8 Cheapest places to live in Kent

If you’re looking to move to Kent, you may already be aware that house prices have been continuing to rise year-on-year for the past decade, with certain Kent neighbourhoods such as Sevenoakes facing the highest price rises as Londoners flee the capital’s housing market.

As mortgages continue to rise, many aspiring homeowners are now searching out up-and-coming areas with lower house prices in the South East, in favour of saturated markets in London and the rest of the South.

Kent remains a primary destination for the London exodus, and while many up-and-coming neighbourhoods have already experienced an influx of newcomers from London, house prices remain - for the moment - pretty low in comparison to those in the capital.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the 8 cheapest places in Kent: whether you’re new movers, a family, or a professional looking to commute to London from your place in Kent. Let’s take a look!

Dover

While Dover once developed a reputation as one of the worst places to live in the UK, thanks to recent investment and a recent influx of talent from London, it has now transformed into a pretty decent place to get your first home. With the average house price around £197,000, it's certainly the most affordable destination for young professionals and new families looking to get on the property Ladder in Kent. Kent Live recently published an article about the affordability of Dover here!

One downside to owning a property in Dover is that it's slightly too far out if you're looking to commute to London on a daily basis. However, it's well linked to other more central parts of Kent, where you can find plenty of job opportunities, as well as potential for new businesses.

Sheerness

A commercial Port town, Sheerness is another place in Kent where you can find an affordable property as a first-timer buyer or a young family. While Sheerness, like Dover, has a reputation for being a deprived and socially isolated area in the UK, in recent years it's become a hub for Londoners looking to flee the capital and find an affordable property outside the big city. The Guardian mentioned that Sheerness is ‘"Not far from London, friendly people and natural beauty. The postman can still leave a parcel on the side of the door, and I do not have to look over my shoulder when coming out of a meeting at night."

In Sheerness the average price of a property is about £223,000, making it around one-third of the price of its equivalent in London.

Snodland

With a population of over 10000, Snodland is another area in Kent where you can find affordable residential property. With the average property price being around £228,000, Snodland is a great place to settle with a young family, or as a couple.

If you're looking to commute from Snodland to London by train, this neighbourhood in Kent might be slightly out of your way; it takes on average around 1 and 1/2 hours to get from Snodland to Central London, making it a better choice for those who already work in Kent.

Sittingbourne

A popular spot for new families, Sittingbourne is another place in Kent where you can find an affordable property, whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to relocate from another area.

With average house prices sitting around £228,000, obtaining a mortgage on Sittingbourne property is much easier than getting on the housing ladder in London.

Unfortunately for London commuters - or those looking to travel back and forth from the capital on a regular basis - Sittingbourne is around 2 hours by train to central London. However, the neighbourhood has great infrastructure for those looking to commute back and forth from central Kent.

Swanscombe

Voted by Kent Live as the most desirable place to live in Kent, this Dartford village is a great place to find an affordable property, with average house prices hovering around £232,000.

A perfect choice for young families with children, Swanscombe is also the 35th safest place in Kent, out of Kent’s 331 towns, villages and cities. It's also ideal for London commuters who don't mind an hour’s train ride back and forth from the capital; the train from Swanscombe to London takes around 55 minutes in total.

Gillingham

Ideal for first time buyers, Gillingham is an up-and-coming destination in Kent when it comes to buying property. While the area once had a reputation for being unsafe and prone to hooliganism, recent changes and an influx of new residents from London have made it a town with a bright future.

On average, you can expect to pay around £241,000 for a property in Gillingham, making it perfect if you’re looking to get on the property ladder as a young professional. With a great local road network and the convenience of 1-hour trains into the centre of London, it’s also the ideal spot for London commuters. With a university, leisure centre, shops, and other amenities, Gillingham is one of Kent’s most popular up-and-coming neighbourhoods.

Erith

Just 35 minutes on the train to central London, Erith is one of the best new neighbourhoods in Kent for young London professionals and new families. With the average property price around £241,000, Erith offers a wide range of semi detached houses and terraced houses perfect for first time buyers, or those relocating their family from other parts of the UK.

Well Erith is close to London, the area has a very suburban feel and has been going through a period of restoration for the past decade. With plenty of local pubs and parks to enjoy, there's something in Erith for all ages.

Chatham

With lower crime rates and an affordable property market, Chatham is one of the safest and most popular destinations for new movers to Kent in 2022. With average property prices around £248,000, Chatham is an ideal location for anyone looking for a family home near London.

Although Chatham is just an hour's train ride away from the capital, you don't need to go into the city to keep yourself busy when you live in this small town. With plenty of recreational activities on offer, as well as an interesting history and military heritage, Chatham is a suitable destination for young families, professionals of all ages, and those looking to take up their retirement in a safe - but central - location.