Ramsgate? Deal? Broadstairs? Moving with young family

[Readyforroots]

Hi all. Looking for some moving advice.
DH and I are looking to change our lives this year and move from Berkshire to the coast. We need to be within reach of London for DH commute to work, so have been strongly considering the Ramsgate area but keen to understand if there’s anywhere else we should look at.

We have a nearly 3yo DS and are looking to move before he starts school next year. Our budget is around £500k and we ideally would love a Victorian/interesting property with space to grow our family/have grandparents come and stay.

We’ve got a trip booked in a few months to go and explore the area, so want to get a hit list together and make sure we’ve done our research. Current contenders:

Ramsgate - we love the properties and they are so tempting, but we do have concerns over it feeling ‘dodgy’. Are there any ‘nicer areas’ or roads to avoid when buying? How are the schools? I’ve read so many old threads for/against Ramsgate but keen to get a 2025 read!

Deal - people say it’s lovely, is it sleepy or bustling? Can’t afford as much here so would want to make sure the area offered everything we wanted!

Broadstairs - again seems like a nice area, but right between Margate and Ramsgate are there any areas not to buy/look in?

In terms of what else we need, we just really want outdoor space with beaches and parks, nice pubs, interesting foodie scene and cafes etc which this whole area seems to tick off.

Any thoughts or advice welcome!

PS. We have seen a lot of chat about Folkestone which we will also go and check out, but train connections not as good for DH work and can’t afford as much there.

My dh is a local so I’ve just asked him
He would chose Deal because
its smaller
its more charming
its quieter

Broadstairs is like a rose between two thorns, the thorns being Ramsgate and Margate

We are in Folkestone weekly ( football matches ) and it’s a no. It’s a very busy port.

Following as we are making the same move, I think it has changed quite a bit post-pandemic so looking for some up to date opinions.

Hey @KingMungBean that’s exciting! Where are you moving from? Do you know the area at all? We’re trying to weigh up whether the lifestyle and house we think we could have is worth the move!

Thanks for the thoughts @Stirabout its always great to hear from a local. I’m keen on Deal but all my thoughts are purely from desktop research right now!

I’d say OP from what you’ve written in you thread your desktop research is spot on.

Of those 3 Deal , then Broadstairs with Ramsgate bottom . I don’t think you’ve got the budget for Whitstable but you could look at Herne Bay or that area

We moved to Folkestone (just outside). Trains are great; fast and reliable. Loads of things on. Much more accessible to London than Thanet or Deal.

Loads of lovely cafes, activities etc.

We are in Folkestone weekly ( football matches ) and it’s a no. It’s a very busy port
Folkestone isn't a port at all let alone a busy one.

Re Folkestone - OK a harbour now, no longer a port

But still loads of new motorway links and traffic to facilitate the euro tunnel.
It’s all very busy

In terms of Herne Bay mentioned here.
Theres some nice shops and a great independent coffee place but the town is quite run down, perhaps due to boarded up shops.

I would choose Broadstairs out of those options. I lived there for a few years and it was dreamy, honestly. Especially if your family appreciate a beach. Viking bay is my favourite in the area.

Ramsgate always appeared cramped and run down, in comparison.

I don't really get the hype with Deal. It's always seemed a bit nothing-y. Far inferior beaches with an absolutely packed out sea-front. Unpleasantly busy.

"But still loads of new motorway links and traffic to facilitate the euro tunnel.
It’s all very busy"

I've lived in Folkestone for years and I don't know what this means. Local traffic is pretty much 100% not affected by the channel tunnel traffic.

As for "new motorway link" what???

@Stirabout I think ‘run down with boarded up shops ‘ describes 90% of Kent high streets .

Personally and having lived in that area for 9 years at one point I would live in Canterbury for the convenience and facilities and rail connection and accept the 15 minute drive to Whitstable or 17 minutes on train to broadstairs

We had friends in broadstairs who soon realised if you think you are going to be having relaxing evenings on beach - they just were not - and wished they had gone to Canterbury with time at weekend for the coast - but guess you know your family best

Same. In 7 years there's been one day ever where I've been affected by Channel tunnel traffic.

Well yes
Its all very sad I agree
Although I’d add, a lot of the country tbf

I agree
Canterbury would be my favourite
We have lived there and our kids went to school there
Its beautiful and transport is very good now.

