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Original poster

Anyone from Sandgate or Hythe or Folkestone out there?

27 replies

Besidetheseaside14 · 03/12/2014 15:04

Hello.... Husband, two year old daughter and I plus an awful lot of packing boxes have just moved to Sandgate after half a life time (mine that is) in North London. HEEEEELP! How do I meet people? What are the decent playgroups? Who else enjoys watching their child trash the sitting room with a large glass of wine in hand (mine again, obviously)?

I know there's a playgroup at Sandgate library on Mondays but until I manage to change it (or face skipping it) that's our nursery day along with Wednesday. So any tips on groups gratefully received.

And anyone out there fancy a coffee? Loaf looks great. Happy to travel further afield, have a car. Daughter is at Hythe Bay nursery so we're in and out of Hythe all the time plus exploring Folkestone. Love to get to know the surrounding villages too.

All tips welcome...

Julia

OP posts:
SophieDR · 05/12/2014 00:10

Hi Julia

Saw your post and had to reply as your situation is very similar to mine a few years ago. I moved out of North London (N1) to Folkestone a few years ago with husband and small children and its the best thing we ever did! Deciding to make the move is the hard part! It may not feel like it this time of year, but this is a wonderful place to live, particularly when the weather gets better!

In terms of playgroups, I'm probably a bit out of touch as mine are now at school. However, I used to go to Caterpillars in the Children's Centre in Cheriton on Friday mornings which was a friendly group.

Feel free to message me if you have any local questions or fancy a chat.

Original poster
Besidetheseaside14 · 07/12/2014 10:27

Hi, thanks so much for responding, it's great to hear such a ringing endorsement. Would love to hear more about your transition. Will figure out how to message you now.... All best, Julia

OP posts:
Armstrong · 12/12/2014 21:58

Hi Julia - I can't be any help as currently live in Cambridge but we're hoping to move to Hythe in the next few months! It all feels a bit daunting! Shall be following to see any tips you get :) hope you're enjoying it by the sea!!

Onthebeachagain · 02/01/2015 13:14

I'm a bit out of touch but the family liaison officer (FLO ) at HB should be able to give you a list of playgroups etc

Welcome to the SE btw !

emlia1980 · 27/01/2015 09:40

Hi!
We are planning a move from 7oaks to Sandgate with our 2.5 year old girl so would love to meet up with some local Mummys! We will be hopefully moving around easter time :)

Please share the knowledge! Loaf is lovely, was in there with DD yesterday afternoon after a viewing of a house we are offering on!

xx

Stylishstile · 22/03/2015 22:37

Hi

Not sure if this post is still active ...

We're not quite there yet but looking to move to Folkestone, possibly via Ashford temporarily, in the next year. A bit of a strange one as will be here in London for the birth in August and then moving down in October. I'm a bit of a planner so wondering about people's thoughts on childcare and the commute., plus any other fbook groups etc to join. I grew up in Ashford, so know Folkestone a little but not from the having a young baby perspective ....

Nefeli15 · 31/03/2015 21:49

Hello,

We have only just moved to West Folkestone from North London with my family. I have a son who is turning 3 in a few months and would like to meet other mums in the area. Please contact me if you're living in Folkestone/Sandgate area and are interested in meeting up. Also if there are any mums with children that are growing up bilingual I'd be interested in sharing experiences.

QueerAsFolkestone · 23/06/2015 15:12

Just seen this thread - I live in Folkestone with two children, happy to respond to PMs about groups, preschools etc :)

KateN12 · 01/07/2015 15:20

Hi

I am about to move to Sandgate from London with my toddler and new born baby. I am SO NERVOUS about leaving London and not meeting any like minded people!

I am excited about Sandgate but would love to meet people with young toddlers and babies esp in Sandgate!

emlia1980 · 01/07/2015 21:45

Hi Kate, Where abouts in Sandgate are you moving to? xx

luckylambchop · 22/07/2015 20:19

Hi everyone, I will be moving to Hythe later this year all being well. Just had an offer accepted on a house so early days but am crossing everything that we'll be there before too long!

