Tell me about Margate please

[Almondmilk]

We are both creative, europeans, no kids yet. I don't want to live in London anymore to avoid pollution and stress. But we wish to be able to commute there once a week. Budget K260-280 cash. I would love to hear your thoughts about Margate. Thanks

[JennyHolzersGhost]

I really don't see how 'open minded', 'London vibe' and 'not as far as Norwich' adds up to 'east Kent' ?! Norwich is just under 2 hrs on the train from Liverpool St. Margate is just under 2 hrs from Victoria !

If Brighton is too expensive then how about some of the places nearby ?
I take the point about Southern Trains but other than that I can't see any reason why you can't get what you're looking for around there.

[Artandco]

Norwich is the Sams distance at margate or Brighton commute wise

All the locations you have mentioned will be a long and expensive commute, that's why they are cheaper still. If the commute was easy and cheap, everyone else would also be living in those areas.

You need to go north of London rather than south or south east to get anything cheaper and potentially under 2hrs commute

[Almondmilk]

conserveisposhforjam living around 'open minded' is important, but we aren't the target for racism. Still rather not be around that type of people...

JennyHolzersGhost Yes, places nearby Brighton is probably the best option. I have only visited Brighton & Hove for a few hours so if you have tips let me know please :)
Southern trains are bad for people who commute every day...I don't so it'd be fine.

Artandco I would pick South, I can't really explain why...It's also near the airports and potential small jobs I can do in London occasionally.

[Almondmilk]

Or are there countryside spots between London and Brighton? Doesn't need to be trendy but pretty and affordable. I hope I'm not being annoying now, I learn a lot from mumsnetters!

[munchkinmable]

Your best bet is to look at a website like www.commutefrom.com and then pick locations along the train lines and see what you can afford

[flissfloss65]

Have a look at Lewis, Sussex. Not sure how quick commute is.

[flissfloss65]

Lewes

[Artandco]

But the margate is miles from airports?

Margate to Gatwick is about 2 hrs, you could buy a house near Luton or Stansted in price range and be 15 mins from airport and 45mins into central London

Anywhere 'trendy' within an hour of London or between London and Brighton is also 'pricey'. You can't get both

Have you been back to the U.K. Recently or spoken to an estate agent? Unfortunately everywhere in the Uk, £250,000 is a small amount now for a house in 90% locations. 250,000 for anywhere within 2hrs of London is still tight even in dingy areas.

But it depends what you want for that. You could buy a nice 1 bed flat probably in central Brighton for £250,000. But not much else

If you want a 3 bed house with garage and garden and picket fence, all in a trendy, London vibe area, you are looking for almost the impossible anywhere in the south

[pho3be]

Margate is a dump. Its improved but still drugs & social problems just as bad.
Lots of Herne Bay is lovely & cheaper than Whitstable. Id love to live in tankerton but don't have the $$$

[Almondmilk]

munchkinmable thanks for the link!
flissfloss65 Will look at Lewes! thanks.

Artandco I know...Margate is far from airports...My level of confusion is high! I haven't talked to an agent since I lived in London, my knowledge is based on rightmove.com...I can see houses for let say K280 outside of Hove.
I am trying to tick all the boxes which is impossible but I get to learn a lot here. I have to narrow down my expectations..So house for K280+safety+green not too far from the trendiness?

[StillSmallVoice]

What about Rye (East Sussex). It's very pretty and on the coast, and reasonably quick on the High Speed to St Pancras. (As everywhere, though, the train will be expensive)

[JennyHolzersGhost]

OP what size of property are you looking for and whereabouts in London will you be working ?
Without that info it's impossible to give you useful advice.

[Almondmilk]

JennyHolzersGhost 2bed house would be the best and I will be freelancing so I'll probably go to London 1-2 times per week, probably South West of London...

[JennyHolzersGhost]

Definitely house ? Or apartment acceptable ? Garden required ?

If you're going into SW London then Kent is absolutely the wrong direction, surely ?

[JennyHolzersGhost]

Sorry for the interrogation but we need as much info as possible to help you !

[KatherinaMinola]

SW London? Try Bristol if you're only commuting twice a week. It ticks all your boxes (although budget might be a bit tight these days - maybe the outskirts would be affordable).

[OhTheRoses]

Kent and SW London don't really mix.

[mowgelijeffs]

Hi,
I live in Margate with my husband and son.
It's actually doing great at the moment and I've found there is a lot on for creative people.
We have made lots of interesting friends and the area is beautiful in terms of the beaches and country side close by.
There's an obvious lack of good restraunts in the area but I'm hoping this will improve.
Our house has increased in value hugely.
We are into property ourselves and see the area as a good investment.

I wouldn't recommend birchington or herne bay.
Margate is where it's at, honestly.

Look up some Margate stuff on Instagram. There is a lot happening. Also message me if you want more information 🐒

[mowgelijeffs]

Ps. It's 1hr 10 to Gatwick from Thanet if you drive nicely.

We have been away more then 8 times in the last nine months by plane.

[User006point5]

Our house has increased in value hugely. We are into property ourselves and see the area as a good investment.
This reads like you are ramping the market.

[mowgelijeffs]

Not sure what ramping means but if you mean trying to make it sound bloody great then you, lady, are right 🐒

[SoulAccount]

Hastings?
Like Margate it is poor but with one trendy pocket of shops, cafes, restaurants.
Lacks Margate's sand but Camber is within an easy drive.

[Rnb]

I grew up in Westgate-on-sea (next to Margate) which was lovely back then (80's and 90's) but Margate was grim. I think it's improved a lot as already mentioned, with lots of people moving down from London who are a bit trendy and artistic (the DFLs - Down From London's ).

I'm from a very large family and to my surprise 5 of my siblings have moved back to the area (Ramsgate) from London and absolutely love it. As have some of my extended family. Some of these people I could never see leaving London, so there must be something about it that's ok. I'm in Brighton which is fantastic but eye-wateringly expensive.

Def avoid Margate but have a look in Ramsgate. Some of the houses are AMAZING and cost peanuts. Good luck.

[Rnb]

Oh and my the way, I was lucky enough to go to a grammar school which was incredible, the comprehensives were not. At all.

[Sunnyshores]

OP forget about Thanet (Ramsgate, Margate) it has improved, but its still grim apart from a few very small areas and theres not nearly enough happening for it to be anywhere near the London vibe that young, childfree couples would want.

I think Bristol may suit you, although youd have to live in the centre as traffic on the outskirts is awful.