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Original poster

To move to Folkestone - tell me all!

158 replies

Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 20:14

Hi everyone,

We are considering a move to Folkestone from Portslade as the schools are better and we would like to get a bit more for our money. We have a budget of 700k max, have three children toddler -age 7. We are quite alternative and like the liberal feel of Brighton but can't afford a decent house and garden there. Have read through some awful threads about Folkestone but no recent ones. So, is it nice? Schools look excellent, are there plenty of things to do with kids, similar to Brighton and Portslade? We like where we live but are fed up of having a tiny garden. No need to commute to London anymore. Any advice much appreciated! Thanks!

OP posts:
TheClitterati · 30/05/2020 22:15

I moved to Folkestone with my two daughters 2 1/2 years ago. It's paradise we love it. We live in the suburbs in a house I bought for third of your budget. With your budget you can buy a beautiful mansion lovely garden the works. Have a look on Rightmove. We've been swimming every day this week. My daughter goes to grammar school. It's gorgeous here.

LunaDeet · 30/05/2020 22:12

Seasalter** stupid phone

LunaDeet · 30/05/2020 22:09

Birchington is a retirement home by the sea! So dull. I’d probably opt for Deal over Folkestone. It’s well kept, has a lovely high street and isn’t so racist. Folkestone is pro Brexit because of the demise of their fishing industry, and really does have an ‘anti’ vibe at the moment sadly.

Faversham is really nice and closer to London.

There’s a tiny place just outside of Whitstable called Seasaltzer. I think you could find a nice home there and be really close to all the towns along the coast as well.

OhTheRoses · 30/05/2020 21:56

OP I agree with comments about Margate. Even in Fanitt it's known as Margitt. I can hear my mother now. "Tracey Emin, famous - you would never have been allowed to play with a child from there Grin.

MaxNormal · 30/05/2020 21:49

Here's a nice one for you to look at Smile

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/89218943

OhTheRoses · 30/05/2020 21:48

Places like Birchington might be worth a look OP. My parents lived in Rottingdean when I was born - in 1960 - it was more expensive than most of Brighton then ! We moved when I was 7 but used to go back to the Lido in Saltdean I think.

Racheyg · 30/05/2020 21:34

Op avoid Margate. There is a small area in Margate that is nice the rest is so run down.

I have friends that lived in Folkestone and a lot of it was quite rough. A shall part of the town and seaside were nice though

Whitstable is nice and some good schools in the area. 700k will get you a nice house there

DappledThings · 30/05/2020 21:34

I'm in a village just outside. It's such a mixed town. The beach and the coastal park are fantastic, it's great for arts and food. Loads of lovely restaurants and bars opening all the time. Just hope they survive the lockdown. Harbour Arm is great.

But main bit of high street is pretty grim clothes shops are limited to Primark, New Look and Choices.

You can see the two sides online too. The local FB groups are full of amazing community arts projects, history and innovation. But on the other side there's a fuckload of casual racism that is really quite grim.

We found a village that is close to Folkestone so we can use all the good bits of that and close to Ashford for really quick commuting. We have the best of all worlds!

Original poster
Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 21:31

Thanks so much, just the info I needed. Got Hythe, Whitstable and others on the list. Also Saltdean. Thanks again.

OP posts:
MaxNormal · 30/05/2020 21:27

Folkestone?! With that budget you can get something nice near Brighton. What about Rottingdean or Saltdean? You'll have the Lido then as well.

MadameMarie · 30/05/2020 21:13

Kent people are the friendliest in the country, salt of the earth folk (not sure where you're moving from).

If you get the chance to go, go.

TwinMumSuperHero · 30/05/2020 21:13

700k will get you a hell of a lot down here :) all the places mentioned above are really lovely. Whitstable would be really affordable or Deal. Hythe is nice too but a bit more retirement-y. Westgate/Broadstairs more than Margate. Anywhere along the Kent coast really.

Folkestone is OK but either pretty fancy or absolutely definitely not fancy. The creative Quarter has had lots of money pumped in but the areas around it are not so great. Unfortunately it's a case of coming down and having a stroll around when things are more normal to see what suits you. But 700k will get you a long way :)

HeyThereDelilah1 · 30/05/2020 21:08

Look at Hythe, down the road from Folkestone but a million times nicer and with an alternative / arty scene. I grew up there and now live in London, the only scary experiences I’ve had at night have been in Folkestone, there’s a lot of poverty and huge drug problems.

Original poster
Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 20:50

Thanks so much, loads of really helpful replies, brilliant!

OP posts:
YouokHun · 30/05/2020 20:45

Hernia Bay Grin

OhTheRoses · 30/05/2020 20:41

It used to be very nice. My grandparents farmed between Folkestone and Canterbury. I had a lovely boyfriend once who lived in Sandgate which was lovely. Eurotunnel is fab.

For schools there are much nicer places: Wingham, Chartham, even Minster. Folkestone is no longer nice. It is very sad. Not sure nowadays about Deal and Walmer. Faversham might be worth a look. Hernia Bay is probably better.

Lucygucy · 30/05/2020 20:38

Do you need train links? If not I would look at the smaller villages around Folkestone, Ashford and Canterbury. You are more likely to get a better property with a better garden out of the towns.
Are you looking at primary or secondary school? The schools are ok but not the best ever. Also worth knowing that Kent still has the 11+ grammar school system.

HoneyWheeler · 30/05/2020 20:33

I haven't lived in Folkestone but we've recently visited and it has undergone huge regeneration in the last five years. There are loads of quirky shops and bars, and loads of lovely restaurants and coffee shops! It made me want to move there. I know that part of Kent is getting a lot of funding for regeneration and it is unrecognisable from a couple of years ago.

But as I said, I haven't lived there, but I was impressed when we visited!!

Original poster
Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 20:29

Thank you, loved Whitstable when we visited, just assumed it would be too expensive.

OP posts:
Original poster
Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 20:28

Also Landing and Worthing aren't really what we are after just now.

OP posts:
bookgirl1982 · 30/05/2020 20:28

With that budget I'd look at Deal, Sandwich, Whitstable, Rye

HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/05/2020 20:28

Folkestone a bit of a seasonal shit hole isn't it?!

Original poster
Putthedamnlidonit · 30/05/2020 20:27

We did consider these but still haven't found the large garden within budget.

OP posts:
feliciabirthgiver · 30/05/2020 20:27

What about moving further West eg Shoreham, Lancing, Worthing?