Dogsitterwoes We don't have children at home now so only looking for a 2 bed property, preferably a house. We are thinking of living further out for a nicer house and hubby will commute as he has now been told from Jan he can work from home 1 or 2 days a week and hours are 8 until 4 the other days. Thinking TW or Tonbridge now as more houses available in our price range. Thank you for all your help.

@UpsyDown Thank you , will check it out.

Bexley could be worth a look

@Ilovemyshed Thank you. We are thinking a longer commute in a town we love now as hubby has since been told he can work from home once or twice a week.

Rochester ? Generally the ME1 areas are nice.

@Here4thechocs We went to Rochester the other week, really liked it but wish to live nearer to family, it's on our list though. Thank you.

Longfield, New Ash Green Hartney, etc

Not sure what you’d get for your money but if you went the other way Bexley Village is nice. Personally I like some parts of bexleyheath but it’s not to everyone’s taste.