Rochester

[thebullettrain]

I’m looking at Rochester as place to move too. I’m coming from east London, “work” in the city and wanting a new place which is a bit cheaper too.
Any thoughts about the town?

That said I’ve a 11 year old who needs a good school too. The grammars are too hard to get into (and only a handful are actually very good) and he’s missed the cut off for the exams anyway. As such, would anybody know about Rochester Independent College?

[thebullettrain]

Thanks, that is a long time to stand. The only saving grace is that I’ll end up travelling into the city, at most three days a week, compared to five at some stage.

I’ll check out further along the line as you suggested.

[thebullettrain]

Andy-IM said:

A few stops further along, but Faversham is a lovely town and has a very much more affluent feel than the alternative Medway and Swale towns (some of which are, let's say, a little socially challenged).

Thanks, Rochester falls in Medway right?

[thebullettrain]

Thank you. I am looking to move from east London and move away for the burger shop/nail bar type feel.

Thanks for the recommendations, I’ll check them out.

[thebullettrain]

Andy-IM said:

Yes - 15 years ago when I moved to Kent someone I worked with from the area advised me to to not buy anything in the Medway towns. That was good advice at the time and it's got worse since then.

Eek, thanks! It did sound like very good value for money!

[thebullettrain]

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.

[thebullettrain]

Thanks, I don’t mind driving (!).

What kind of budget would you suggest for a ‘nice’ house?

[thebullettrain]

Thanks. I’ll take a look and drive over to investigate.

[thebullettrain]

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]

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]

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.