Yes, Folkestone is a lovely place to live. We are based here, so there may be a little local bias involved, but there is a reason so many people come for a weekend and leave wondering whether they could make the move permanent.

You have the sea, the countryside, fast trains to London and a town that still feels like it has a personality of its own. There are independent cafés, creative businesses, period properties, family neighbourhoods and plenty of places where you can stop and remember why you moved to the coast in the first place.

Folkestone is not the same from one end to the other, though. Life near the Harbour feels very different from life in Cheriton or Hawkinge, and the road you choose can matter almost as much as the house.

Folkestone could be right for you if:

• You want the sea to become part of everyday life.
• You need a realistic connection to London.
• You prefer independent businesses to rows of identical chains.
• You want a choice of lively, traditional and quieter neighbourhoods.
• You like having walks, beaches and countryside close to home.

It may be less suitable if easy parking is essential, you dislike hills or you expect every street to look like the photographs
of the Harbour Arm.

The biggest appeal of Folkestone is that it works as both a coastal town and somewhere people genuinely live all year round.

The Harbour Arm, Creative Quarter and seafront have brought new life into the town, but Folkestone is not just restaurants, art studios and carefully angled sunset photographs. It also has schools, supermarkets, leisure facilities, two railway stations and established residential areas where people have lived for generations.

The sea quickly becomes part of normal life. You can walk along The Leas, head through the Lower Leas Coastal Park, visit Sunny Sands or take a quieter route around the Warren.

Even after living here for years, there are still mornings when the view across the Channel catches you off guard. There are also mornings when the wind nearly removes your umbrella, but that is coastal living for you.

Living by the sea changes how you use the town.

The Leas is ideal for walking, running or clearing your head after work. The Harbour and Sunny Sands become busy during the summer, while the Warren offers something quieter and less polished.

You do not need to plan a full day out. Sometimes a quick walk beside the sea is enough.

Folkestone has changed significantly, particularly around the Harbour and Creative Quarter, but it has managed to avoid becoming a copy of another fashionable seaside town.

There is a mixture of old and new here. Traditional pubs sit near modern restaurants, established shops operate alongside galleries and creative businesses, and some of the town’s smartest areas are only a short walk from streets still waiting for investment.

It is not perfectly polished, and that is partly why it still feels real.

Folkestone Central and Folkestone West both provide high-speed services towards London, which has made the town particularly appealing to commuters and hybrid workers.

The train journey is only one part of the decision, however. Before buying, consider how you will reach the station, whether you need parking and what the full journey will look like on a dark Tuesday morning rather than a sunny weekend viewing.

Folkestone has improved enormously, but it is still a working coastal town rather than a finished lifestyle development.

The town centre remains mixed. There are good independent businesses and signs of investment, but there are also empty shops and buildings that have seen better days. Some neighbourhoods feel noticeably more cared for than others, and the atmosphere can change within a surprisingly short distance.

Parking is another consideration. Older streets were not designed for every household to own several cars, so properties around the centre, Harbour and West End do not always come with straightforward parking.

Living close to the sea also means wind, salt air and additional exterior maintenance. A beautiful sea view can occasionally arrive with rattling windows and garden furniture that has relocated itself overnight.

Summer brings more visitors, particularly around the Harbour and seafront. Most residents enjoy the extra atmosphere, but anyone looking for complete peace and quiet may prefer a home slightly further away from the busiest areas.

And then there are the hills. Folkestone offers some wonderful views, although it occasionally makes you earn them.

There is no single best part of Folkestone. The right area depends on how you want to live.

The West End is known for period buildings, spacious apartments and easy access to The Leas and Folkestone Central.

It suits buyers who want character and a more traditional setting, although parking and outdoor space can be limited with some apartments and converted properties.

These areas have atmosphere, history and plenty within walking distance. They appeal to buyers who enjoy restaurants, events, independent businesses and being close to the sea.

They can also become lively, especially during the summer, and parking needs careful consideration.

Cheriton is less about postcard views and more about practical everyday living.

It has local shops, schools, established residential roads and access to Folkestone West station. Families often consider this side of town when they want more space, a garden or better parking.

East Folkestone can offer more property for the budget, but it is especially important to judge each road individually.

There are good homes and strong communities here, but the condition and atmosphere can vary more noticeably than in some other parts of town.

Sandgate offers a smaller coastal setting with Folkestone close by. It appeals to people who want seaside living but prefer a slightly different pace.

Hawkinge is inland and often works well for families who prioritise newer homes, gardens, driveways and countryside access over being able to walk to the Harbour.

Folkestone can be an excellent place to raise a family.

There are beaches, parks, schools, sports clubs and plenty of ways to spend time outdoors without organising an expensive day trip. Different areas offer very different types of family housing, from traditional terraces to modern homes with gardens and driveways.

School admissions, parking and the daily school run should all be checked carefully. A property that looks perfect on a quiet Saturday afternoon may feel rather different when everyone is trying to leave the house at 8:15 on Monday morning.

Folkestone is made up of several smaller property markets rather than one uniform area.

Period apartments around the West End can offer impressive room sizes and character, but buyers should check lease terms, service charges and parking. Homes near the stations often attract commuters, while families frequently explore Cheriton, Folkestone West or Hawkinge when gardens, bedrooms and driveways are higher priorities.

We regularly speak to buyers who begin their search around The Leas or Harbour, then widen it after seeing how much more space their budget can secure elsewhere.

That is not about choosing a better or worse area. It is about finding the part of Folkestone that fits your actual life. 

For many people, it is an easy yes.

Folkestone offers coastal living without feeling cut off, a strong independent scene and enough variety to suit commuters, families, downsizers and people looking for a different pace of life.

The trick is not simply deciding to move to Folkestone. It is deciding which Folkestone is right for you.

We live and work here, we know the local property market and we are always happy to give buyers a realistic view of the different areas.

Yes. Folkestone Central and Folkestone West both provide high-speed services towards London. Check current timetables, ticket costs and the complete journey from any property you are considering.

Not necessarily. Central areas can provide access to shops, stations and the seafront on foot. A car becomes more useful if you live further out or regularly travel around Kent.

It depends on your priorities. The West End appeals to many character-property buyers, Cheriton offers practical family living, and the Harbour area suits people who want a livelier coastal setting.