...Yes there are some rough and ready bits but these are rather isolated.  There are some great parks around (ideal for long dog walks) and good restaurants. 

Excellent transport links to London and this will get even better - 17 mins from Ebbsfleet to St Pancras from 2009. 

House prices are not as high as surrounding areas but I think that this will change in the very near future. 

Gravesend Council are also value for money, recycling bags and black bin bags delivered for free, clean streets and helpful staff etc. 

Convinced… you should be.
Maff

…I moved here from South East London four years ago and it's the best thing I ever did. Although it's a bit rough around the edges Gravesend is a really friendly place to live with a great multi cultural buzz. 

What struck me when I moved here was just how many beautiful Victorian and Georgian houses there are, which are still great value for money despite price rises over the last four years. 

2009 will see the start of a new fast commuter service from Gravesend station, effectively making central London a 20 minute journey and Paris from Ebbsfleet just 2 hours. 

The historic town centre is also set to undergo a multi million pound regeneration.  I think the area will out perform the market over the next few years and begin to attract young professionals and families from London looking for period housing stock, good transport links and a potential grammar school education for their kids.
Janet

…There's a great stock of Victorian buildings crying out for attention and investment.  Harmer Street is one good example of this, where there are rows of empty shops in what should be a desirable street. 

I am moving out of the area, but keeping my flat as an investment (to see what happens when the domestic service from Ebbsfleet to St. Pancras opens). 

I am sure that Gravesend will defy the current predictions that property prices are going to start falling.
James

... I am sure once fast trains stop in the area it will become a very popular location. Not many people realise that from 2009 fast trains will be calling at Gravesend station (1 stop Stratford, 10 mins) and St Pancras will be only 20 minutes away.

... The property prices are a fraction of what they are compared to other areas in Greater London. Kent is massively undervalued compared to Hertfordshire and Surrey yet with the new train link set to open in Ebbsfleet, it will be so easy for commuters to get into London.

Unlike many other areas, rental income covers your mortgage and some more. Fully recommend other people live in Gravesend and to invest in buy to lets!
Melanie

Sarah Armstrong

The night life in Gravesend is practically non-existent and there are a limited number of decent pubs. That aside, the links to the coast and to London are very good. A short hop to France is no problem and an hour to the West End of London is reasonable.