Deal

[mydogsandme]

Does anyone here live in or around Deal in Kent? We're planning a holiday there next year and are STILL looking for the ideal place to semi-retire in the future. Anyone help?

[samuel23]

I live in East Kent, not far from Deal. I would have to say it isn't the best place to choose for retirement. It has lost a lot of it's lifeblood since the royal marine school of music closed, and there is talk of turning the barracks into a prison (nice!) It is not close to any major shopping facilities,and the larger town/port of Dover isn't much better. Folkestone is the nearest decent shopping / entertainment place (15 - 20 miles away) or Canterbury (about the same distance) . Deal has not got a good transport infrastructure either, with one main road in/out and a sporadic external bus service. The rail links are, by comparison, very good. It is a lovely place to visit, but I have friends that live there and they would move if they could afford to. The Isle of Thanet, Margate / Broadstairs / Ramsgate is a much better option. It has good links to other parts of Kent, but it also has all the facilities you would hope to find locally. Whitstable and Herne Bay are also good areas, with a lower crime rate and close proximity to the cathedral city of Canterbury
Have a look at the link
http://www.canterbury.co.uk/
best wishes
Sam

[mydogsandme]

thanks very much Sam for your honest answer. We love Kent and would like to eventually move near the coast. We've recently been to the Isle of Wight which is beautiful but I'm a bit concerned that I'd feel too "cut off". Also it would be nice to be able to get to London quite easisly for shows etc. We don't want anywhere too commercially seaside-y but like to have a fair amount to do plus nice scenery close by. I haven't yet visited the places you mention so we'll have a look- which would you recommend?

[samuel23]

Hi there mydogsandme.
The Isle of Wight? Hmmm. I have an Aunt that lives there and she wouldn't move off it for all the tea in China. I can't say I like the place myself - that stretch of water, across the Solent, is the most expensive waterway to cross in Europe. It is dearer than getting across the channel to France.
That said there are pros and cons to many of the places around here. My personal favourite place is Broadstairs ~ right in the heart of Thanet, closely followed by Whitstable
Parts of Thanet are not as attractive as they could be, there is a high rate of teenage pregnancy (highest in Kent) it has the highest concentration of 'out of borough' placements for foster children and there is constant talk of re-opening the airport at Manston (although it is nowhere near as large as Stanstead even). That said, look for properties in Broadstairs, Minster, Monkton, Pegwell, Sandwich and Sarre. They are beautiful little places plus you are only about 14 miles from all the amenities of a major city ~ Canterbury,
There are pleanty of sites of historic interest in East Kent (a lot of history locally, Romans / Saxons / Normans / WWII)woodlands, rivers, nature and bird sanctuaries and beaches all within a 10 minute drive and a modern, (and vastly under-used) shopping centre at Westwood Cross.
Herne Bay is (imho) going downhill. Once a Victorian bathing town, it has sadly lost most of its splendour, yet still retains a working bandstand, a clock tower, a well kept memorial park and an enviable promenade. Look for properties in the villages of Herne, Beltinge or Broomfield.
My favourite place and the one would recommend, would be Whitstable ~ A little dearer than the surrounding areas in terms of property prices, but it is nearer to - see next posting

[samuel23]

Canterbury, has excellent road and rail links, is quaint, has a vibrant feel during the summer, with lots of good restaurants and festivals galore. Look for properties in Tankerton or Chestfield - these are the best areas but dearer. Canterbury, like most cities, is dearer by about 10% for property, and it has areas to avoid (Sturry road, Reed ave, Querns ave, Spring lane). That said, if you can find a reasonably priced place in Blean, Tyler Hill, Rough Common or Harbledown snap it up. Those are lovely areas, and have seen price increases far above the national average. I used to live in Rough Common, right next to an area of woodlands owned by the RSPB. I am so sad I had to move away.
Hope this helps.

[mydogsandme]

thank you for all your help Sam, it's much appreciated. You're a star.