If you are in any doubt about moving to Folkestone then don't do it. It's clearly not going to match your Clapham or Islington standards that you clearly can't afford but will never get used to so just get back on the Foxtons website and knuckle down to play your part in the mass social cleansing of London as you get into the bidding war on an 'ex-local authority' 3 bed flat near to where you want to be seen to be.
Anyway, back on to Folkestone. We were dubious about the move, it's scary, the commute is a big chunk of income and the local amenities are variable. However, after living in a 1 bed flat on the northern line but having to wait 20 mins to get on a tube at 8am for the 20 min journey to town each morning and bursting at the seams in our flat something had to give. We looked at a lot of commuter locations - we truly were priced out of London and did not want to give it up but it had to be done if we were to have any sort of life beyond a clothes horse and side ways shuffle to get in the shower.
We moved to Folkestone in Autumn 2014 (probably not the most romantic time of year) The change has made me and my OH far more organised and the journey is not that bad at all - we are either getting a head start on work or catching (or watching iplayer). Now that spring has arrived we are really enjoying escaping for walks on the seafront and sitting in the garden which is out first garden ever. I think we thought Folkestone would be a harsh reality (based on some of these posts - by yuppies who don't live on Folkestone?) but how wrong we were. We have the most lovely neighbours and immediately a real sense of community. There are so many young people and families who have made the move and we have made some good friends on the commute. Some of our fellow commuters have even been to a supper club which we will go to - a monthly get together of mainly ex-Londoners for good food and drink in changing locations.
The best part of the Folkestone snobbery is that it is what you make it - yes the travel costs around £6k a year (a month or 2 mortgage payment in London) but we have a lovely home that we can grow in to in a strong community. The snobbery keeps the prices affordable and there are some stunning Edwardian and Victorian homes begging to be loved with vast amounts of space for under £350k close to the stations.
So here is the London snob coming out of me. We have a lovely spacious home that we bought for around £300k - it would be at least £1.7million back in the smoke and just a dream. We are ten mins from the train, ten mins from the beach, 45 mins from France, 52 minutes from London. 15 minutes drive to Waitrose in Hythe, 5 mins to Sainsburys, 25 mins drive to waitrose and John Lewis in Ashford, 35 mins to stunning canterbury and its amazing shops and restaurants, the whole coast is stunning, 10 minutes walk to Rocksalt for the best cocktails and Lunch on the terrace, 20 minutes walk to sand gate - the antiques shops and restaurants - Loaf for Lunch, the Ship for dinner or drinks on the terrace in the sun overlooking the english channel. Rye is about 35-40 minutes drive and you can't beat a walk around the shops, film at the picture house and sunday dinner on a moody sunday. The list goes on.
The worst part is Folkestone town centre - even the creative quarter has struggled the last few years and it's a real shame that the creative quarter don't actively open shops or galleries in the empty units to give things a kick start. I know this sounds bad but you have to think London - train- HOME-beach-etc not just feel like you are doomed by the town centre. It will get better and the local groups, societies and artists are a credit to what it can and hopefully will be.
So that's my bit - I really do think I would miss London a lot more if I did not work there but even St.Pancras station has amazing shops for commuting purchases and although I miss town I always look forward to getting 'home' to Folkestone, enjoying our lovely home, chatting to our neighbours, bbqs in the coastal park - you can't beat it. OK so there is a long way to go in Folkestone town centre but I love the fact that Folkestone is never in danger of being gentrified but it also has enough good people looking after it's interests.