July 18th 2023.
Folkestone, a coastal town in Kent, has recently undergone a remarkable transformation. It used to be a fashionable resort during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, but fell into decline in the 1960s. However, it's now emerging as a vibrant and artsy place to live.
The Old High Street in the Creative Quarter is filled with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants, while the Folkestone Triennial arts festival was established in 2008. There's also a restored Harbour Arm with food and drinks stalls, and a new linear park with the original station, where trains used to meet cross-Channel boats.
This transformation is largely due to substantial investment by local businessman Sir Roger de Haan, former chairman of the Saga holidays group. The town now also boasts two grammar schools, fast London trains, and the world’s first multi-storey skatepark, all of which make it an attractive option for buyers.
Alexandra Rodriguez-Cifre, aged 31 and working in corporate communications, and Andrew Morris, aged 37 and owner of a mobile catering business, decided to move from their small one-bed rental in Folkestone to their own three-bedroom, end-of-terrace Victorian house in the same area in May 2020. They paid £250,000 for it and put down a £45,000 deposit.
When asked why they chose Folkestone, Alexandra said that she was familiar with the town as she had worked in a hotel there before moving to Canterbury, while Andrew had grown up locally. But what prompted them to buy was Andrew's parents, who offered to help with the deposit.
Alexandra found the prospect of buying very scary, as people in Spain are generally more comfortable with the idea of renting, but they eventually saw about ten houses in total and decided on one that required a lot of work. The floorboards and plumbing were faulty, and the windows were leaking, but Andrew and his dad did nearly all of the renovations themselves and it cost them about £10,000 in the end.
The best things about living in Folkestone according to Alexandra are that it's near the sea, never too crowded, and has a great sense of community with lots of local support. There are also plenty of creative people around to chat to.
If you're looking to buy a property in Folkestone, there are plenty of options available. Shoreline Crescent features up to 1,000 beachside homes, Leas Pavilion has one, two and three-bedroom seafront flats, Sandgate Pavilions has 36 luxury two and three-bed flats, Burgoyne Square at Shorncliffe Heights has three and four-bedroom houses, and Imperial Gardens has two, three and four-bedroom houses. Prices range from £430,000 for a one-bedroom flat to £675,000 for a flat in Sandgate Pavilions.
The average property price in Folkestone is £319,260, average rent is £1,266 per month, and council tax is £2,035.98. Commuting to St Pancras takes between 52 minutes and a season ticket costs £7,336pa.
Folkestone is the perfect place if you're looking for a peaceful and vibrant town with plenty of amenities and activities. With its fast trains to London and beautiful beaches, it's no surprise that it's becoming a popular destination for first-time buyers.
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