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

kidmugsy

bunnybunnyrabbit wrote: »

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

What an absurd thing to say. Half an afternoon with a spade and a geiger counter would resolve that.

roobee13

Hi OP,

My OH is from Rochester (though grew up in Chatham) and his friends have just bought a place in St Marys Island and love it.

I've only visited Medway but from what I've seen (and heard from OH), Rochester is nice, Chatham is a bit hit and miss, and by all accounts Strood should be avoided at all costs!

Good luck

Househuntingwoes

Thanks for the replies- we're going to go down to suss it out seeing as it doesn't seem like a total non- starter.

Irn-Bru-Kid

We have just sold our place in Walderslade and are moving North.

Before you even consider Medway, Chatham especially, I suggest you view this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkTiJzJRAG8

This is just a normal day in Chatham or Gillingham. Rochester, although very nice during the day, is a no go area at night.

One of the reasons St Mary's Island is so cheap is because there is absolutely no amenities. No shops, doctors surgery or even a PO. There is a small Co-op at the Marina, but that's it. You would need to drive into Gillingham or Chatham for anything else. Even then, there are no decent restaurants, bars or shops.

Rainham is quite nice and probably worth a look.

Please do not be swayed by the lovely location of St Mary's Island. It is cheap for a reason

Househuntingwoes

Thanks irn-bru. I thought I'd read that there was a doctors surgery on the island?

Not too fussed about shops etc being close by as we will be out and about for work anyway so wouldn't be restricted to shopping in the local area.

I can see why it wouldn't be ideal for people who don't drive/ have young children etc but so far I've not been put off.

Househuntingwoes

I can't view the link- what does it show?

Wyre

I have lived in Medway all my life and fortunately have never seen fighting like the video above.

There are areas of Chatham and Strood I wouldn't want to go to at night but Rochester is lovely. Lower Gillingham is getting a lot of investment right now (for some bizarre reason they are calling it Chatham Waters but it is actually in Gillingham). Lots of flats, a huge Asda is currently being built and opening next Autumn and a hotel. Gillingham seems to be marketed at the students now with 3 universities and a college. This has had the knock on effect of more buses (including night buses starting September at last).

However, if I was moving within the area I would go to Hempstead or Wigmore, where there are lots of buses to both Hempstead Valley shopping centre or into Chatham or even to Bluewater, Rainham station isn't too far, there are schools and lovely woods nearby.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Househuntingwoes wrote: »

Thanks irn-bru. I thought I'd read that there was a doctors surgery on the island?

Not too fussed about shops etc being close by as we will be out and about for work anyway so wouldn't be restricted to shopping in the local area.

I can see why it wouldn't be ideal for people who don't drive/ have young children etc but so far I've not been put off.

Apologies, a surgery has opened recently I have been told

Annabelle14

My other half grew up in Chatham and his parents now live in Walderslade. Due to being priced out totally from London or anywhere near where we work I had wondered why Medway was so cheap. Flooding. Not everywhere of course, some places are perfectly safe, but please arm yourself with the EA Flood map before considering buying anywhere around there.

Househuntingwoes

I have had a look at flood risk areas (not really sure I've looked in the right places) but it seemed that flooding was a higher risk inland.

As St Marys Island is in the estuary the water can flow more quickly and there's less chance of flooding (although not no chance)- is that right?