Rochester

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Discussion

thebullettrain

Original Poster:

1,038 posts

238 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
quotequote all
It was originally, now it’s from 11 to 18 year olds.


lickatysplit said:
I thought RIC was a college and not a school as such?

thebullettrain

Original Poster:

1,038 posts

238 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, how did your sister find it and assuming your parents paid was the cost and outcome worth it?

vikingaero said:
RIC has a good rep and expanded massively - my sister went there and did well. If you're looking a private then Kings School Rochester is excellent.

I live in Maidstone and it's not brilliant for transport to London. Maidstone is a good location for access to the Motorway network and Coast, but trains are 1hr min to Victoria. I know a few people who would rather drive 20 mins to Rainham or Paddock Wood to access other lines into London.

Some parts of Rochester are nice, but there are plenty of chavvy parts. My parents moved near the Esplanade and the lower cost was offset by huge increases in car and property insurance as it falls into the Medway slum.

thebullettrain

Original Poster:

1,038 posts

238 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
quotequote all
Thanks all.

School

My son has already started at a local school which is rated outstanding. The decision to move has to mean he goes to another outstanding school.

I’ve noted that Kent has lots of grammar schools, but a good number are only rated good.

Apparently getting him into an outstanding grammar is going to prove to be a challenge. He will have to sit an exam, and even if he passes he will get no place and we would have to appeal.

If we are lucky we could then get a place. However, it’ll be hard. That’s why the Rochester Independent College takes my fancy. But it’ll cost, so it’ll mean a cheaper house.

Areas

We travelled around some of the Medway towns today. One house was on the Borstal border. The house was nice but the the area seemed to be a bit slummy.

The other house was in Chattenden but the new build estate was without a soul.

The views was Stroud and Chatham - no. Central Gillingham was a bit of dump.

Rochester was okay in parts and very nice in others but then some bits were slummy.

We will keep looking as overall Kent is a good place to be.

Lollypops

104 posts

74 months

Monday 28th September 2020
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You could try Hempstead - it's not too far from Rochester and is a nice area with some good houses. Plenty of grammar schools nearby too.

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
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thebullettrain said:
Thanks, how did your sister find it and assuming your parents paid was the cost and outcome worth it?

vikingaero said:
RIC has a good rep and expanded massively - my sister went there and did well. If you're looking a private then Kings School Rochester is excellent.

I live in Maidstone and it's not brilliant for transport to London. Maidstone is a good location for access to the Motorway network and Coast, but trains are 1hr min to Victoria. I know a few people who would rather drive 20 mins to Rainham or Paddock Wood to access other lines into London.

Some parts of Rochester are nice, but there are plenty of chavvy parts. My parents moved near the Esplanade and the lower cost was offset by huge increases in car and property insurance as it falls into the Medway slum.
She did really well. Struggled in 30+ classes at Grammar School and was in classes of 9 in RIC. Biggest difference was everyone of the 9 was willing to learn rather than be dheads. She got 4xA*.

We looked at Kings Rochester as a back up in case Vikingette1 didn't get into the preferred primary near us, but fortunately it was not needed.

CAPP0

19,530 posts

202 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
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marcusjames said:
I agree with Sticks. I'm originally from Medway but now living in West Malling. Tonbridge and Malling is a different world to Medway and for relatively small premiums in house prices. Schools are generally very good to outstanding in the Ofsted ratings.
eek You are me AICMFP!

I grew up from the age of about 7 in Strood, albeit one of the (then) better parts of Strood. I don't know whether those exist any more. A schoolfriend at the time who had delusions of grandeur used to tell people he lived "on the outskirts of Cobham" biggrin

I went to Rochester Math which used to be very well thought of; again, don't know now.



thebullettrain said:
Thanks all.

School

My son has already started at a local school which is rated outstanding. The decision to move has to mean he goes to another outstanding school.

I’ve noted that Kent has lots of grammar schools, but a good number are only rated good.

Apparently getting him into an outstanding grammar is going to prove to be a challenge. He will have to sit an exam, and even if he passes he will get no place and we would have to appeal.

If we are lucky we could then get a place. However, it’ll be hard. That’s why the Rochester Independent College takes my fancy. But it’ll cost, so it’ll mean a cheaper house.

Areas

We travelled around some of the Medway towns today. One house was on the Borstal border. The house was nice but the the area seemed to be a bit slummy.

The other house was in Chattenden but the new build estate was without a soul.

The views was Stroud and Chatham - no. Central Gillingham was a bit of dump.

Rochester was okay in parts and very nice in others but then some bits were slummy.

We will keep looking as overall Kent is a good place to be.
Borstal has a few nice houses as I recall but it's not a lovely area overall.

Chattenden is a hellhole. Used to be an Army barracks.housing, they bulldozed it and just plastered houses everywhere. It's grim.

