St Mary's Island is a distinctive marina setting that stands apart from the rest of Medway, with property prices running well above the local average thanks to its waterside location. It's a safe, well-equipped place to live, with a "Good" rated primary school on the island itself, two GP practices and a hospital within easy reach. Dining out is a strong point too, with 12 restaurants plus a good spread of pubs and cafés. The coastal position brings drier, sunnier weather and good air quality, though public transport is limited, so you'll want a car. Road links to Chatham and the M2 are good, which helps make up for that. The surrounding neighbourhoods of Chatham Central & Brompton and Gillingham North offer a very different proposition: more affordable housing, with terraces averaging between £238,000 and £256,000, and direct rail links to London from stations right in the neighbourhood. Both areas have strong primary school options, with Gillingham North offering a particularly good run of "Good"-rated schools and nine parks, while Chatham Central benefits from the "Outstanding" Fort Pitt Grammar nearby. Crime has historically run above the national average in both, but 2026 figures show a clear downward trend, bringing them closer to typical levels. Across the wider area, a few themes stand out: excellent air quality throughout, good access to healthcare and schools, and improving crime figures. The main variation is lifestyle and budget. St Mary's Island suits buyers after a premium waterside setting with strong local amenities and are happy to drive, while Chatham Central and Gillingham North offer better value, stronger transport connections to London, and a more traditional urban feel with plenty of shops, cafés and schools close at hand.