Where to move to the seaside ... not too far from London!

[RooTwo]

We are very keen to move out of London and to somewhere near the sea, but that has decent ish trains back into London so that DH and I can commute a few days a week. We have a budget of up to 600 (very top) for a house and need at least 3 bedrooms, good primaries for kids (years 3 and 1). Would like to be somewhere a bit buzzy and friendly ... looking at Whistable, Hove at the mo (Brighton somewhat does my head in for some reason). Would like to be in Sussex/Kent really so can be near family in South London. Any other suggestions or ideas for places - and does anyone know what Hove is like? I've never actually been but heard nice things, vaguely ...

I would've thought that if Brighton does your head in Hove would too? The boundaries aren't that defined, basically just one big city but slightly quieter on the Hove side.

smogwod that may well be true - I just thought Hove was a bit quieter than Brighton - central Brighton feels a bit manic. I really need to go and have a visit!

Rye? 37 minutes to Ashford then another 18 to London.
No idea about the schools
I know you want to be south but have you considered places on the Essex coast, but you will become very well acquainted with M25 and Dartford crossing when you want to visit your family.

I live in Tankerton, just along from Whitstable. It's a really friendly town with lots going on and Canterbury is only six miles away. I love living by the sea but also having Blean woods and the north downs so close. There is a fast (ish) train up to London, I think an hour or so or 1 hour 20 mins for normal one.

Swalecliffe school was great for my DS but later on you do have the decision of whether to sit Kent Test for secondary schools.

Your budget is very healthy for the area and there are lots of lovely houses in this price range.

Hope that helps.

Hove is lovely but schools are a problem very oversubscribed.

I live in Hove. Its a really nice, family friendly place. There is also a good buzz around the place with loads to do for kids and adults alike. I am currently going through the schools admissions process for year 6 entry for my dd. I do agree with what was said upthread about good schools being very oversubscribed.

Brighton is just down the road with even more to do, but can be bit full on and I think Hove is great for families.

I was going to say Rye

If Brighton does your head in, avoid Whitstable!

I reckon that Margate is the place to go. Whatever the current locals say!

Ramsgate is lovely, beautiful period properties - same for Broadstairs, personally I think Margate still has a way to go before gentrification.... We go quite often for the weekend, not sure what it would be like to live there full time though.

My friend loved living in Lewes, many liberals there for a relatively quiet place. I don't know about schools though.

I would love to live in Broadstairs. It would be my first choice if I was looking to live in a seaside town with a sandy beach, within ok distance of London.

I reckon in 5-10 years Margate will be unrecognisable. You heard it here first!

Rhino, whatsthe Kent test? We are moving to Broadstairs/Ramsgate soon and i have no idea, is is it the 11+? What do I need to know?

I live in Hove and love it but agree with everything already said re proximity to Brighton and oversubscribed schools, so how about Worthing - don't laugh! It's a really lovely town, great trains into London, good schools and you could have a massive, fantastic house there.

If anyone buys a house in Margate on th strength of this thread, and makes a fortune in 10 years, I expect a cut....

660k house in Worthing

600 not 660. That would be ridiculous.

Rhino, 18 and 4 ( one just finishef, one just starting!) Living in south London atbthe moment but totally priced out, originally from Tankerton but dont want to return there. Quite like the look of Ramsgate, the West Side, any advice welcome

Goring

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30813466.html

right on the sea front, about half a mile from the station and on budget

Thanks Rhino, interesting that the Dumpton Park area is not so good, I wasnt keen on it as I prefer the other side towards Pegwell Bay, but the estate agents keep call it desirable this is where first hand knowledge is valuable, so thanks

Sorry op for the hijack, good luck with your search.

I would check the cost of the commutes if you will head to London regularly on the train. You might decide to rule a few places out on that basis, it can be horrifically expensive. Peak day ticket from Hove £45.80 which is cheap compared to fast train from Broadstairs is £67.60. Even on weekends I think the off peak Broadstairs day ticket is £35. We seriously considered moving there, but the cost of the rail fares was prohibitive. We wanted to be accessible to London, but the fares made Broadstairs financially inaccessible. Feel sorry for the people living there and the London kids from families that don't own cars, they will never get a day trip to Broadstairs/Ramsgate/Margate at that price. Mary Portas had it right, to get more day trippers you need £10 return fares.