New York to Kent

Hi, I'm new here. We'll be moving to the UK, probably Kent area, from Westchester, NY at the end of September. It's due to a job transfer. We're very excited about it, albeit overwhelmed as we'll be moving with a toddler, a baby and a cat!
I've been looking mainly at Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Tunbridge Wells, and recently Rochester. Also, Brighton. Mainly, I just want an easy commute to London Bridge for my husband, in a nice town/village.
I have been searching this website for recent posts with others going through the same experience--of moving to these areas, or who have done this move. I would love to hear more about these towns from anyone who knows them well or who has visited them.

I'm not familiar with the areas you are considering, but I just wanted to say "Welcome!"  It's an exciting time for sure. I'm sure there will be several people in the areas you mentioned that will come along and comment.

Thanks, Fallgal!

I do know Brighton is a coastal town right off the beach.  It is fairly close to London by train.   

Welcome!  I'm moving to Manchester next month with my 3 kids...husband moves today. 

Brighton is not someplace you'll want to live if you want an easy commute to London. It's a straightforward shot (First Capital Connect trains go from Bedford to Brighton via London Bridge), but both long and insanely expensive, even with a season ticket. I know the area very well and even did that commute for a time -- trust me, you don't want it. Especially with kids. Your husband will never see them!

My ex lived in Tunbridge Wells and grew up in Tonbridge so I'm somewhat familiar with them both. He worked in Sevenoaks (and moaned all the time about how boring it was) but I never went there. Tunbridge Wells is definitely the nicer town, it feels a bit posher. High Brooms is technically in T Wells but sort of in between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and is a litte bit more affordable if you want to be close to the train. It's fairly easy to be a 20+ minute walk from the station, which adds a lot onto the door to door journey. The commute is fairly easy into London Bridge from either place. Either of those towns are much more dense than a typical American suburb--which I loved, as a Brooklynite--so it might be an adjustment if you're used to Westchester.

Thanks, Everyone, for the helpful tips!
ErinO, good luck to you and your family in your move to Manchester!

No question, Sevenoaks is the easiest commute, as it's closest to London Bridge and has the most trains per hour. Lots of Americans there. Pricey though, if that's an issue.

My wife and I lived in Tunbridge Wells for a while. About as far away as you'd want to be with a reasonable commute (depending on your husband's tolerance), though having said that, we're 20 minutes further down the Hastings line. Can only speak to the area where we lived, near the Pantiles, which was extremely convenient to the station with a 5 minute walk, and a couple of supermarkets close at hand. Village-y sort of feel, more pleasant than Sevenoaks in my opinion. Unfortunately it's still possible to get neighbours from hell, no matter how nice the area...

Of all the areas around London, this is our favourite. Train line's OK as these things go (if stupidly expensive, as everywhere); great scenery; we like living between the city and the sea, for easy-ish visits to either on the weekend.

Welcome!  We live in maidstone, the county town of kent.  It's actually a pretty nice place to live (some bits are nicer than others) and 55 minutes by train to london (not sure about london bridge specifically).  lots of ppl live here and work in the city.  however, like others pointed out - it is very, very expensive to commute into london from kent.  In many cases it's cheaper to live in london and then you aren't faced with being crammed onto a train for an hour+ twice a day!  

P.S. Rochester/Strood itself is pretty nice but is a Medway town and the other areas of Medway - Chatham, Gillingham, Faversham, etc are not exactly nice (and we have lots of friends and family that live around there)!!  The Gillingham train station is sadly known for violence and if you've ever heard of a "chav" the term originated in Chatham.  It's a shame really because Rochester's high street does have some nice shops and restaurants (we like to go to the dicken's festival) but I don't think I'd want to live there...

Hi, I'm new here. We'll be moving to the UK, probably Kent area, from Westchester, NY at the end of September. It's due to a job transfer. We're very excited about it, albeit overwhelmed as we'll be moving with a toddler, a baby and a cat!
I've been looking mainly at Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Tunbridge Wells, and recently Rochester. Also, Brighton. Mainly, I just want an easy commute to London Bridge for my husband, in a nice town/village.
I have been searching this website for recent posts with others going through the same experience--of moving to these areas, or who have done this move. I would love to hear more about these towns from anyone who knows them well or who has visited them.