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Original poster

Moving to Canterbury

158 replies

Bouham · 04/07/2020 11:59

Hello
We are a family with 3 kids (1 secondary school, 2 primary). We have lived in south east for over 20 years and now decided to move to Canterbury as our daughter got a place in Canterbury Girls Grammar School. We are really struggling to decide which area we should buy/rent as we are not familiar with Canterbury and surroundings. Would anyone please be able to give us some honest advice of which places we should look at and which we should avoid.
Some point to take into consideration:

  • we are family oriented and we want a family friendly are
  • looking for a safe place as we travel a lot and obviously you want your mind at rest when not around
  • good schools (primary)
  • feasible commute to Simon Langtons GGS is a must
  • I need to commute to central London for work (may be one/twice a week)

we have these places in mind:
canterbury central, wincheap, chartham and herne bay...

we really need to honest advice pleeeease

thanks a million

OP posts:
slinkysaluki · 07/07/2020 17:58

Before my time Rachy, only moved to HB in 2005

StayClosePooky · 07/07/2020 18:10

Shepherdswell all the way! Beautiful village, bit closer to Dover and get more for your money

MsSweary · 07/07/2020 18:44

i remember the biz

Interested in this thread?

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General education
MsSweary · 07/07/2020 18:54

@TheoriginalLEM

I moved out of Whitstable to Faversham not very long ago, agree with what you say. I love the town centre which has a proper community feel and quirkiness, great walks and good rail and road links. Plus, (big plus) it's soooo much cheaper than Whitstable.

ChetChet · 07/07/2020 19:39

Noooo. Merchant and Chandler sold pieces of really nice ethical homewares. I still have a setof lamps bought around 16 years ago still going strong. Shame about that.

The Biz! Oh bloody hell Grin

Chienloup · 07/07/2020 19:50

Ha! The Biz! Although I was more of an indie night at The Penny Theatre girl!

I lived in Harbledown when I lived in Canterbury, but this was over 20 years ago, so probably not much use for an opinion!

IndecentFeminist · 07/07/2020 20:35

The biz! What about Churchill's? Aubrey's?

slinkysaluki · 07/07/2020 21:15

McSweary i am considering moving from Broomfield/Herne area. I like Faversham, whereabouts are you ? Whats Oare like ?

Racheyg · 07/07/2020 21:56

@IndecentFeminist I loved Churchill's too. Didn't it turn into a budget supermarket?

Purpleknickers · 07/07/2020 22:31

Whitstable born and bred and my son went to Simon Langton boys just 30 mins on the bus, many years ago I went to Barton Court from Whitstable. If you don’t have your heart set on SLGS then Queen Elizabeth’s in Faversham is a good grammar and house prices cheaper than Whitstable too , easy commute to London from either Whitstable or Faversham PM me if you need specific area/road info

Cupidity · 08/07/2020 13:03

What's your budget? What are your minimum requirements for a house (bedrooms, parking, garden size, garage, detatched/terraced). I'm from Canterbury so happy to recommend which areas to avoid, which areas to go for

googledontknow · 08/07/2020 13:22

@Bouham is being very coy about their budget, not sure why? It's helpful to know a budget as some places mentioned on here are fairly pricey and no point recommending them if they are out of reach.

YouDirtyMare · 08/07/2020 15:15

Has anyone suggested Folkestone or Hythe
They are on the bus route and there's loads to do in the area. Fast train to London etc

mamaoffourdc · 08/07/2020 19:16

I've just moved from stodmarsh, a tiny hamlet outside fordwich - I love it there x

EyyyupButtercup · 22/07/2020 18:37

Just jumping on, as I’m also moving to Canterbury (renting) in the autumn. Does anyone know what the black griffin road area is like?

Maboue · 28/09/2020 17:49

Hi there... I am seeking advices and any guidance would be most welcome! :)
As a family, we have decided to move to Canterbury. My daughter is soon to be 7 and my son is 4. We have found a nice house in the Wincheap area. Coming from South East London (hither green), I am hoping that it won't make a massive different to us as I have noticed the area being a bit rough and under estimated. What is your general feeling about Wincheap? Are there family with young kids living there? and would you say that there is a good sense of community? Can I also ask how open minded is Wincheap as an area and canterbury as a city overall? I am french and have lived in London for the past 18 years, with Brexit happening and the very uncertain world we live in, I am obviously a little worry about it all. Many thanks for your advices/Shared experiences

Original poster
Bouham · 28/09/2020 18:43

@maboue
Happy to help. I will msg you!

OP posts:
MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 28/09/2020 19:02

When I was a student I rented a room in a converted barn in Harbledown. It was the sort of village where people put a vase of flowers and a rug in the phone box. It's a bit of a trek to the centre though. I used to work in Talisman gift shop - I think it's a wine shop now. Like most places it was a bit run down last time I went (about a year ago), but it's still a nice city - not to big and scary for parents of teens but still has plenty to do and lots of life about it. I like student cities though. Hope you find something nice OP.

Twistiesandshout · 04/02/2021 15:27

Hi all,

Jumping on this old thread in the hopes of some responses :)

Moving in the next couple weeks to Canterbury, DH grew up there and ALL his family are in the area. We are finally making the move and have a rental near Simon Langton Girls but there is a house we would love to buy near Sir Roger Manwood.

Does anyone have any information/preference for the langtons vs SRM? I have a yr 6 girl, year 4 boy and little pre school girl. DD passed the test and Langtons was down as our first choice but although DH and entire family seem to have been Langton students I have never seen either school due to Covid.

Any and all advice appreciated!

Thanks :)

Original poster
Bouham · 04/02/2021 17:40

@Twistiesandshout
We moved to Canterbury this summer and so far we love it. We are in the outskirts of Wincheap towards the countryside. My daughter goes to Simon Langton Girls year 7. She loves it (well when she was at school, no remote of course). They have a brand new building, the girls haven’t been there yet as it only been finished in January.
My boy is year 4 Smile at Wincheap school and he loves it so far...and I also have a pre-schooler girl Grin
I have no experience of Sir Roger Manwood I am afraid :-( as we moved from South East London.

Hope this helps :-)

OP posts:
Twistiesandshout · 09/02/2021 22:30

@Bouham

Thanks so much :) So pleased to hear you love it!

Who knows we may end up with kids in the same schools! We are also moving from London and I am hoping this is our forever move. :)

Offer day is coming up soon so we will know if we got Langton!

Original poster
Bouham · 10/02/2021 10:06

@Twistiesandshout
You won’t regret moving out of London esp now with the pandemic and lockdown!!
Good luck and keep me posted :-)

OP posts:
LeoGoul · 08/06/2021 16:22

Hello, please could you share how you got on? DId you find a good location in the area? I am interested in relocating too?

Many thanks

Leona

Original poster
Bouham · 15/06/2021 22:00

@LeoGoul
Not sure who you are addressing but from our end we are happy with the move and would never regret moving out of London Smile
It does depend on what you like in life as well- city vs countryside, busy lifestyle vs calm and peaceful :-)

OP posts:
reddevilchris2018 · 20/07/2021 12:14

Hello Kittyhawke80

What are your thoughts on ramsgate

My mum and I were looking at hitching and west gate but prices have gone crazy that side of Kent whitstable more so.

I keep hearing ramsgate is on the up and getting better … is it ??

Any advice from anyone would be much appreciated especially kitty she Emma to know Thanet Kent very well.

Thank you in advance we have been looking
Completely the other way too Dorset Cornwall are we making a mistake coming to Kent, Rather Than Cornwall ???