Anyone leave near Deal? Would we be mad to move to the Kent coast now?

[Lostinthe80s]

DH and I have always wanted to live by the sea. DH is in his sixties and disabled with a progressive condition. I’m a bit younger and gave up work recently due to his increased needs. We have a smallish income from his pension and the money we inherited when I lost DM and DF close together. We have long harboured hopes of moving to Deal and as we no longer have responsibilities here we could consider doing it. Prices in Deal seem to keep going up and I’m worried if we leave it longer it will be out of our reach but on the other hand what happens in the case of a hard Brexit? Will that part of Kent become a gridlocked lorry park?

I feel like whatever we do will be the wrong thing! I think we could afford to do it now but if it turns out to be disaster we wouldn’t have enough financial wiggle room to get out. But if we wait and prices keep going up despite Brexit fears we’ll be priced out of the market. Half decent houses there seem to get snapped up straight away and it feels I bit like the situation in Aldeburgh where prices are immune to having a nuclear plant on the doorstep!

I suppose I’m asking if there are any Deal Mumsnetters out there and how do you think things will pan out? Or indeed anyone with any insights. Or a crystal ball

I don't get the connection between brexit and deal turning into a lorry park.
That aside, life is for living, and if you are in a position to realise your dreams together I think you should go for it. Will you have support in that area if dh health deteriorates?

Lived there for ten years, only left due to family circumstances. Great place, would recommend for your needs. Quite cheap as well in terms of the Kent market. I still miss the sea.

I don't know that part of the country but I do know that there is currently concern re Brexit and that area effectively becoming a giant lorry park.

Personally, I think that post-Brexit there will have to be something worked out in order to ensure there aren't the 30 mile tailbacks which people are talking about. So there might be a few months of chaos but I can't see that lasting. However it is a bit of a gamble.

That said, I would probably go for it now. Not because of the rising house prices but more because, if your partners illness is progressive, you need to move whilst he is still active and you can both build up a support network in your new home area.

My parents faced this dilemma 12 years ago. They moved when my dad started to become ill, made lots of friends, and now that my dad has deteriorated they have really good friends snd neighbours in their town who are supporting mum and dad.

Good luck with your decision

Lemon - the motorway to Dover often has lorry's parked along the left hand lane (operation stack) whenever there is a delay at the ports due to weather/docks. The current thinking is that unless we remain part of the EU customs union, delays due to customs will make this occur more often. And as so much of the land by docks has been sold off, there isn't really anywhere else for them to wait.
Most likely, there will be a inland customs and then an expedited customs when we leave for lorries as otherwise anywhere near Dover will be unusable.

Speaking from personal experience Operation Stack will only affect you in Deal if it happens to be in and you commute or are travelling to Dover or Folkestone. There are other roads.

What about down Hastings way? Bit more expensive but not much....there's also Bexhill on sea and pevensey, also gorgeous places without the worry of lorrys.

Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone.

Beezlebop that’s what we’re hoping, that it won’t be too much of a problem in Deal itself. Interested to hear that you lived there. Is really is a lovely little town isn’t it?

Emma thanks for sharing your parents’ experience, I’m pleased to hear it worked out so well for them.
Spicy thanks, yes, worth considering, but to be honest Deal just feels right. You know when somewhere feels like it could be Home? Plus we do have a couple of friends there and some a few miles inland.

Thanks again for the advice everyone.