Nice areas in Ashford? Or Whitstable Or Chatham Or Gillingham areas? To work and live there?

Question

I am looking to move to Kent and since I work in a Hospital, I obviously have to make sure there will be one nearby for work. The only thing is that I am not sure which areas are nice to live in and family friendly, I have 2 primary school age kids and do not want to live in a rough area.

So I was looking in Ashford, except all these areas keep popping up, like Park Farm, Kingsnorth, Kennington, etc but I don't know what to make of the areas.

And have considered Whitstable and possibly Canterbury but not sure where exactly would be nice and safe.

I also have a choice of working around Chatham or Gillingham. Can anyone give me advise please if you know any of these areas. These are all places within the UK, just in case I confuse anyone.

Answer 1

I live in Whitstable and it is OK.  It has its rough areas but the rest is fine.  Stay away from St Andrews Close, St Lukes Close and roads round them. - do not go onto the Grimshill estate (it suits its name!) Also avoid the Lucerne Drive area in Seasalter.  

Schools are OK.  Westmeads (infant) and The Endowed School (primary) are brilliant.  St Alphage (infant and rough) and Whitstable Junior School bearable but a bit rough are in the town centre.  Joy Lane is out of the centre but seems OK.  The secondary school did have a bad reputation but has really picked up and is now a very good school - but remember, we have the 11+ down here which means that the league tables are very unbalanced.

Faversham has some lovely areas and is an old market town with plenty to do and easy commute to Canterbury, Margate and Dover.  This is cheaper than Whitstable and worth a look.  Yes, it does have its chav element but anywhere in Kent does.

I don't know much about the Ashford area.  Chatham and Gilingham are dumps!  If possible avoid.

Hope this helps.  

Answer 2

Follow the A28 west of Ashford and you will find many nice areas. It's quiet and in the countryside though so don't expect the buzz of 24hr towns. Also check out the website below. They give you crime rates, house prices, council tax and all sorts for areas you choose to look at.