leaving London for Folkestone

[TAG30]

So after years of thinking about it, weve decided its now or never to leave London and its expense and find cheaper housing.
After months of research and visits we've settled on Folkestone to move to in the summer holidays. My husband will use the high speed into central London (he gets free travel so thats not a problem) and i have applied for nurse jobs at the William Harvey and Canterbury Hospital (if anyone has any nursing experience at these hospitals id love to hear what its like to work there).
Anyone else done this? Would love to hear any stories about relocating to Folkestone especially from London.
Also, if anyone could recommend any local dance clubs id appreciate that as my 11 year old currently dances and would like to continue. Were not sure what school she will go to but any views on the local secondary schools would also be appreciated smile

Sallyforth if it's Broadmead or Lynwood they're nice
Just avoid the Park Farm Industrial estate at 3 to 3.40 and 5.15 to 5.45 as the Folkestone Academy entrances are there and it's rammed with cars

Ah, we'll be right by the industrial estate, initially at least. At least I'll be at work till 7pm!

Cool! Great shops and B & M Home Bargains is coming soon

Is it true that it's very hard to register with a GP practice in Folkestone now? I just read this www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/27/gps-surgeries-shutting-brighton-family-doctors and it said that 7 out of 8 GP surgeries are trying to close their books to new patients. That's a bit worrying, DD needs to see a doctor every few months

Don't do Margate! I'm convinced that all the people who keep insisting it's up and coming have never been and just keep saying it hoping one day it will be true. Honestly Dreamland is exactly like that Banksy exhibition, Dismaland. There are junkies everywhere, constant fights at the weekend. Then the odd hipster here and there riding a unicycle to their vegan cafe looking sad because it's so very different to what the Guardian told them.

Aww this thread has made me all nostalgic. I grew up in Sandgate (the hill leading into Folkestone - I remember it being shut when the Tour de France came through and we all got Motorola gossip bags and spent many a weekend in the town centre in Folkestone and on the Leas watching the Air Show! Also used to love getting a Rotunda wristband and seeing all the stalls and the meat van at the Sunday Market. The Silver Screen cinema was lovely but from googling it's gone now :(

I moved to Devon when I was 11 and have been here over 20 years but I still call Folkestone home - even though I last visited about 13 years ago!!

Good luck all those moving to Folkestone - many happy memories there! Oh and The Hythe an Dymchurch Railway is also a great day out, I think it's still running!

I remember it as a child and loved the beach, open air swimming pool, paddling pool, skating rink and waltzers. Capel-le-Ferne is great and we used to go down the cliffs to the beaches and apron below. Folkestone town centre and Rotunda has been vandalised by the town planners if you ask me.

THere is no rotunda anymore 😢 just a great big car park

The other cinema is still
There silve screen - tiny smelly and cramped haha

Harbour arm and the
New boardwalk, the coastal park, new play area in Radnor Park, it’s all beautiful but gawd some parts are scabby and full of skanky folk 😂

The Silver Screen is very much still here, it has one large auditorium with a balcony (seats are vintage but the prevailing smell is of popcorn) and another newly refurbished smaller screen. They show kids' films for £2.50 on weekend mornings and there's a really nice small new museum of the town downstairs - mine like the Plimsoll Line and Morse code interactive exhibits and the drawers full of fossils and shells.

Chester I don't think the town planners had much to do with the destruction of the rotunda, I believe we have the former owner Jimmy's Godden to thank for that...

Waving at those who've moved here recently or are going to! I recommend walking up Castle Hill (you can park just off the junction 13 roundabout and walk up in 20 minutes, easy for children in wellies) on a clear day to get a great view of the whole layout of the town and beyond.

Puddock look at old pictures of the main town centre from the 60s/70s and you will see that the heart of Folkestone was destroyed for a road. It was a lovely place.
There were plans for development of the Rotunda and the owner of Saga has, I believe, heavily invested in the town. I lived at Capel-le-Ferne on the cliffs and have wonderful memories of Folkestone.

