Kent or Essex

DTDfanBoy

Alpha58 wrote: »

Hogwash. TW is overpriced and apart from a few nice little enclaves, it is actually quite dreary in terms of housing, although it is a much better shopping centre than Tonbridge thanks to the local authority policy of agreeing to every charity and £1 shop that wants to start up in Tonbridge (14 charity shops and I think 5 £ shops at the latest count).


DTDfanboy likes Southborough - good for him and there are some nice areas there but is has no station closer than High Brooms which does not have the same level of rail service as either Tonbridge or Tonbridge Wells.

I really don't know how you can say Hogwash :eek:

While I accept that in your opinion RTW is overpriced, the majority are happy to pay a premium for living there compared to Tonbridge. Probably for the reasons you mentioned, it has no decent shops, cafes or restaurants

I live in Southborough and my closest station is not High Brooms, it is Tonbridge Station, I'm also only 2 minutes from the A21, and 30 minutes to Gatwick, which is what swayed me from buying in RTW. It's still only a brisk 10 minute walk into RTW, but for me the access to good transport links was more important than being closer to RTW town centre.

Alpha58

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

Tonbridge...has no decent shops, cafes or restaurants

Some, but not many!

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

I live in Southborough and my closest station is not High Brooms, it is Tonbridge Station, I'm also only 2 minutes from the A21, and 30 minutes to Gatwick, which is what swayed me from buying in RTW. It's still only a brisk 10 minute walk into RTW, but for me the access to good transport links was more important than being closer to RTW town centre.

And isn't that the point? All about choice based on practical factors and personal preference. But please don't start me on "Royal" Tunbridge Wells...I have an olympic gold medal in being terminally boring about local history

gazzabboi

If any of you are interested, that decent development that I mentioned now has a few plots going. The 3 bed tuesley is £218k just released today, they had 1 on the website last week and it was reserved in a day. Worth a look

http://bloorhomes.com/developments/roman-green/

hazyjo

Was in Stansted Mountfitchet yesterday - mentioned it before, but just wanted to shout again how nice it is! Could well be the next place I move to (moved twice in 2 years so definitely not in a rush!).

Maybe take a daytrip there, or stay overnight (guest house in village or rooms in pubs, hotel, etc) - they have this castle and reconstructed Norman Village, plus toy museum which your little boy may enjoy (depending on age!).

http://www.mountfitchetcastle.com/

Jx

urbanmyth

hazyjo wrote: »

Was in Stansted Mountfitchet yesterday - mentioned it before, but just wanted to shout again how nice it is!

Second that! We loved the area and almost bought there, but the commute was just a little too long for us.

gazzabboi

I third that, but houses are about 100k over my budget there.

hazyjo

It's very expensive! But you can pick up a few bargains still (in the OP's budget). We had a lovely cream tea there on Sat and my BF said I just looked so happy (not just cos I was covered in jam and cream lol).

Never really hear it mentioned, dunno why, it's perfect! It also doesn't seem 'up itself' like other nice places further out! Did look at Frinton on Sea (BF's mum's there) for a future choice, but it does seem to have 'a bit of an attitude' if you know what I mean! Not ruling that out either as would prefer to end up near the sea I think, but Stansted Mountfitchet would be heaven for me if I can afford the property prices, and if I can maybe afford to work part time in the future!

Jx

urbanmyth

Hazyjo - next time you're in the area you should drive a few miles north to Rickling Green. Way beyond our price range and hardly anything on the market there, for good reason. The green is used by the England cricket team for friendly informal matches in the summer and the pub, Cricketers Arms, is just perfect. So lovely for a day out but expect to go home miserable afterwards!

hazyjo

urbanmyth wrote: »

Hazyjo - next time you're in the area you should drive a few miles north to Rickling Green. Way beyond our price range and hardly anything on the market there, for good reason. The green is used by the England cricket team for friendly informal matches in the summer and the pub, Cricketers Arms, is just perfect. So lovely for a day out but expect to go home miserable afterwards!

Thanks - that's excellent! Have actually looked at the Cricketers online before as somewhere to stay for my BF's birthday. Will see if they have any availability and will definitely consider it!

All these lovely places in Essex. If only I didn't need to commute lol! Bring on retirement!

Jx

Mrs_pbradley936

Chelmsford is great but if too pricey then Colchester with a longer commute and more expense. I would not consider Kent but only because in the winter the trains can be a problem and it will take forever to get into work or get home again. If you can find a house and the trains work for you then Danbury is perfect.

Also Bishop's Stortford has excellent schools and is just over the border with Essex.