Strood (Stroud is in Gloucestershire!) used to have some decent parts (see above) but perhaps not now. Maybe Rede Court/Brompton Farm areas but not much else. Chatham, no, just no. Gillingham - take Chatham's bad bits and multiply by 10.

There is definitely "Rochester" and "Rochester" but it's really not what it used to be (he says, stroking his long grey beard).

I agree that the commute into the City is a challenge from West Malling and the surrounding areas. West End not so bad. My office was in Shoreditch and by train I could rarely make it in less than an hour & three quarters, no matter which wriggle I tried, which is why I spent years commuting by motorbike.

Sticks.

8,706 posts

250 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
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St Rood it is now, aspirational, innit. Went to Gordon Rd then Maff.

MYOB

4,767 posts

137 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
quotequote all
What am I reading? Strood use to have nice areas!?

I need a lie down.

CAPP0

19,530 posts

202 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
quotequote all
MYOB said:
What am I reading? Strood use to have nice areas!?

I need a lie down.
biggrin I'm going back maybe 35 years or more but back then, most of Knights Place (stopping VERY definitely before you reached The Bounty!), Rede Court Road, the area around the Three Crutches and along what was then the A2, and Brompton Farm Road (OK, maybe that's Frindsbury) were all fairly decent. NW Strood, if you like!

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
quotequote all
CAPP0 said:
There is definitely "Rochester" and "Rochester" but it's really not what it used to be (he says, stroking his long grey beard).

I agree that the commute into the City is a challenge from West Malling and the surrounding areas. West End not so bad. My office was in Shoreditch and by train I could rarely make it in less than an hour & three quarters, no matter which wriggle I tried, which is why I spent years commuting by motorbike.
This is the main problem with the Maidstone/Malling line into London - goes to the wrong station (Victoria mainly) and takes too long. My door to door was 2 hours from West Malling and after years that was too much, so I jacked it in and changed career. Door to door is 10 secs if working from home or 11 minutes by car.

Rochester is far more accessible trainwise.

Mr_Megalomaniac

852 posts

65 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
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thebullettrain said:
The budget can extend to the 750-850k if the local schools are good.

Rochester took my interest as the schools are good and I looked at a 500k mark I could look at a public school etc.
I am very interested in this thread as I'm just in the boundaries of Kent having gotten fed up with London. I would say from my experiences that Sevenoaks will provide you with a property in that budget, even if you need to go a bit more modest. However I don't know much of which parts of Sevenoaks are best.

Sticks. said:
The Tonbridge property for for comparison to the rural ones. trying to get to Tonbridge station from N of the town is a PITA. I think P Wood, Marden etc and the outer villages like Brenchley, Matfield offer a good compromise of desirability and accessibility. And a seat on the train (assuming that returns to being an issue).
This is quite helpful I think. Any views on the schools around there?


Sticks. said:
Gorgeous, but how long's the commute from sttinbourne? + driving to the station.

By comparison, not so grand, but 10-15mins walk to station, 35 to London (probaly 8+ trains per hour), 5 mins walk to restaurants and bars etc, which someone moving from London might look for. T Wells and Sevenoaks just down the road. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prop...
When you say "not so grand", what kind impressions have you had from your experiences there to date? I've not been round that area and I would potentially consider it unless I duck out Surrey way instead.

marcusjames said:
I agree with Sticks. I'm originally from Medway but now living in West Malling. Tonbridge and Malling is a different world to Medway and for relatively small premiums in house prices. Schools are generally very good to outstanding in the Ofsted ratings.
I really like West Malling, especially the old town. I have an old colleague who lives in Kings Hill which seemed like an interesting development although I couldn't tell based on my short experience if it was souless or characterful?

Specifically on schools, I don't quite like the look of my closest Grammar (Dartford) which isn't rated, but neighbours apparently think it ranks well. Are there others you would recommend and any independents that don't cost upwards of £20k+ a year?
Any idea on how to check catchment areas? I am close to another more promising Grammar but I don't know whether or not they would say we should be at the less preferred one.

Edited by Mr_Megalomaniac on Tuesday 29th September 18:09

kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
Slight thread hijack here but we're looking at moving out into Kent/Surrey in ~6m time.

Top of the list at the moment is Kings Hill - seems to be around an hour to London (City) on either the train (drive to Hildenborough then in) or motorbike.

Does anybody live here/how do you find it?

As backgound we're a couple in our early-mid 30's, married a year and currently childless - looking at moving out a bit ahead of any future changes.....

Versus were we were looking and are currently (Petts Wood East/Beckenham/Hayes) our ~£650-750k budget goes a lot, lot further and schools etc. seem to be a lot better too.

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
Honest, but personal view - I find Kings Hill to be soulless and on the clinical side.