What I am absolutely dreading is attempting to find a school place that isn't 800 miles away for DD, who will be in Year 2. Anyone got any words of wisdom on that? :)

emlia1980 · 23/07/2015 09:24

You'll be fine getting into Saltwood school if you are church goers or isn't there Hythe Bay school? Cheriton Primary will have places too :)

KateN12 · 23/07/2015 12:00

For reassurance, luckylambchop. Someone I know moved to Sandgate area with 2 kids years 2 and 4 and they got in to both schools they applied to. Both very popular schools and both less than a mile from them

luckylambchop · 23/07/2015 13:32

Ooh thank you, guys! Do you really think it will be OK? I was imagining driving for miles every day, just assumed all the schools would already be full.

I am not sure how many schools to apply to, we will be near Saltwood and Hythe Bay school, both are C of E but we don't go to church, according to Kent council we should still be offered a space if one is available but whether that's true in practice I am not sure! I would love to be able to walk to school if possible and we'll be less than a mile from both of those.

Onthebeachagain · 25/07/2015 10:48

Hello lucky , another option is St Augustines primary school ( a very nice school )The benefit of that is they are a feeder school for the secondary Catholic schools in Canterbury and Dover so you won't have to worry about the selection process later on

luckylambchop · 15/09/2015 12:40

Argh. Moving middle of next month so emailed all schools within a 3 mile radius of our house to see if anywhere might have a place - no places anywhere. I will just have to desperately hope something changes in the next few weeks! Argh!

Armstrong · 22/09/2015 12:05

How's the move going lucky? We're hoping to move to hythe in the next few weeks, just waiting to exchange!

luckylambchop · 23/09/2015 10:30

Hello, Armstrong! It's going OK, I think. We're "working towards" (solicitor speak) week beginning 19th Oct for moving.

Whereabouts in Hythe are you moving to, if that isn't too stalkerish a question?

We are all super excited and terrified in equal measures! How about you?

Armstrong · 01/10/2015 16:56

Same - excited and terrified!! Can't wait to move but bit daunting not knowing anyone!! We complete next Thursday, moving into a house just off London Road - packing madly to get everything ready!! Where abouts are you moving to?

luckylambchop · 01/10/2015 21:03

Hiya, we are moving to Cliff Road. We won't know anyone either although the inlaws are moving too (different house!). Currently having a mad clear out in advance of the dreaded packing - where did all this STUFF come from???
Let me know how you get on, good luck! :)

Armstrong · 09/10/2015 21:42

We moved in yesterday, surrounded by boxes thinking we have FAR too much stuff!! So pleased to have finally moved though - have you managed to get a school place yet?

luckylambchop · 10/10/2015 11:09

Yay! You did it!! We STILL haven't exchanged! But I have hopes for exchange next week....if the solicitors can manage to spell my husband's name correctly on the paperwork..

There is a place for her at Palmarsh school, which is nice but further away than I would like. Still, it's a place, yay! We will probably go on the waiting list for a closer school though. Are your children school age?

Happy unpacking! Even though you still have lots to do it must be such a relief to finally be there.

Armstrong · 27/10/2015 23:22

How's the move going? I've got a 3 year old and 1 year old so no school places to worry about, although will have to apply soon for next year.
It's really great being here, has made such a change to us as a family already!

luckylambchop · 02/12/2015 17:03

Hello, sorry for massive silence. We are finally here, moved on the 19th! Brilliantly we were offered a place at a closer school the day after we moved so I never did have do attempt a mammoth school run. Really loving it but it is a BIG change for me. This morning I was pining for Wilkos ha ha. Have you made many friends? I keep grinning inanely at the school mums and although they are all nice I really feel like an outsider. All in good time I guess. :)

saltyann · 24/01/2016 10:34

hi there
we are considering a similar move to a village that is close to either folkestone or ashford for the hs1. I was wondering how you have all found the move and the settling in process? How is it for young families? is there lots to do? how is the hs1 commute? We have a 4 year old and a 8 month baby. Have lived in London most of my life, so it feels daunting to leave but the open space and houses are just too appealing....