Why are houses in a Medway so cheap? Specifically looking at St Mary's Island

Househuntingwoes

We're looking to relocate and I've stumbled across properties that meet our requirements on St Mary's island however, upon researching Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester, it doesn't look good.

I'd not really considered anywhere so close to London as I'd assumed it would be way above our budget but it's not and I can't work out why.

Is it really as bad as some make out?

Is it worth considering?

mjdh1957

Have you ever been to Chatham? There is a reason why it's cheaper than neighbouring towns. Even a quick look on Google street view might help...

Househuntingwoes

Not been no- but I have looked at St Mary's Island on google earth and it looked nice- I was hoping it was far enough away from Chatham to be worth considering.

SaLoGo

I wouldn't touch the houses on St Mary's Island with a bargepole... the ex in laws had a house on there and it was a matchbox... no storage, ridiculously small rooms, even smaller gardens. They sold up and moved to a large 4 bed house for less than what their 2 bed townhouse cost and are much happier.

Househuntingwoes

That's interesting 'salogo' the floor plans I've looked at don't seem excessively small and the gardens look quite big for new or nearly new build.

I guess it's just down to what you need/ expect.

Talc1234

St Mary's Island is very nice, But the same goes for parts of Rochester. TBH there are parts of Gillingham, Chatham, Walderslade ect I would have no problems living in including the lovely Horsted park (new development)

Go there and take a look, ask around. Personally I would avoid Luton road and Strood

MysteryMe

I've only been a couple of times for work but St Mary's Island seemed fine to me, the house I visited was very nice inside.

Househuntingwoes

Thanks for the replies- seems like it's worth at least going to have a look round.

Gordon_Hose

Having local knowledge I'd say there are good and bad places in Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester just like every town/city in the country. We were looking at Gillingham before we settled for elsewhere, you can get a lot for your money.

Have a look at Rainham too.

Browntoa

another vote to say St Marys Islands nice

Also look at the new houses in Wainscott , although a commute from there is easier by coach , 2 companies serve it , Kings Ferry and Clarks

bunnybunnyrabbit

St Mary's Island is very nice, although there are the rumours the ground is radioactive!!

There are some very nice parts of Medway - Rochester is mostly nice and parts of Gillingham and Chatham are good too (Wigmore, Hempstead, parts of Lordswood and Walderslade). Avoid anything near Luton, Wayfield, White Road or Darnley Road! I think the prices are a good indication of the area - for example a 2 bed terraced house in Rochester might be on sale for £165k whereas a similar house in a dodgy part of Chatham would be around £125k