Swanley property

BMay

I was originally looking to purchase a house in Bromley but decided I could get more for my money purchasing in Swanley and the commute is just as easy to get into London.

Is there anyone who lives in Swanley that can tell me what the area is like?

I've read a few negative reviews from people that have friends that live there but it would be nice to hear what the area is like from someone who lives in the area.

Many thanks in advance.

BMay

Anyone??

Running_Horse

I don't live in the area anymore, but did so many years ago and know people who live nearby. It has a lot of rough parts and the town centre is terrible. I wouldn't buy there out of choice, and would stick to Bromley if at all possible. Of course, not the whole town is rough, but you will encounter such people on a regular basis. Have you considered Sutton at Hone, South Darenth, or Longfield? Further out on the train, and the first two are also quite close to Dartford.

MattinLondon

We've just moved to Dartford (just last weekend). We couldn't afford to buy in London. We've got a 2 bed terraced house with a garden and it's actually pretty nice. Our road isn't too bad and we have a 7 minute walk to the train station. Neighbours seem nice.

I'm sure there's plenty of chavs about, but the train to London in the morning is full of people like us - young professional people who didn't want to spend 400k on a studio in London.

chazsucks

I can't answer but I hope someone does as I was going to post the same thing today

We live in Surrey and can't afford to buy here, Swanley seems the most reasonable area we've found so far! Can get a 3/4 bed detached house with a lovely garden for the price of a 2 bed flat near us! I've had a google and only heard bad things so far though

debtmess

Where in Swanley are you looking at I used to live on Lullingstone Avenue, it's a big area and some roads etc are better than others I personally would avoid anything around behind the leisure centre

BMay

debtmess wrote: »

Where in Swanley are you looking at I used to live on Lullingstone Avenue, it's a big area and some roads etc are better than others I personally would avoid anything around behind the leisure centre

It would be down the Beechenlea Lane end of London road.

chazsucks

debtmess wrote: »

Where in Swanley are you looking at I used to live on Lullingstone Avenue, it's a big area and some roads etc are better than others I personally would avoid anything around behind the leisure centre

I have no idea where the leisure centre is but we were looking near the station - like around St. Marys road x

jc808

BMay

Nice one! :rotfl:

BigAunty

debtmess wrote: »

Where in Swanley are you looking at I used to live on Lullingstone Avenue, it's a big area and some roads etc are better than others I personally would avoid anything around behind the leisure centre

The area we were most frightened to tread were a few select streets near St Mary's Road which will remain nameless and which always seem to feature as the home addresses published in the local paper of the majority of people arrested and convicted. We did our best to avoid the children that came from them as there were a handful of notable extended families that had notorious reputations.

I believe that ward was the first one to vote in a BNP councillor? Could be wrong but the town now has that political 'honour'.

The local school had one of the lowest rates of GSCEs in the county. When stats began to be collected, only 12% of students gained 5 and then over the next few decades, it slowly crept up to around 22%, well under half the national average. The school was frankly a total hole and I believe it was turned into some kind of technical college churning out hairdressers or something? I remember the National Front handing out leaflets at the gate.

It's been nearly 30 years since I've left. Would love to go back but suspect I would find it quite weird now.