8 of the Best Places to Live in Kent
Kent features a pleasant and diverse landscape, from its meadows to its quaint villages to its busy towns.
While many Kent towns have experienced regeneration in the last decade, there have also been revitalizations of traditional villages due to their proximity to London and traditional village feel.
The 11 districts of Kent offer 11 different lifestyles. If you're looking to move to Kent, there are several different areas to consider. Each district has something special to offer, whether it is a historic charm or bustling town centre.
You may not know where you want to settle down if you're looking for a new home.
To help you find the best options for you, we compared the top cities across the UK based on their outdoor accessibility, schools, job market, social life, and more.
Here is the list of 8 Best Places to Live in Kent
Ashford
Ashford is a great place to live. It's famous for its old-world charm and beautiful countryside. In less than 40 minutes, you can travel into central London by high-speed trains, which means you don't waste hours commuting. And if you like Kentish apples - Ashford is home to the original McIntosh tree!
Due to this, this hidden gem is full of students, commuters, and young professionals who work in London but prefer a quieter lifestyle. The high street is home to a plethora of small independent businesses - the fresh food market has a real continental feel, and bars, cafes and restaurants are buzzing with an atmosphere on Friday nights.
Belvedere
Belvedere is the safest place in Kent. The Belvedere crime rate is running at 5 per 1,000 people. That's 98% lower than the national average and compares to 7 in London. The violent crime rate is 18.2 per 1,000, which is still lower than 85% of towns and cities across England and Wales. The data also shows shoplifting as the most commonly reported crime here, followed by harassment and violence.
Folkestone
There's plenty to do in Folkestone whether you're popping down to the Leas to soak up the sun or taking a trip out to Kent's largest theme park, Dreamland. There's also plenty of lovely places to eat and drink (we'd recommend Zizzis in Tontine Street and The Thomas Tripp on the beachfront!). Crime rates are low and there are plenty of schools to choose from. You can enjoy yourself at the beach, eat some good food, stroll around town, or even consider relocating here!
Canterbury
Canterbury is one of the best places to live in the country. It's been voted top in Kent and the South East, and fifth in England. The average family home costs £480,000, but it's got a lot going for it - great schools, friendly people and beautiful architecture.
Sandwich
Sandwich, one of the Cinque Ports, is a historic town and civil parish on the River Stour in the non-metropolitan district of Dover, within the ceremonial county of Kent. Sandwich took its name from the seaport of Sandwich, first recorded in 1120. The sandwich was one of the Cinque Ports and still has many original medieval buildings and narrow lanes. It was recently ranked as number 10 in a list of best places to retire in all of the UK.
Your wish is our command. Once you've made the move to Kent, we'll show you all the local knowledge and experiences that make this the place to be right now – from culture and heritage to food, drink and countryside exploration to where's hot."
Eynsford
We love village life, so we’re thrilled that Eynsford in Kent has been voted our prettiest village. This picturesque spot emerged victorious with the help of its attractive village green, old cottages, duck pond and fabulous pubs. Annual Britain’s Favourite Village contest is organised by Country file magazine and they are fantastic at digging up gorgeous new spots around the country.
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks can be a little dry but this part of North Downs is great and there are some lovely houses at all price points. It's a good commuter town, with a relatively fast train into London Bridge and the schools are excellent - both independent and state-run. I was brought up in nearby Kemsing but can appreciate Sevenoaks for its superb views across the Weald, the outlook from Knole Park and the independent shops on the High Street.
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells is an uncommonly perfect English town. Its historic city centre and its outlying boroughs blend with the beauty of the countryside and refreshing breezes from the nearby White Cliffs of Dover, all in close proximity to London. Royal Tunbridge Wells, known as Tunbridge Wells, is a large affluent town in western Kent, England. It is a historic spa town in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Royal Tunbridge Wells Common and the Kent Downs. The town came into being as a spa in the Restoration and flourished in the Georgian era and was visited by royalty throughout the 19th century. In the late 20th century, Tunbridge Wells experienced a decline after the 1970s oil crisis. Today it's a quiet historical town.
Best Place for Families in Kent
The town of Royal Tunbridge Wells is claimed to be one of the best places in Kent for families. This is especially the case for parents who need to get into the capital for work, which is accessible easily via train or road since it is less than an hour away on either method. Don’t miss to know best places to live in Kent for families.
