Living in Deal, Kent

My daughter and son-in-law lived there a few years back. He was in the Marine Band there. I just remember it as being cold and bleak. Perhaps it was just the time of year that we visited.

a piece here about it

My grandson lives there with his wife and two little girls, and I used to live in St. Margaret's Bay. I think Deal is a pretty little town with the clapboard houses and elegant streets. I don't know about nightlife as I wasn't interested in going out. There is a nice promenade going towards Kingsdown and a good beach and pier. I only remember one supermarket but it is not far to the huge Tesco at Dover. The countryside around is very pretty and there are some lovely little villages.

My parents-in-law lived there and it was a pleasant place for a visit. I seem to remember a Sainsbury's but could be wrong.

My aunt and uncle retired there and lived there very happily for 30 years. Both had otherwise lived the rest of lives in London. We loved Deal and visited them regularly until the survivor died in 2006.

The plus points are, that it is very pretty there, nice houses, relatively reasonably priced for the south east. It is developing a strong arts colony and quite a rich cultural life. The surrounding countryside is pretty with many attractive villages. Deal has a nice town centre with mainly independent shops and a Sainsburies.

The downside is that it is relatively remote from everywhere else. It is easier to get to France than to London. Your nearest shopping town is Maidstone or Canterbury and both are some distance away and not easy to get to. It is an area of high unemployement. The main employer was Pfizer who had a HUGE modern manufacturing and research centre on the outskirts of Sandwich. This has/is closing down and is bound to have a major effect on the economy and house prices in the area.

Why not rent a property down there for six months and see how you find it before you commit yourself to buying?

I also have a question about moving house/area, downsizing I think they call it. Have not identified specific area yet and am thinking about making plans to move in the next few years, while we are still physically able. We want to be able to enjoy being closer to our family. We want to make the right decision so will take our time over this. I am slowly reconciling myself to the fact that we do not have any deep relationships or commitments to the area where we have lived for over 25 years. Both my children say they would welcome us living much closer to them - its a five hour drive to see them fleetingly, now. We would, ideally, like to live mid-way between both children. We would not like to live on top of them. We would obviously research suitable localities beforehand.

Has anyone else made this decision to move under these circumstances and can anyone give us pointers to think about so that we can build these into our decision making?

I'd love to down size and go back 'home' to the seaside but have the problem that our children live near us and both need our help, particularly DD. I envy those who can make plans to move away.

What is the appeal of Deal? I think I'd find it hard to move to an area I'd not thoroughly explored. The idea of renting accommodation for 6 months sounds a very good idea.

Research the area you want to move to thoroughly.When my parents decided to move from their big family home and trade down they couldnt find anything suitable locally so, since they too had relatively few ties to the place they then lived, they decided to move to the broad area where many of my fathers (many) siblings lived. For each town they considered they went and stayed there for a short period, first researched the property market to see if they could get the property they wanted at the right price. Got estate agents details and drove past many houses for sale to get a feel for the area (you can do all this on Right Move now). They also studied local papers and visited the library to find out what was going on locally that would interest them, and dropped one very attractive location simply on the basis that there were no local activities that appealed to them.

They also mapped shops, doctor's surgeries, their church etc. In the end they visited a friend who had just moved to to an area adjacent to their search area, liked the the housing there so much they started researching the town and ended up living there very happily for over 20 years, they could still reach their family easily and as we children were scattered all over the south east we too were still within reach.

If unsure rent for a while. I had a friend who had to make a move, wouldn't research it, wouldn't rent, chose her location based on having lived there very happily 30 years previously. She made the worst decision of her life. What had been ideal when she was in her 30s was a disaster at 60. She couldn't afford .to move again and I am sure her unhappiness led to her early death six years later

I agree that renting in an area is the best way to decide if it is the right location for you. I knew France well before I bought my first house, but after I had to sell it I lived in five different departments before I decided on Haute Savoie. Some lets were just for six months, the longest lasted 20 months. I had sold my house fully furnished and equipped, so I did not have a lot of possessions to move around - it was enough to hire a small van for the day. I expect most people would need to put their furniture into store.
I made a point of visiting any area I was considering at different times of the day, and in different weather conditions. What can seem ideal in bright sunshine might seem very different on a cold, grey day.
I drew up a check list of my requirements and didn't stop looking until I found a flat that answered all of them. I was tempted by some that were nearly right, but held on until I found my perfect home.
The internet has revolutionised home searching - most of the properties I considered had several photographs on-line and I was also to able to do some research on the area.
I knew nobody in any of the areas I stayed in, but I was usually able to find some friendly locals and I built up a network of friends on ex-pat forums.
My next (and probably last) move will be the big one - to New Zealand, but I have already spent two long holidays there with my daughter so I know I love it.

Deal is a very pretty little place - but I would do some research - I have been there and had a lovely time on a sunny day - nice quaint little shops and houses, lovey lunch in a gastropub, walk up the pier - came home and raved about it. Then went with my husband on a not so sunny day and ended up in the sort of poundland end of the high street and my husband thought it was a dump! I was so disappointed! So there are always two ways at looking at a place.
Yes I would do a bit of research - go on a not so sunny day - have a good look round and try and see if you still like it - we live near - in a more 'commutable' seaside town which you might consider, once again - bit like buying a house - if you go to look at it and still like it on a wet and windy day then you definitely like it when the sun's out! Maybe go and stay for a week, find out more about whats going on - or rent for 3/6 months before you commit.

We visited Deal whilst holidaying in Kent a few years ago, and we quite liked it, but a day`s visit isn`t like living there, so do a bit of research first, maybe get in touch with some of the locals somehow?

Hi Margaret Whitlock.
I have lived in Deal for 4 years now having previously lived in France. If you like the cafe culture you will be happy, we have lot's of cafe's.There are also nice places to eat.
Finding things to occupy you mentally or physically will not be a problem.We have a U3a.If you haven't heard of this organisation it is a nationwide society for people over fifty.There are lot's of courses available and talks fortnightly. There are many other things going on too. You will not be bored.
Have just seen this thread is five years old,you have probably made your decisions by now.I don't know why this thread is still on here.!!!!!!!!!

susan2014 I don't know how you found this thread!!!!!!! It was hardly active!!!!!

Do tell.