Nice south coast towns - Kent/East Sussex

[SarfEasticated]

Hot on the heels of my idea of moving further out to Norwood etc, I have gone one step further and am now thinking of leaving London altogether.

Am thinking of Eastbourne/Hastings/Folkestone and any of the towns in between. I would ideally like a sandy beach rather than a pebble beach, and would like to be able to a decent 3 bed house for under £275k. Journey time to London wouldn't be a deal breaker as we would look for jobs locally. Would like to get to London in under 1hr 45 mins though.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about - gorgeous!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46279178.html

This between a Hythe and Sandgate? (Just thought I'd do some vicarious house hunting: don't mind me

I'll shut up now

The difference in what you get fer yer money is huge.
When we sold up (Croydon/Upper Norwood) to move down here we got a 4 bedroom with a third of an acre, a 2 bedroom to rent out for income, and are mortgage free. We'd owned the house for 20 years though, and were more interested in living a 'small' life than having a carriage drive and a pool. We were totally burnt out.
I find trips up the smoke very stressful now, and don't relax again till I'm south of Maidstone!

Thank you home please keep em coming. I don't know which areas are the best, so yours and springs recommendations are gratefully received (and yours too of course pitch)

That's exactly how I feel spring burnt out. London living is great if you have a job where your salary goes up with the cost of housing :& we will never be mortgage free if we stay here, we'll maybe in 20 yrs time, and I am heartily sick of the corporate world. I'd like a small life too!

If you like, but can't afford, Brighton (like me), I really like Saltdean. 5 miles down the coast from Brighton, but quite a village-y feel. I don't think you'll get a wow-factor house for your budget (we bought a slightly shabby 3 bed 60s bungalow for £275k last year but prices have risen since), and there's a pebble beach.

But: lots of cycle routes, either along the promenade into Brighton, or over the cliffs into Eastbourne, or across the Downs towards Lewes. Also a great cafe on the cliffs overlooking the beach. The train from Brighton to London is the quickest in this region, and the station is around 30 minutes by bus, so just within your timescale. I think Brighton is one of the easiest places to find work on the south coast as well.

I have a soft spot for Eastbourne, and I think Seaford could be lovely, but isn't quite there. The countryside between the two is absolutely beautiful though.

I made the move down from a crappy part of London 9 months ago and don't think I'll ever regret it. Good luck!

Headcorn is really nice too, although a bit further inland. The epitome of English town. Think the trains go into the City side.
DNephew is very happy at the primary school there.

Thanks hobbes both places look v nice. Just a bit too expensive for my 'mortgage free' plan.

I live in Ramsgate. I have written about it a bit on similar threads recently. Ramsgate is now part of the area we call Thanet - made up of Ramsgate, Broadstairs & Margate & villages.
There are pros and cons to the areas. You can certainly get a nice 3 bed house for less than £275 (less than £250 even) in the area depending what you want.
Also - are schools an issue for you?

Hi 'mrstp' the planet Thanet is well known to me as I was born there and lived there until I was 18. Unfortunately I still have a feeling of dread whenever I go there so won't be moving back. I do wish the area well and hope it continues to prosper.

Hythe and Sandgate much, much nicer than Folkestone (MIL near Hythe, FIL in Sandgate both v happy). Hastings would be a no no for me especially as the secondary schools have been struggling recently. Even Dave Miliband was down there recently because he's worried about regeneration and the underachievement in southern coastal towns.

Rye is lovely but vv expensive. Tenterden and Goudhurst also lovely but lack of train services will limit you.

Canterbury is great and as a university town, it's probably more diverse and vibrant than the other big Kent towns. Good links into London.

Ashford has got the fastest link into London if that's all important.

But nice coastal towns in the South East are certainly not cheap.

Rye is lovely and cheaper thank the surrounding villages especially cranbrook . Also next door to camber which has best beach in the south east - wouldn't advise living there not that great an area. Hastings is ok but has some rough areas . Bexhill is nicer . Loads of lovely places in East Sussex just be careful that they are easily accessible for major roads or you can get a bit cut off

Sandgate is basically a through road to folkestone, its not villagey or particuarly nice, just very expensive because its by the sea. . Hawkinge is nice, its expanding at quite a rate with lots of new builds but theres older more rural houses too. its a 10 minute drive to folkestone and 30 mins to canterbury, 2 minutes off the m20\a20 and reasonably priced

sEAFORD

Well pitch I will take your recommendation seriously and will look at Hawkinge :) poiny seaford is a bit too expensive - hoping to get 3 bed house for under £275k.

Maybe try newington as well, its close to folkestone but not too close. Capel le ferne is 10 minutes outside folkey on a cliff its nice and quiet there but then youre heading towards dover way

We really like the beaches at Littlestone and Greatstone, and Camber so thanks for the Rye recommendation fbg67, is there perchance a decent coffee seller there?

One of Eastbourne's biggest draws is the Urban Ground coffee shop, and also the great second hand book shop Tomes.

Thanks everyone for all of your help - much appreciated :)

Controversial, as everyone else seems to hate Folkestone, but I think the West End of Folkestone has some gorgeous houses and the town itself has more and more nice little cafes. I'd consider moving back if work was a bit more flexible.

Walmer?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48276122.html

sunshine I am pro-Fo can you tell me nice bits? Don't have to be posh, just no druggies. We went to the triennial 3 years ago and really liked it. Hoping to go there in a few weeks to look around. I actually prefer the idea of being in town as don't particularly want to drive anywhere!

Thanks talking but I think Walmer might be too far round. Lovely house though :)

Another Pro-Fo here (my user name may provide a clue....)

Folkestone is definitely on the up, money being spent, travel amazingly good esp now with fast train etc. West End is where you want to be

Feel free to link me to some bargains in nice areas - I'm finding it all a bit too much! 3 bed or more for under £275k
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/33915471#TxPwch0ggJfqOpMt.97
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/34203517#0WvEMs2MZ7sWl9Vl.97

Deal nr Dover...........ok we have a pebble beach, but its a fantastic beach esp when all the wild flowers are out. We can often look across to the cliffs of France! Its a lovely lovely town, nice shops, tea rooms, bags of character, great market, good local theatre, lovely pier and lots of houses within your budget...............would never live anywhere else!