Living in Rochester

Are you considering living in Rochester?

We are certain you will love living in Rochester if you decide to move there.

There are many wonderful properties in the area, excellent schools, and it is a perfect location for commuting to the capital.

Located within the county of Kent, Rochester has enjoyed a boost in popularity due to some outstanding transport links and cheaper properties.

Those who live in Rochester are well-connected throughout Kent and into London, making it a great place to live.

No matter how hard you try, moving is never easy.

It is especially tricky when you are unfamiliar with the area you may be moving to.

The first step to planning your move is to gather as much information as possible about the area.

This page is for anyone who is considering living in Rochester!

Our goal is to provide you with all the essential information about living in Rochester.

Including everything from house prices to the cost of living in the area, here are some excellent reasons to start living in Rochester!

Overview of Rochester

Rochester, an ancient city now considered a town, is dominated by the impressive Cathedral and Norman castle ruins.

A castle built in the late medieval period, it was an important defence for England’s southeast coast during the period of invasion.

Located on the Medway River, Rochester boasts maritime traditions and a spirit that recalls past British naval power.

It has long been a popular tourist destination in the Medway region in Kent, “The Garden of England”.

It is a very interesting place to live or visit with beautiful old buildings, quaint shops and boutiques, a cathedral, and a castle.

The Dickens Festival is just one of the events that take place throughout the year in this vibrant town.

Rochester was a central location in many of Charles Dickens’ novels and he spent large periods of time there throughout his life.

There are stalls, carol singers, and lamp-lit parades at this well-attended Christmas festival.

Rochester is an up-market location with charm and character, as well as a range of exciting amenities all within close proximity to the Capital.

House Prices in Rochester

A unique range of properties can be found when living in Rochester, making it an ideal place to live for buyers.

Rochester’s property prices, however, are particularly attractive.

According to Zoopla, the average price of a property in the town in October 2022 is £326,487.

Whilst somewhat higher priced than some other Kent towns, Rochester is a top area in the county.

When you compare this price to London’s average of £727,743, living in Rochester becomes an easy decision!

There is a high demand for properties in the town, and moving here is becoming increasingly appealing.

With regards to property type, flats in Rochester sold for an average of £199,742, with terraced houses sitting at £282,348.

As of October 2022, semi-detached properties stand at an average of £344,707, with a detached home setting you back an average of £529,340.

Cost of Living in Rochester

Regional differences in the cost of living in the UK are significant.

For residents of Kent, Rochester’s relatively high cost of living will come as no surprise.

Rochester residents are not the only ones struggling with the rising cost of living!

There have been increases in the cost of food, energy, and transportation across the UK.

NimbleFins claims that the average household in the UK is spending £588 a week on essential living expenses (March 2022).

However, living in Rochester will ensure locals have a great choice of eating options.

Like most villages, towns and cities in the UK, Rochester offers a variety of restaurants and supermarkets.

When you move to a new area, it is suggested that you gather a good knowledge of the prices you will be paying for food, both when eating out and cooking at home.

As a general summary, these are the prices you can expect to pay for food when living in Rochester.

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant-£ 6.00
• Meal for 2 mid-range restaurants £50.00
• Fast food meal-£6.00
• Cappuccino or latte-£2.46
• 1 litre of milk-£1.04
• Loaf of bread-£1.07
• 1kg chicken-£5.25

Best Schools in Rochester

There has been a strong educational tradition in Rochester dating back to the 7th century. Just what you want to hear if you are moving to the town with children.

The town has both state and private schools, with most having received ‘good’ ratings from Ofsted.

Ofsted considers St Margaret’s at Troy Town C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School, St Peter’s Infant School, and Balfour Junior Academy all “good” schools.

The Rochester Grammar School for girls and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School for boys are the town’s best secondary schools, both earning “outstanding” ratings.

There are also two independent schools in the area.

Among the oldest schools in the world, King’s School is internationally renowned.

Founded in 1984, Rochester Independent College is a much younger institution.

Several college students have gained admission to top universities, placing the college among the top 5% of schools in England for A-level results.

Medway College, an institute of further education serving Medway, Maidstone, and beyond, enrols more than 6000 students each year.

Its Medway Campus, which cost £86 million, is one of the country’s finest vocational training facilities.

Transport Links