Where are the most desirable places to move in Kent?

Kent has long been one of England’s most underrated beauty spots, with a bustling city life nestled amongst historic landmarks like Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle. If you’re looking to move to Kent - or you already live there but are considering moving - you might be wondering where you can find the best neighbourhoods in 2022.

In this guide, we’re going to go over the most desirable places to move in Kent, taking into account factors such as the availability of great schools, local amenities, and commuting distance to the country’s capital. Let’s take a look!

Canterbury

A historic cathedral city, Canterbury has long been one of the most desirable places to settle down in Kent. While it is a university town, there are also a wide range of fantastic schools for those looking to settle down with a young family.

The town is also equipped with endless local amenities and shops, and is officially recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site. With a picturesque town centre with varied architecture, Canterbury is a great option for couples and young families looking for a slow paced lifestyle in a town brimming with activities and amenities. Canterbury is also just an hour’s train ride to the capital, making it also suitable for professionals working in London.

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Royal Tunbridge Wells is the ideal Kent location if you’re working in London and don’t want to spend hours commuting back and forth every day. With just a 45 minute commute to the centre of London, Royal Tunbridge Wells is ideal for the young professional looking for some respite from the bustling capital.

Boasting a small population of just over 100,000, Royal Tunbridge Wells offers plenty of schooling opportunities, weekend activities, and is most-loved for its world famous Georgian shopping colonnade, “The Pantiles.” Grab a coffee, spend a few hours window-shopping, or head to a terraced cafe for some people watching and some great food to boot.

Belvedere

Near London’s zone 5, Belvedere is another one of Kent’s most desirable postcodes. Nestled in the south east, Belvedere boasts some of the best schools in the Kent district, and is close enough to London to make for an easy commute for young professionals.

While Belvedere is still considered by some as part of London, this town of just over 11,000 offers some respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city, while still offering the same level of local amenities, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. With plenty of nature reserves to explore, Belvedere is ideal for any London-based fan of the great outdoors.

Dover

One of the most famous UK cities in the world and synonymous with war-time ballads, Dover is one of the most up-and-coming postcodes in Kent. A beautiful coastal town, Dover has seen its fair share of demonisation in the media. However, thanks to recent investments and housing developments, Dover is steadily becoming a sought-after postcode in Kent and the greater South East.

For those with young families, Dover has plenty of great local schools and is brimming with weekend activities for young children and adults alike. It also boasts its fair share of historic landmarks: from the white cliffs of Dover to Dover castle, you’ll never run out of things to do or see.

However, if you’re working in London, Dover might not be the best option for you. Trains from Dover to central London tend to take around 1 hour 45 minutes, making it slightly too far out for a comfortable commute.

Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is one of the most lucrative and sought-after Kent postcodes, to the point where it can be incredibly difficult to find an affordable property there. It also happens to be one of the most expensive towns in Kent, thanks to its close distance to the capital and its wide range of local amenities, schools, and landmarks.

With trains to London taking as little as 25 minutes, Sevenoaks is ideal for any London-based couple, family, or professional. Sevenoaks itself is also brimming with local amenities including shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and Bligh's Meadow shopping centre, meaning that you don’t always need to go into London for a fun or interesting weekend.

While property prices in the Sevenoaks area are incredibly high, it remains one of the best places to settle down in Kent.

Folkestone

A pretty seaside town in the south of Kent, Folkestone sits across from the entrance to the Channel Tunnel, making it the perfect spot to settle down if you enjoy the occasional spontaneous day trip to Paris. Aside from its transport links, Folkestone is also one of the more slow-paced Kent areas, with its distance from the capital making it a more calm, quiet, and relaxed part of the country.

With a good roster of local schools and lots of fun seaside activities to enjoy during the summer months, Folkestone is ideal for young families or a young couple looking to settle into their first property. On the downside, Folkestone is slightly out of range if you work and commute to London on a regular basis.

Eynsford

If you enjoy the quiet pace of country life, Eynsford is probably the closest thing to the authentic countryside that you’ll get in Kent. Nestled south of London and running along the River Darent, this small town has a population of just over 1,800, making it the perfect spot if you’re tired of the bustling, hectic pace of life in London.

On the downside, Eynsford is slightly out of the way if you’re London-based, with trains taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes on average. While it might not be the best Kent spot for those commuting to London, Eynsford is the ideal beauty spot for those working at home or those based in nearby Kent towns. With a number of great schools and a vast wealth of local nature to explore, Eynsford is also great for young families and retirees.