King's Hill - what's it like?
Discussion
No commercial vehicles allowed to be parked outside your house overnight, admittedly not a bad thing. Don't change the colour of your front door and it's got a big pikey Asda.
And if you think the property prices there are good value look 5-10 miles further away and save yourself some money.
And if you think the property prices there are good value look 5-10 miles further away and save yourself some money.
Its a bit of an overpriced bubble of a housing estate and as stated they tried to attract more upmarket residents by setting these rules, but didnt really think it through.
Trains to London aren't that great, if commuting is what you are after. Don't think they have Grammar schools in Maidstone either anymore? (but not sure on that).
The local gym is a right hoot, - full of chelsea tractor mums.
Trains to London aren't that great, if commuting is what you are after. Don't think they have Grammar schools in Maidstone either anymore? (but not sure on that).
The local gym is a right hoot, - full of chelsea tractor mums.
I lived at Kings Hill for about 5 years, moved out 3 years ago. I thought it was ok, although the area I was in became more populated while we were there. The properties are pretty packed in and it is shame it was an Asda that got the supermarket spot.
I commuted to London, initially I drove to Chislehurst as I wanted to get into Cannon Street. Avoided the M20 junction 4 congestion coming home by turning off at the top of Wrotham Hill and following the A20, then going through Offham and arriving at the top of the bypass. I then needed to get to Victoria so I got the train from West Malling. The bus service from KH to the station was great, buses and trains were pretty much in sync and it saved wasting a car for a couple of miles trip.
We had to pay a couple of annual maintenance charges on top of the Council Tax to cover local stuff. Mind you, having the Security cars driving around was good thing. They used to move crowds of youths on if necessary.
The junior schools seem ok but for secondary schools (grammar and comp), then it means travelling to Maidstone or Tonbridge.
It can seem a bit 'cosy', my wife was always bumping into people when out and about and it is quite family orientated.
As usual there are pros and cons!
I commuted to London, initially I drove to Chislehurst as I wanted to get into Cannon Street. Avoided the M20 junction 4 congestion coming home by turning off at the top of Wrotham Hill and following the A20, then going through Offham and arriving at the top of the bypass. I then needed to get to Victoria so I got the train from West Malling. The bus service from KH to the station was great, buses and trains were pretty much in sync and it saved wasting a car for a couple of miles trip.
We had to pay a couple of annual maintenance charges on top of the Council Tax to cover local stuff. Mind you, having the Security cars driving around was good thing. They used to move crowds of youths on if necessary.
The junior schools seem ok but for secondary schools (grammar and comp), then it means travelling to Maidstone or Tonbridge.
It can seem a bit 'cosy', my wife was always bumping into people when out and about and it is quite family orientated.
As usual there are pros and cons!
Chris_ said:
closely packed houses
That's a good point. The garden to house size ratio was very mean. If I want to sink cash into a 5-bed, double garage pad, then I want a rather large plot of land to go with, at the very least I do not want other houses backing right onto mine.It is safe though.
And I echo the other poster - Asda? ASDA??! The prices of the properites is high, some very wealthy people live there and the planners out a whacking great Asda in the middle. Idiots...
Hol said:
Do they still do 13plus, instead of 11plus?
We have grammar and 11plus in Chatham/Rochester, but I wouldn't say that lifts the overall area any.
I'm not sure actually. I'm down in Tunbridge Wells and we have the 11+.We have grammar and 11plus in Chatham/Rochester, but I wouldn't say that lifts the overall area any.
Maidstone Grammar School (MGS) is just nr Mote Park if memory serves me correctly.
Thanks guys, especially WIL35.
We're looking for somewhere with 4+ beds, a double garage, some garden (enough for a BBQ and for my son to play), a safe neighbourhood and decent primary schools. So it seems to score quite well.
Yes, I'd rather have a Waitrose than an Asda and yes the houses are much more densely packed than I'd like but it's going to be about compromise.
How much was the annual maintenance fee (if you don't mind me asking)?
We're looking for somewhere with 4+ beds, a double garage, some garden (enough for a BBQ and for my son to play), a safe neighbourhood and decent primary schools. So it seems to score quite well.
Yes, I'd rather have a Waitrose than an Asda and yes the houses are much more densely packed than I'd like but it's going to be about compromise.
How much was the annual maintenance fee (if you don't mind me asking)?
Edited by theaxe on Friday 4th February 14:50
theaxe said:
How much was the annual maintenance fee (if you don't mind me asking)?
We had to pay two amounts; one to the overall development company (about £300 pa) and one to another management company that looked after the Charles Church bit we bought our house in (about £250). I think some people in the Oaks Hamlet area are paying about £1,000 pa.Not huge in the scheme of things, but something you have to factor in. Some of the older bits don't have to pay a fee.
Matt UK said:
And I echo the other poster - Asda? ASDA??! The prices of the properites is high, some very wealthy people live there and the planners out a whacking great Asda in the middle. Idiots...
The idea behind it, apparently, was to draw people in who don't live there thereby creating a bigger customer base.There is a rumour that Waitrose will be opening a small shop in Gibson Drive.
Roo said:
The idea behind it, apparently, was to draw people in who don't live there thereby creating a bigger customer base.
There is a rumour that Waitrose will be opening a small shop in Gibson Drive.
Not quite - the development was originally started by an American developer who had good links into Wall Mart. There was some deal set up and hey presto an Asda pops up.There is a rumour that Waitrose will be opening a small shop in Gibson Drive.
I like the Tiger Bread and the electrical stuff is cheap,
There is a Tesco in West Malling and a bigger one not far. Fair play if you can afford to shop at Waitrose, but I just wince at the bill if I shop there.
We seem to shop most at Sainsbury - probably because of the Petrol station and Cafe (nice Bacon Sandwiches).
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