Another Londoner jumping ship and moving to Folkestone - Will be there about Feb 2018.

TAG did your DD get into Folkestone Girls? How is she getting on?

My London kids are very excited about moving to Folkestone. I will be working from home and commuting to London office one day a week. I will need to find after school care for one day a week. Not sure which primary school we will be going to yet - whichever has space I imagine.

Then the odd hipster here and there riding a unicycle to their vegan cafe looking sad because it's so very different to what the Guardian told them.

You made me laugh with this

We’ve moved in today! Pretty close to the part of town. All seems really nice - One happy family here 😁

Congratulations Lurks & all the best for your new life in Folkestone.

I was just looking at the fancy restaurant Rock Salt and the champagne bar at the Lighthouse!! Did you see there are TWO vinyl record shops in the Creative Quarter.

I have visions of after school strolls along the beach this summer ....

Rocksalt is lovely...it was our frequent visits to there that convinced us to take the plunge. Air is lovely and fresh and everyone seems so friendly! It’s bliss so far 😁😁😁

Welcome Lurks!
Not a fan of Rocksalt myself but 🥂🍾 fond of the champagne bar and harbour arm
Have you found Radnor Park yet?
Brew cafe
Oh The Loaf in Sangate
Kids Planet in Cheriton?

Hi QOD...we need to try out all of those places! Thanks for the recommendations . We did make it to the Gurkha Palace after a long day unpacking yesterday for a reviving curry!

I drove passed Gurkha Palace a few times when we had a day down there recently house hunting!

Also I took a wrong turn and ended up at Kids Planet - the DC got very excited.

The sports centre/swimming pool is great. last year when we visited it was half term and if you were over 10yo, you could be dropped off there for the day and do all the different activities in the sports centre for £10. I just can't imagine that happening in London :)

Hello All,

My family and I will be relocating from SE London (Bromley) to Folkestones in the next few weeks
I am looking for a Nursery or Pre-school for my daughter who’s 3
Do any of you know where’s good or could you recommend anywhere?
I’ve put her down for Sandgate primary in September bur had no luck with Greenfields

Thanks

playbox-daynursery.co.uk/
Have a look at Playbox. They have moved premises since my DS2 went there, but we were very happy with them.
Good luck with the move! Anything else you want to ask about?

Hi Puddock,

Thanks for getting back to me
Ok - think I’ve seen that one pop up whilst googling, il check it out.

Anything else really? Any Dos and Donts? Good activities or days out for kids? (Other than the little railway)
Also, what’s the best Indian & Chinese take away!?

I’ve passed Loaf in Sandgate a few times and will try it out

Thanks

Takeaways always useful to know about!
We usually get Nepalese from the Gurkha Palace, and fish and chips (huge portions) from the Corner Plaice. Not sure about Chinese (I think Hop Kweng is old-school but popular) but the Thai place in Sandgate is good I'm told. Follies for (eat-in) pizza in town.

Erm, days out : Lower Leas coastal park and Harbour Arm (connected by boardwalk now), the Warren, along the leas, Brockhill Country Park, Elham Valley railway museum (not the same as the RH&DR railway),

Bit further away, for a day out : Canterbury, Dover Castle, Deal (easy on the train)... if you like cycling this place near Deal is great www.betteshanger-park.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/

Anyone else got suggestions ?

Hello all! We’re moving to Folkestone next month with our 3yo DS. In June there’ll be another DC joining us.

We’ve just secured our accommodation and it looks like we’re quite near Castle Hill primary. I’m just wondering if anybody can tell me about the nursery there, my DS has additional needs (probable ASD) and I’m trying to find the right place for him.

V excited to finally move back to my home county after 12 years in London!

There is a children's centre called The Village right next to Castle Hill, I think the nursery is connected to both of them. If I'm right about that, then a friend's child, who had similar needs, did really well there, she found them very caring and responsive.