Have lived in both in recent years. Be aware Whitstable is difficult for parking at weekends and B&B at a premium - nearby Faversham may be better value for money and has a lot of character, a nice antiques market on the first Sunday of every month and good pubs / restaurants. All places are very near Canterbury.
IF you go Margate way and like cinema, check out the Carlton at nearby Westgate / tiny cinema in Broadstairs - much better experiences than the big named places.
Seasalter - between Whitstable and Faversham - boasts the renowned Sportsman restaurant if you are foodies.
Whitstable is a much better bet than Margate. We started off married life in Whitable. It's a bit more central, too, than Margate for getting to other places.
If you're not too bothered about being by the sea, nearby Faversham is an interesting little town.
My in-laws come from Westgate and we know the area well. Don't move to Margate or Cliftonville, They lived in Sandwich for a while, and that's OK. I would move to Broadstairs.
Last time I went to Whitstable it was lovel - quiet but still nice - place to get fresh crabs and things. Friends of mine go there all the time. Not too far away is Deal - that is a lovely town - old fashioned sort of high street etc.
I have never been to Whitstable but want to go as many people have said it is lovely. Margate seems to have drawn the short straw but they are trying to invest in it, the Tate etc. Thing is, if you stayed in Whitstable, Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and Canterbury are all fairly close. I think it would be worth a visit.
DH and myself are thinking of taking a short break in the UK and want to visit a part that we've never been to before. Does anyone have any idea of what Whitstable and/or Margate are like please?