Whitstable

[sunshinesupermum]

My kids have flown the nest and I'd like to move near the sea (not Brighton/Hove - too busy) and Whitstable looks like it's a reasonable train journey from London esp as I use St Pancras frequently to travel to my partner's home in France.

Just wondered what the pros and cons are - I can afford a flat one/two bed but will be looking to be within walking distance of the station and shops. Any advice welcomed!

Are you sure you want to move out that way?

It sounds like Sandgate or Hythe would be much more convenient for you. They are gorgeous with easy access to London and France.

Whistable is lovely and you can get up to London from there in no time. It is also a quick car journey (55 minutes from where I live), for anyone who wants to drive down to see you.

This is nice and just over half an hour from station. Tankerton beach is especially good.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67359238.html

Have you stayed there for a week at least at different times of the year? Might be quiet during week and rammed at weekends with tourists?

I agree that if your want to get to France then much better placed on south Kent coast - places like Deal are nice.

It depends how you travel to France, surely?

Whitstable to Ebbsfleet for Eurostar isn’t bad.

Deal is good for the ferry from Dover, or the Tunnel.

rachelover40 that is lovely - but a little too far from the station.

Re Deal, Dover etc, I won't be driving to France.

jojo I need the fast train to St Pancras International. Does it service Sandgate or Hythe?

redbarrows I hadn't considered joining Eurostar at Ebbsfleet but that would work for me.

Another I'd like to rent but there are very few flats available and none furnished - might have to try AirBnB as I agree trying before buying is sensible. As far as being over run with tourists at the weekend - I'm avoiding Brighton/Hove because of that. I lived there for a while ten years ago and Hove was fine but Brighton unbearable.

Living in Sandgate or Hythe, you’d catch trains from Folkestone West Station (possibly walkable from Sandgate and a short bus ride from Hythe if you don’t drive).

Folkestone West - St Pancras have the quick Eurostar type trains.

If you actually want to France on the train, you’d go Folkestone West - Ashford International (13 mins?) and then change to Ashford InternatIona - Paris (1h52mins?)

PS I live in London but go to Sandgate and Hythe to visit people and they’re chilled out and lovely without the usual seaside tat at all.

Ashford Int goes to France and second Hythe/Sandgate/Folkestone

Am happy with taking Eurostar from Ashford or Ebbsfleet but don't want too many changes of trains and buses.

What make Sandgate/Hythe/Folkestone better prospects that Whitstable?

I suggested Sandgate and Hythe as lovely places that are much more convenient/quicker for France and London than Whitstable.

Personally, I prefer the feel of them to Whitstable as well. However, you’d need to go and have a look yourself as you might find that you much prefer Whitstable and are happy with the extra travel time.

To be honest I wouldn't buy in Kent until it's clear what's happening with Brexit.
Whitstable is nice, not that far from Canterbury.

JoJo the travel time from Hythe is definitely better into St Pancras so will look at it too. Thanks.

I think Brexit may be slowing down sales in the area - judging by looking at flats in my price range on Rightmove, some have been on sale for months.

Agree with PP above. Folkestone is far more convenient for getting to France via HS than Whitstable. Know both areas v well (actually met my husband in Whitstable) and my preference would definitely be Folkestone / Hythe out of two. Whitstable is lovely, but Folkestone has far more going on and just a nicer feel in general imo...

Was in Folkestone and Hythe last week. If it's relaxed beach's you are after then can't go wrong with Hythe all the way up to Folkestone ( so Seabrook and Sandgate too) but if you want to walk too and from station, then Saltwood has sandling station and it's sooooo pretty. You could keep a bicycle at your holiday home for trips to Hythe beach from Saltwood .

Whitstable is now a tourist down, and you can barely fit on the pavements at high season. There's no parking and everything has a premium on it. Finding semi detached property is difficult.

Hythe, Folkestone and Sandgate have a much nicer locals feel to them in my experience but still with lots to do - yoga, great walks, nice restaurants and bras, artists quarter in Folkestone... Also bit cheaper.

Thanks everyone - Folkestone has moved up the list and I'll look at Saltwood too. Probably giving Whitstable a miss then

Margate has a good vibe, Turner gallery etc, on the high speed to St. Pancras, and you would get more for your money. Definitely gentrifying and some lovely old properties.