I'd check the trains - an hour to London, but most trains to Victoria, which doesn't work for everyone.

Sticks.

8,706 posts

250 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
Mr_Megalomaniac said:
Sticks. said:
The Tonbridge property for for comparison to the rural ones. trying to get to Tonbridge station from N of the town is a PITA. I think P Wood, Marden etc and the outer villages like Brenchley, Matfield offer a good compromise of desirability and accessibility. And a seat on the train (assuming that returns to being an issue).
This is quite helpful I think. Any views on the schools around there?

Sticks. said:
Gorgeous, but how long's the commute from sttinbourne? + driving to the station.

By comparison, not so grand, but 10-15mins walk to station, 35 to London (probaly 8+ trains per hour), 5 mins walk to restaurants and bars etc, which someone moving from London might look for. T Wells and Sevenoaks just down the road. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prop...
When you say "not so grand", what kind impressions have you had from your experiences there to date? I've not been round that area and I would potentially consider it unless I duck out Surrey way instead.
Can't comment on the schools I'm afraid. Tunbridge Wells has most of everything in terms of shops, restaurants etc, but Tonbridge is a smaller but not unpleasant town for the most part imho. Also a better commute as the railway splits at Tonbridge going to TW or Ashford and good A21 access.

kiethton said:
Slight thread hijack here but we're looking at moving out into Kent/Surrey in ~6m time.

Top of the list at the moment is Kings Hill - seems to be around an hour to London (City) on either the train (drive to Hildenborough then in) or motorbike.
Sounds awful. It'd be quicker to drive to Tonbridge or Sevenoaks but still a PITA imho. A lot of trains are fast from Tonbridge and anything from Hildenborough will be standing (or was pre covid). There used to be a Thameslink from Sevenoaks. Slow though iirc.

If the shift towards home working is permanent, logically there'd be a reduction in rail services until they're running full again I'd have thought. I note the P Wod to Cannon St is now longer, at an hour. More stops added due to low passenger numbers I guess.



kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
Thanks all - on the train issues if commuting I'd be on one of the first trains of the day (at the desk for 6:30 currently) so hopefully not too busy. I do live in hope that when all this settles down I'll only be required to commute for 2-3 days a week however....

Mr_Megalomaniac

852 posts

65 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
kiethton said:
Versus were we were looking and are currently (Petts Wood East/Beckenham/Hayes) our ~£650-750k budget goes a lot, lot further and schools etc. seem to be a lot better too.
Petts Wood is fairly nice from my experience, although some areas heading into St Mary Cray / St Pauls Cray as well as some areas of Orpington do strike me as... odd. Somewhat out of place. I'd say Petts Wood and even going into Broom Hill area seem quite nice and should be worth a serious look into.

Beckenham I personally would say give a big miss. Also far too close to Croydon. As for Hayes I haven't been, seems like a decent part of Bromley although I would again wonder if it is too close to Croydon.
It's a pity Biggin Hill doesn't have a line.

MYOB

4,767 posts

137 months

Thursday 1st October 2020
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kiethton said:
Thanks all - on the train issues if commuting I'd be on one of the first trains of the day (at the desk for 6:30 currently) so hopefully not too busy. I do live in hope that when all this settles down I'll only be required to commute for 2-3 days a week however....
You would be surprised to hear that the first trains are normally jam packed, mostly filled with the trades people going to work. I used to struggle to get a seat when I used to commute at 5.30am!

mdk1

451 posts

208 months

Saturday 31st October 2020
quotequote all
Thought I would add my little bit,
Grew up in Strood so just the other side of the river to Rochester.
Now Live in Cliffe Woods so about 5-10 mins car ride to Strood/Rochester, we are out in the country and has a nice feel to it,
Maybe the OP could look ar Shorne or Higham which also is close enough to the station 5-10 mins and are very nice areas.

Hol

8,359 posts

199 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
quotequote all
mdk1 said:
Thought I would add my little bit,
Grew up in Strood so just the other side of the river to Rochester.
Now Live in Cliffe Woods so about 5-10 mins car ride to Strood/Rochester, we are out in the country and has a nice feel to it,
Maybe the OP could look ar Shorne or Higham which also is close enough to the station 5-10 mins and are very nice areas.
Surely, you mean St Rood Upon Medway?

The other option, from out that way on the isle of Grain would be to drive down to Ebbsfleet for the 10min high speed trip to Stratford. You might have to stand every day, but it’s a short trip.

Sticks.

8,706 posts

250 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
quotequote all
Hol said:
The other option, from out that way on the isle of Grain would be to drive down to Ebbsfleet for the 10min high speed trip to Stratford. You might have to stand every day, but it’s a short trip.
Used as the bleak setting for the prison ship in Dickens' Great Expectations, and hasn't changed much AFAIK. Apart from being able to get off it more quickly.