Have you considered Birchington or Westgate? Both nice towns, slightly less hussle and bustle than Ramsgate or Broadstairs and more of a local feel to them.
Westgate also has a great high street with a train station, a nursery, some great cafes and access to the beach. We commute to London and while the train takes a while, it’s a straight train to Victoria or Cannon Street. Birchington has links to the high speed train and also has a great high street, station, library etc. both would be good options for a family.

PM me if you want any further info, or I’d be happy to show you some good spots locally if you let me know when you’re down.

Broadstairs is nice, but remember this is the area that voted for Farage and Brexit.

Canterbury schools are not what they were 10 years ago.

Birchington smells of rotten seaweed in the summer...

I think you need to have a long weekend going to visit each area and see what is important to you.

I live in the area.

Ramsgate - just, no.

My Aunt lives in Broadstairs, it's nice but as a PP said, surrounded by Margate and Ramsgate, so, no.

Deal is just boring. Very sleepy.

Folkestone - people mention it on here a lot as it's supposedly up and coming, lots of money being spent, quite arty, etc. But honestly, a lot of it is a shit hole. Some proper dodgy folk.

Areas I'd consider down this way are:

Canterbury
Hythe/Saltwood

In that order.

I have lived in Ramsgate and Deal. Deal is nice but I found it a bit awkward to get to other places from there.

I've attached a map which in my opinion highlights the best part of Ramsgate. The Ellington Road area is generally pretty popular. I never had any issues when I lived in Ramsgate, but some parts are nicer than others.

@Stirabout our son went to St Peter's and then a year at Barton court before we moved away . Lots to like- we moved away for practical reasons work wise but had lots of good times there and to me makes more sense than the coast with better facilities. It's not that I don't like the coast and we used to go maybe every other weekend in summer but I value other things just as much as seeing the sea .

Would your DH be commuting 5 days a week and have you checked out the train costs as well as the connections/times?

I wouldnt live in a main tourist town as you will have holiday makers all summer clogging up the roads whilst you are just trying to go about your daily life. Also weekenders the rest of the year .... you may be next door to an air bnb so possibly rowdy/disruptive party type holiday makers in hot tubs until the small hours.....not knowing who is there week to week.

I would look at a local village/town 5-10 miles inland so that its only a short hop in the car if you want to go to the beach....with young children you need a sandy beach rather than shingle....

I would choose Broadstairs out if the b list. Nice sandy beach and probably more to do for young children. Deal is lovely but smaller.

I moved to Ramsgate from London 9 years ago with three children. I personally like Ramsgate the best out of all places. My husband commutes and the cost is roughly £8,200 per annum. I have no idea what Berkshire is like, however Thanet is so much better than London if you have younger children and like the outdoors. I have been to Deal many times, it is beautiful but boring. Broadstairs is beautiful (probably the most picturesque) but in the summer the traffic and parking is terrible at the main places. Margate is the most rundown area (in my opinion) and also has a horrible smell quite often. With regards to Herne Bay, Whitstable, Westgate, etc, if you are commuting to London, they are all on the slow train. Also very often train stops at Ramsgate and those going to Broadstairs have to wait for the slow train at Ramsgate train station. The schools are like everywhere- mixed bag. I don’t know much about Folkestone, however my brother moved there and then after a few years came to Ramsgate. He prefers Ramsgate. I have primary and secondary age children and the teens from Herne Bay often come to Thanet as more to do here. I personally would not live in a small town (I grew up on a farm) however this is just me and I understand that some people like quieter places. To sum up - Broadstairs in an ideal world right by the beech with a lovely big house. If you can’t afford that I think Ramsgate is better. I also prefer the Ramsgate main sands in the summer as Broadstairs gets quite busy and difficult to watch the children. Saying that some lovely beaches in between Broadstairs and Margate. With the train, definitely Ramsgate.

Oh Crikey!

We were Uni students late 80s
Then returned 2000 to Rochester nearby ( Canterbury at the time a bit too much of a commute to London, now much better of course )
We’re now just West of Canterbury but as our kids went to school in Canterbury they love it so may move back there finally as we just love it.
It might be the only pull to get them to come home to visit tbh 😆

Agree
Its near enough to go to the coast if you want to whilst benefiting from having everything you want within easy walking distance. Plus we just love it’s historical significance and beautiful buildings. You’re never far from a restaurant or good pub either 😀

@Coffeebean987 ooh I wouldn't go as far as that - I've lived in both and enjoyed living in south west London far more than I did in east Kent - it really depends where you live and your lifestyle in London and yes of course affordability and your home comes into it too -