Watch out Whitstable, move over Margate– another Kent coastal town is vying for attention.
A fashionable resort during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, Folkestone fell into decline in the 1960s but has emerged as an exciting, arty and buzzy place to live.
The Old High Street in the Creative Quarter is filled with independent shops and galleries, many run by designer/makers, the Folkestone Triennial arts festival was established in 2008, and high-end restaurants have moved in.
The transformation is largely down to substantial investment by local businessman Sir Roger de Haan, former chairman of the Saga holidays group, which he sold in 2004 for £1.35 billion.
Two grammar schools, fast London trains and the world’s first multi-storey skatepark also tick big boxes for buyers.
In May 2020, Alexandra Rodriguez-Cifre, who’s 31 and works in corporate communications, and Andrew Morris, 37, owner of a mobile catering business, swapped a small one-bed rental in Folkestone for their own three-bedroom, end-of-terrace Victorian house nearby.
They paid £250,000 for it, and put down a £45,000 deposit.
Why Folkestone?
Alexandra: I’m from Gran Canaria and love living by the sea.
I was already familiar with the town as I’d worked in a hotel here when I first arrived in England fresh from university, before relocating to Canterbury.
Andrew grew up locally and until we moved in together had been living with his parents in a nearby village.
What prompted you to buy?
Andrew’s parents! They regard renting as a waste of money and very kindly offered to help us with the deposit.
I found the prospect of buying very scary – perhaps because people in Spain are generally more comfortable with the idea of renting.
Did you look at many other properties before you chose this one?
We saw about ten houses in total. Initially I wanted a new-build flat as I’m used to apartments and I hated the idea of carrying out renovations, but we ended up buying a house that required a lot of work.
Andrew’s father is an electrician and although we viewed some places that had been upgraded, he pointed out that often this hadn’t been done well. So I compromised – and had to adjust to working from home while it was being refurbished, which was a much bigger job than expected.
Tell us more about what you did…
I’d have been happy painting the walls and changing the carpet, but the floorboards underneath were rotten, so had to be replaced.
Then we discovered that the plumbing was faulty, and although the windows were only ten-years-old, some were leaking. The roof needed fixing too.
Two bedrooms, the bathroom, the living and dining room are finished, and fortunately the kitchen was in good condition, so only the third bedroom, hall and stairs are left to do.
Has all the hard work been worth it?
Andrew and his dad did nearly everything between them so, apart from a plumber and scaffolding, we only had to pay for materials.
It has cost us about £10,000 so far, but a similar property in the next street that was in worse condition than ours when we moved in recently sold for £320,000.
What are the best things about living in Folkestone?
I have to be near the sea – it’s a must in my life.
It feels very different from other seaside towns like Margate and Deal as it’s never too crowded, and I love the sense of community.
I also love the creative side – it’s so easy to meet musicians, painters and poets and start chatting, and there’s lots of local support for local people. Compared to how it used to be, it’s like a different world.
What’s new in Folkestone?
1. Shoreline Crescent
The first phase in Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company’s new community of up to 1,000 beachside homes is a mix of 84 generously-sized contemporary flats, duplexes, penthouses and five-storey townhouses, all with private outside space, amazing views and plenty of storage for kit such as surfboards.
Townhouses have direct access to the beach plus two parking spaces.
From £430,000 for a one-bedroom flat.
Find out more: Here
2. Leas Pavilion
One, two and three-bedroom seafront flats in a Grade II-listed building incorporating the town’s former tea room, which is now being restored.
The scheme is due to complete next spring, and will include a concierge service, a gym, underground parking with EV charging and access to the new Pavilion Lounge.
From £325,000.
Find out more: Here
3. Sandgate Pavilions
Some 36 luxury two and three-bed flats arranged over three blocks in Sandgate, along the coast to the west of Folkestone.
They feature bright open-plan layouts and large outdoor seating areas that look out over the English Channel.
Last few remaining, from £675,000.
Find out more: Here
4. Burgoyne Square at Shorncliffe Heights
Part of the wider redevelopment of Shorncliffe Garrison, a former military base adjacent to the seafront at Sandgate.
It will eventually comprise 1,200 homes and facilities including sports pitches, a pavilion, open space and play areas.
Three and four-bedroom houses are currently for sale, from £319,995.
Find out more: Here
5. Imperial Gardens
These good-sized two, three and four-bedroom houses in Hawkinge, a rural village just ten minutes north-west of Folkestone and within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
You’ll be able to choose from a range of soft-close kitchen units, and there’s allocated or off-road parking.
From £302,500.
Find out more: Here
Folkestone’s vital statistics
Average property price:£319,260
Average rent: £ 1,266pcm
Council tax (Band D):£2,035.98
Commuting time: from 52 mins to St Pancras
Season ticket: from £7,336pa
MORE : What it’s like to live in West Hendon, the peaceful town loved by first-time buyers
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