Ashford anyone?

johnsh_2

Hi,

Looking to buy in Ashford, Kent. House prices are pretty keen, you get loads for your money spacewise, there and the place has a high speed rail link to London.
Ideally I'd like a place nearish to the train station (within a couple of miles). There seems to be plenty of development and estates in the area. I don't really like the small gardens and overlooks so more looking away from these but would consider if no overlook/decent size garden. Budget around £300-£375 but would prefer to spend less! Does anyone know of the better areas in Ashford or the spots to aviod?
Are there traffic probs anywhere?
Thanks in advance for any advice

happy_2008

Where abouts are you buying in ashford? There are good and bad parts but i would definately stay away from Stanhope!

johnsh_2

That's what I need to find out - where to buy in Ashford.
Did hear Stanhope is rough.
Is Willesborough a decent area?
and is Green Fields Road too near Stanhope?

poppysarah

Ashford?
Isn't there a couple that own loads of properties in that area (And are awful at maintenance...?)

Opinion

poppysarah wrote: »

Ashford?
Isn't there a couple that own loads of properties in that area (And are awful at maintenance...?)

I do believe you're right, though I can't quite remember where I heard about it... I'm sure it was on TV?

poppysarah

Opinion wrote: »

I do believe you're right, though I can't quite remember where I heard about it... I'm sure it was on TV?

There was something on TV ... I think I read they owned over 600 properties and were looking to sell to a russian..


I do think it distorts the market when there's landlords like this who buy stuff up... they become the market...
We have one in our area who well overpaid for a house this year.. suspect he had to in order to keep the price of his portfolio up...

happy_2008

There seems to be alot of properties being built in Ashford which is crazy, everywhere i look there seems to be new developments. What is the maximum distance you would like to be from the train station. I dont live in Ashford but i drive by quite often and use to see friends and still play football there every weekend.

squirrel1948

Have lived Ashford area for past 30 years. Have recently retired and moved from a very rural village on the outskirts to a house on Park Farm estate and can highly recommend it. Your budget of £300 to £375K will buy you a very large property here. The area is very well dsigned and although the plots aren't huge they are very well screened with planting. There are good and not so good areas in Ashford, you really need to be in the know, but I would recommend Park Farm, Singleton, Godinton Park, Orchard Heights as good areas on the South of M20 side, all with easy access to Ashford International station. The landlords other people are talking aboutare the Wilsons, they own a large number of properties, some of which are for sale but not at realistic prices.

There are a lot of new developments in Ashford, Green Fields Lane is in a new area of Singleton. Willesborough is generally OK, there are old and new parts but I am not that familiar with it; it is North of M20 near the William Harvey hospital. Traffic is generally not too bad but there are hot spots, Junction 10 being one of them at peak times and Ashford town can be difficult since the one way ringroad was converted to a 2 way system with "innovative" shared space area(check out Jeremy Clarkson comments).

Good luck house hunting.

Opinion

squirrel1948 wrote: »

The landlords other people are talking aboutare the Wilsons, they own a large number of properties, some of which are for sale but not at realistic prices.

Good luck house hunting.

Thanks.

There we go: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2006/dec/16/business.houseprices

[Edit]Oh, and: http://www.jwipb.co.uk/

GavB79

£300k is a good budget for Ashford. The nicer areas are old Kennington, Park Farm, some parts of Willesborough. Stay away from South Ashford with that kind of money. If you want close to the station, Willesborough is probably your best bet. If you want to go a bit out of the way, look at Singleton, Kingsnorth, Charing, Sevington.

johnsh_2

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Ideally we want to be within 2 miles of the station or a 15 minute cycle ride/walk.
One property we've seen which we like is in Willesborough but very near the junction 10 roundabout.
Does it take long to drive into the station at peak times from there do you know?
I'll be looking at Kennington and surrounding areas. Park Farm looks ok but the gardens are quite small and overlooked. Can't have everything I guess.
I'll try and avoid the Wilsons! Sounds like they have enough money as it is!