Buying in Ashford Kent, Advice Please

JayZed

I agree with the above posters. Like the OP, I live and work in London but have been looking into moving to Kent (or Cambridgeshire, but that's another story).

Ashford itself really doesn't appeal to me at all, but there are lots of nice villages nearby (Woodchurch etc). In terms of towns, both Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells are (IMHO) much nicer than Ashford, though TW is certainly more expensive, and Canterbury probably is as well. TW is about 50 mins by train from London, and I think Canterbury will be just under an hour once the high-speed trains come in.

Besides, in Canterbury you get to watch county cricket - what more could you want?

i4U

I like Canterbury, but the journey time on train alone is 1 Hour 40 Min. Although I drive, I prefer to calculate journey time for trains.

From my point of view the main reason for considering Ashford and surrounding area is a) the fast train that is supposed to be happenning at the end of year b) value for money properties.

I am also in my early thirties with one child. So, I could move somewhere else with a bigger budget when I earn more, or when I can afford it. I would have prefered to get my ideal, but I have to face facts that I will be coming to London a lot.

Can anyone tell me if the following areas in Ashford are all Housing Estates (I got them from right move):

Willesborough
Kingsnorth
Kennington
Orchard Heights
Great Fishers
Bishops Wood
Park Farm
Sevington
Little Burton Farm
Singleton

Thank you.

mopat_3

Pity you weren't looking a few months ago, about to exchange on my house in Canterbury; right next to Canterbury West rail station as well!

As a regular Canterbury / London commuter for 8 years it really has worn me down so much that I have had to move. Even the lure of High Speed 1 line opening in December can't persuade me to stay. 4 hours on a train every day is not nice!

It's true that the HS1 line will reduce times, Ashford in 35 mins and Canterbury in little over an hour (line to Ashford is all new, line beyond is existing slow lines). BUT, prices to use this new service will be around 30% higher. You will have a choice, regular trains to central London stations as currently. OR fast expensive train to St Pancras.

Canterbury is a lovely little city and I will miss the place. Ashford has one decent Indian restaurant and that is all the centre has going for it! But the outlying villages are nicer, just factor that into your commute to Ashford station.

i4U

I will, thank you.

I used to live in Devon before. As you say Canterbury is a mich nicer city. However, that commute will kill me. Ashford, is probably not great, I could probably afford a bigger place in Ashford, if right move is anything to go by. Even though the journey will be expensive, it will be better quality of life for me.

I hear two things:

1) A lot of people saying that there is a lot of new developments in Ashford, that is unsold, and that property prices will keep going down for a while.
2) Some people, minority, are saying that property prices will increase once the fast train comes in.

I can wait for a property. I have everything ready. However, do you guys think?

Debt_Free_Chick

Well, it just goes to show how opinions differ!

Canterbury is architecturally and culturally beautiful - but it can be choked with tourists and the shops are very tourist oriented. Personally, having been there once, I'm in no hurry to rush back and I wouldn't want to live there, to be invaded by "the rest of the world" for four or more months of the year. And to pay through the nose for property too. But perhaps that's "just me"

As you say, the commute to/from Canterbury is a PITA too - with a train change, I think, if you go for the high-speed trains when they're introduced later this year.

I'm not suggesting that "Canterbury is rubbish", just highlighting that you

(a) need to get your own personal priorities clear - what do you want? Not want?

and

(b) must visit places you do don't know several times. Seeing somewhere as a visitor or tourist is NOT the same as living there 24/7

Just remember, that the opinion of others (me included!!!!) is what we see through our eyes, with our preferences - not yours

matty17r

Just to let you know that according to our local paper house prices in Ashford are going to rise between £500 and £12,000 due to the new high speed rail link cutting journey times to London.

pawpurrs

The poster who said about the Indian restaurant, Yup agreed!