Best places to live in Kent for families moving from London
For families looking to leave London behind, Kent is a popular option, but where are the best places to live in Kent?
While towns like Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Cranbrook, and Sevenoaks have long been known as family favourites, there’s a whole host of lesser-known gems that provide the advantages that many families moving from the capital value.
Whether you’re seeking value for money, better schools, or a more relaxed pace of life, here are just six of what we consider among the best places to live in Kent for families moving from London, each offering something unique, but all well-suited to family life.
Paddock Wood: Orchards and green spaces
Set among orchards and farmland, Paddock Wood is a small but growing town in west Kent that has become increasingly attractive to families leaving London. Its location between Tonbridge and Maidstone puts it within easy reach of larger towns, but it retains a calm, village-like feel.
Property-wise, you’ll find converted oast houses on the fringes of the town, plus sprawling detached homes with grounds, 1930s semis, and a growing number of modern housing developments, ideal for families wanting a fresh start in a well-connected community.
Paddock Wood’s leisure facilities include a gym and sports hall at Putlands Sports & Leisure Centre, recreation grounds, tennis courts, and several youth clubs, with public swimming pools nearby in Cranbrook and Tonbridge.
Leigh Academy Paddock Wood is well-regarded, and older children are within reach of selective grammar schools in Tonbridge and Maidstone.
Commuters will appreciate the train station, which offers regular services to London Charing Cross in around 52–60 minutes, and to St Pancras International from about 1 hour 4 minutes (typically 1 hour 20 minutes – 1 hour 50 minutes with a change), making it a practical choice for hybrid workers or daily commuters.
Sandwich: Medieval coastal town
A stunningly pretty medieval town, Sandwich blends character with comfort. Its cobbled streets and timber-framed buildings create an idyllic backdrop for family life, but its appeal runs deeper than aesthetics.
Property options here range from charming period cottages and quirky homes in the cobblestoned streets in and around the centre of town to contemporary riverside townhouses.
For families seeking outdoor space and privacy, larger detached homes are available on the outskirts or on the exclusive coastal Sandwich Bay Estate.
Sandwich Technology School and Sir Roger Manwood’s School, a selective grammar school, are strong local options, and the town has a reputation for community-minded living.
Sandwich offers river walks, golf courses, nearby beaches, and excellent cycling routes.
Trains to London St Pancras take around 1 hour 45 minutes, with the fastest services in about 1 hour 31 minutes, though the town’s peaceful pace of life appeals more to remote or hybrid workers who don’t need to commute daily.
Hythe: Historic market town
The charming coastal town of Hythe on the edge of Romney Marsh offers a slower lifestyle with plenty of modern comforts.
Families are drawn by the variety of properties, from compact, purpose-built apartments and period homes to substantial family properties and eco-friendly developments.
There’s a gorgeous seafront promenade, beautiful walks, and large open spaces for all to enjoy.
These include the peaceful Royal Military Canal and the hills of the Downs behind.
Schools such as Seabrook Church of England Primary School and Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (which has a strong arts programme and its own farm) offer good educational choices. Folkestone’s grammar schools are also within easy reach.
Hythe doesn’t have its own mainline station, but nearby Sandling offers services to London Charing Cross in around 1 hour 35 minutes – 1 hour 40 minutes, and high-speed connections to St Pancras in about 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 15 minutes via Ashford.
Canterbury: A vibrant cathedral city
One of the most vibrant cities in Kent, Canterbury, offers the perfect mix of culture, history, and modern family life. As a cathedral city, it has a rich heritage, but also a contemporary feel thanks to its universities, festivals, and thriving arts scene.
Property in Canterbury ranges from beautiful, centrally located period terraces, riverside homes, and larger detached properties in the suburbs.
Newer family developments can be found in areas like Thanington and Sturry.
For a bustling city, there are still lots of green, open spaces for residents to enjoy, including riverside walks and parks. There are also some fascinating historical buildings in the town centre.
For families, Canterbury offers a combination of factors that many families look for. It’s home to highly sought-after grammar schools, including Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and Girls, as well as a strong mix of state primaries and independents.
Canterbury has two stations. Canterbury West offers fast trains to London St Pancras in around 53–60 minutes, ideal for working parents who need quick access to the capital.
Folkestone: Creative, harbourside living
Once a traditional seaside resort, Folkestone has reinvented itself and is now considered one of the best places to live in Kent, especially for creative families and those priced out of Brighton and Whitstable.
Thanks to a combination of regeneration, rising house prices, and a community-focused feel, it’s now one of the trendiest and family-friendly places in the county.
Folkestone’s property market is broad. You’ll find clifftop Victorian homes, affordable family terraces, gorgeous beach houses, and modern apartments with Channel views.
The Creative Quarter in Folkestone, with its studios, galleries, and indie shops, is a major draw.
So too is the seafront, the vibrant harbour, the wide shingle beach, and the outdoor adventure park at Lower Leas Coastal Park.
Schools include St Eanswythe’s Church of England Primary School, and the town is home to two selective grammars, The Harvey Grammar School and Folkestone School for Girls.
For commuters, Folkestone Central and Folkestone West both have direct high-speed trains to London St Pancras in about 54–60 minutes.
Ashford: Smart, spacious living with swift links to London
With fast trains, retail parks, and green space, Ashford is often seen as a practical choice, but there’s a lot to like about this ever-evolving town. For families looking to upsize from London, it offers comparatively more space for your money and convenience in equal measure.
There’s a wide choice of property, from sleek new-builds and stunning listed and period homes to family-sized semis and terraces. You get significantly more living space here compared to many parts of London, and the town is still expanding with new communities and amenities.
Leisure activities abound in Ashford, with the Wye National Reserve nearby and lots of lovely parks.
Ashford has an exceptional selection of schools. Highworth Grammar School and The Norton Knatchbull School provide education for older students, while several highly-rated primaries serve the area.
Ashford International runs very frequent high-speed trains to London St Pancras in about 38–40 minutes, making it one of the best places to live in Kent for commuting parents juggling work and school runs.
The best places to live in Kent for families moving from London
For families looking to relocate from London to Kent without compromising on education, lifestyle, or connection, these six towns represent some of the best places to live in Kent.
With access to off-market homes, in-depth knowledge of school catchments, and strong relationships with local agents, at Garrington Property Finders, we help make the relocation process easier, faster, and more informed.
If you are planning a family move and are searching for the best places to live in Kent to suit your requirements, please contact us. We’d be delighted to help you find a home that fits your life now and grows with you in the future.
