Considering moving to Maidstone - any info on the area would be great :)

onriebaby

Hi all,
currenty considering moving from London to Maidstone -Perry Street Me14 2RP. I have looked into the schools, crime rates and shops but would like some first hand experience if anyone could help. Is this a decent part of Maidstone and how would people rate Maidstone overall? Thanks

G_M

You do know it's by the sea?

onriebaby

G_M wrote: »

You do know it's by the sea?

Its not that close to the sea. There is a river there though if thats what you mean.

milliebear00001

I used to live about five miles from Maidstone. The town itself isn't that salubrious, but probably no worse than anywhere else. A fair range of the high street shops, good motorway/train links (although trains notoriously unreliable when I lived there - some time ago now). Close-ish to London is the best thing about it!

The address you mention, brings up a police crime story about drug dealing from one of the houses, and the prices suggest it isn't that sought after. Depends what you're after I guess? There are much nicer places a bit further out, but inevitably, these cost a lot more.

milliebear00001

G_M wrote: »

You do know it's by the sea?

Only when the Medway floods (frequently!)

onriebaby

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I used to live about five miles from Maidstone. The town itself isn't that salubrious, but probably no worse than anywhere else. A fair range of the high street shops, good motorway/train links (although trains notoriously unreliable when I lived there - some time ago now). Close-ish to London is the best thing about it!

The address you mention, brings up a police crime story about drug dealing from one of the houses, and the prices suggest it isn't that sought after. Depends what you're after I guess? There are much nicer places a bit further out, but inevitably, these cost a lot more.

Wow :eek:. Did notice the dip in house prices, but this will be a home swap for my council place in London. Even with this the crime rates are a lot lower than where I am nt (Lambeth, South London) and intrested in the area as 4 grammar schools locally - which I be will in the catchment of as I understand it and its closness to Tunbridge (again for their Grammar schools). Not sure if all this overweighs the risks :undecided

onriebaby

milliebear00001 wrote: »

Only when the Medway floods (frequently!)

Double wow - :eek:

milliebear00001

onriebaby wrote: »

Wow :eek:. Did notice the dip in house prices, but this will be a home swap for my council place in London. Even with this the crime rates are a lot lower than where I am nt (Lambeth, South London) and intrested in the area as 4 grammar schools locally - which I be will in the catchment of as I understand it and its closness to Tunbridge (again for their Grammar schools). Not sure if all this overweighs the risks :undecided

Well I'd hazard a guess it'll be safer in terms of crime than Lambeth! If it's mainly schools you're after, then all the surrounding areas are also in the catchment for the grammars, although it seems you don't have the freedom to choose another area anyway. Beware though - grammar school places are sought after and dependent on a passed 11 plus. Kent has some of the worst high schools in the country (because all the able, well supported kids end up in the grammars!) You might not want to take the chance of one of your kids ending up in one of them.

The Medway floods in the town centre and alond some stretches every year, but unless you're really near the river, it's probably not a problem.

Can't you go and have a look round? It'll be walkable from the train station I should think.

onriebaby

milliebear00001 wrote: »

Well I'd hazard a guess it'll be safer in terms of crime than Lambeth! If it's mainly schools you're after, then all the surrounding areas are also in the catchment for the grammars, although it seems you don't have the freedom to choose another area anyway. Beware though - grammar school places are sought after and dependent on a passed 11 plus. Kent has some of the worst high schools in the country (because all the able, well supported kids end up in the grammars!) You might not want to take the chance of one of your kids ending up in one of them.

The Medway floods in the town centre and alond some stretches every year, but unless you're really near the river, it's probably not a problem.

Can't you go and have a look round? It'll be walkable from the train station I should think.

Yeap, Im going on Saturday and will go again in the week to look at primary schhols. Im not worried about the 11 plus (she says) as I have already started tutoring my 6 year old son for it and definately will ensure that a proper tutor is hired by nxt year (when he starts year 4) - that said, he is pretty bright anyway. Either way, London or Kent, I have my heart set on a Grammar school. Also have seen a few other high schools in the area that have got 1's and 2's from Ofsted that may be worth a look if the worst does happen and one of my children dont pass the 11plus.

Like you said, I dont have much choice - been on house swap sites now for 4 years and havent had a single person respond from the better areas.

Problem is I dont have anything to really offer except good transport links and have been hoping for a bigger place. I have a small 2 bed flat (no garden) and this person (as they work in London and commute each day) has a 3 bed house with a garden that they are willing to swap. Not sure if anything like that will ever come up for me again. Only thing I have going for me is that I am willing to move this summer. They have already seen my property and are ready to move on this.

G_M

onriebaby wrote: »

Its not that close to the sea. There is a river there though if thats what you mean.

You see? You DO know Maidstone!

onriebaby

G_M wrote: »

You see? You DO know Maidstone!

Lol . I suppose I do then