Which areas to avoid around North Kent?

Running_Horse

Depends on your budget.

In Medway, Rochester and Rainham are worth a look. Good 3 bed houses in Rochester are currently selling as quickly as they come on the market, so get to know the agents personally.

The only village I would consider on the North Kent Line is Higham. Had a bit of an ASBO problem a while back and travellers regularly take over the railway station, but it is really lovely to walk out on the marshes towards the old church.

Swanley is OK in parts but awful in others. Check primary school results on upmystreet to get an idea of good and bad areas.

Further out, affordable houses come on from time to time within a mile of Longfield and Farningham Road stations (South Darenth, Sutton at Hone and Hartley villages), so check on Rightmove. Be careful of Bean as it snarls up when the A2 gets busy around Bluewater.

On the Weald you might consider Staplehurst or Marden, both with railway stations. In terms of desirability of area you get exactly what you pay for in these villages, particularly Marden, while Staplehurst is nice but becoming a little large and commuterville.

Hope some of this helps.