Moving to Margate

[LoisMae]

Hey, we’re thinking of moving from London to Margate this Summer. My daughter will be going into y3 in September. I’ve seen previous threads where people are saying Broadstairs is a better option? But I know Margate is changing fast and wondered you can advise me about what it’s like to live there now and what the schools are like? Thanks so much

[84CharingCrossRoad]

Westgate is lovely. I'm biased as my DS has lived in both. Westgate has a village feel. Co-op, pubs, cheap cinema., railway station. I feel safer at night there than Margate.
Don't know much about the schools as DS went to a special school. You could join New Thanet Chat group on FB and ask there....

[LoisMae]

Thank you 😊 I’ll check out the Facebook group.

[mumfail]

I'm from Thanet originally but have lived everywhere and then came back when I had children. We now own a restaurant in Margate which is massively popular with the DFLs (down from London). Broadstairs is very family oriented with a bigger aged population and some good schools - both of mine are at school there. However, Margate is far more vibrant and lively with a very creative crowd moving in and bringing it back up. If you've lived in London, the 'danger' locals talk about will barely be noticeable and I have never felt unsafe walking home alone at night which I do often. If you're looking at Facebook groups, then also join Broadstairs SOS which I think of as Mumsnet for Bradstonians! Or Margate Creatives and MILK Margate. And do pop in to any of the shops, cafes and restaurants in Margate as so many of them are owned or run by people who have been where you are now and taken the leap. HTH!

[LoisMae]

Love this! Thank you so much for a great reply 😊 Margate appeals so much more than Broadstairs BUT think we may go for Broadstairs to try and get a good school. Do you live in Margate? Is it possible to live there and send kids to school in Broadstairs? We absolutely love Upton Junior but think this might be a pipe dream as it’s oversubscribed?

[ClaudiaNoah]

Hey ladies!
So I am a single mum, my son is 1 yo and I am running my own business (online shop) we live in London, but I am thinking to move to Margate or Ramsgate. Anyone could advise me about the areas and education level please? Is it safe to live there as a single mum?
Many thanks x

[sticks1]

Hello all,
Lois Mae - did you move?

I am very seriously looking at moving to Thanet from London. We don't own, so we'd be renting and I'm going to see some places on Saturday. The thing I'm worried about is work. My partner could stay in London Mon-Fri but its not ideal and we'd struggle on one income.

I'd be looking for something in Thanet. I could potentially keep my current job in London, work from home 2 days and travel in for 3 but I'd worry about neither of us being close to the kids in an emergency or the trains messing up. Does anybody else do this and have a before school/after school nanny?