Welcome to Ashford.

Welcome to Ashford, a city located in Kent, England. Ashford is a common English place name. We have only been here for a little over a month, so we may not have a deep understanding of the city. Therefore, we would like to share our observations and experiences from a different perspective with you.

Our impression of Ashford is that it is peaceful and not too crowded, with no tall buildings in sight, with most buildings not exceeding six or seven floors. We live on the fifth floor, which is already the top floor, and the living environment does not feel cramped, making it a peaceful place to live. In addition, there are more green areas in Ashford because there are not many buildings, and the space for greenery is relatively abundant. It is possible that the locals do not want to live in a crowded environment, as we have seen on some social media platforms that some locals oppose the construction of more high-rise buildings. They believe that it will affect the environment and that resources are already insufficient, which will drive up prices.

Although it may seem like a suburb here, the facilities are very well-equipped. For example, in the community where I live or nearby, there are several large supermarkets surrounding us, so basic daily necessities are definitely not lacking. Unlike Hong Kong, where only one or two large supermarkets monopolize the entire market, there are many large supermarkets in the UK. The nearest Aldi stores can be reached on foot in about five to ten minutes, while slightly further away ones like Asda, Sainsbury, Tesco extra require taking a bus or driving. In addition, there are many different types of shops on High Street, such as B&M, Tesco Express, Lidl, Iceland, and many shops and restaurants in shopping malls, with a wide range of choices and complete facilities. Shopping at supermarkets is almost a way of life in the UK, while in Hong Kong, everything is so convenient that people often just go to the supermarket to buy things or order takeout. In contrast, due to the vast size of the UK, people often have to drive to get to the supermarket.

In addition to the many large supermarkets, there is also a famous place nearby called Ashford Designer Outlet, which is a concentration of designer brands. We have been there several times, and do we want to go again? Yes! Because the environment here is comfortable, and strolling around is a pleasure. The outlet is not far from our home, so we can drive there, and it's also within walking distance, taking less than twenty minutes.

In addition to supermarkets, there are also banks, bookstores, stationery shops, shoe stores, opticians, and other places that can be found on High Street. Everything you need is readily available, so there is no need to worry about basic necessities when living in Ashford (unless, of course, you don't have the money). High Street is not far from our home and is cleaner than other big cities, although we still think it could be better. Nevertheless, it's already considered good in this area.

There are many green areas in Ashford, including numerous parks. One of the most well-known parks, Ashford Victoria Park, is located right next to where we live. It has a large grassy area where people can run, cycle, and take leisurely walks. There are also frequent events held in the park, providing a great place for young people to gather. I personally enjoy running and walking in this park, and sometimes I even pretend to be a "Victoria Park uncle" to immerse myself in nature.

Here seems very nice and comfortable, so what kind of Hong Kong people would come to settle in Ashford? Kent has different towns, and Ashford is one of them. Hong Kong people look for settling points mainly in several places, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Reading, Nottingham, Kent County, and so on. Most people would choose big cities, while some may also choose small towns. However, Kent has many different towns, and everyone has different requirements. Small towns are not as lively as cities, and may not be suitable for everyone. The two main types of people who choose Ashford are those with young children because Kent's school network is excellent, and those who are getting older, almost retired or already retired individuals because it is very relaxing here without the pressure of big cities. Therefore, these friends come here to experience a lifestyle that is impossible to find in Hong Kong.

From our observations, there are people of different races living here, apart from the locals, mainly Nepalese, and there is an increasing number of Hong Kong people. Nepalese people can be seen everywhere, of all ages. Of course, this is due to historical reasons that led them to live here. Although there are many ethnicities, everyone respects each other and coexists peacefully.

In conclusion, Ashford is a really nice town, at least Hong Kong people will feel comfortable here, without too much pressure, and it feels safer than big cities. For those who are new to the UK, I believe that towns like this would be a good settling point.