One of Britain’s most famous coastal towns now features a road where homes are selling much quicker than usual, as buyers rush to purchase them within six weeks less time compared to the countrywide rate.
Potential homebuyers are rushing to fashionable Margate in Kent to acquire homes in this quaint seaside village, which counts among its famous inhabitants a renowned British indie rock figure and co-lead singer of The Libertines.
Pete Doherty
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Westbrook Gardens, located only a short distance from the shore and offering breathtaking ocean vistas, is the town’s most rapidly sold-out road.
A property sells in as few as 102 days in that area, with the local postcode seeing sales occur almost 1.5 times faster than the nationwide average of 147 days, per data from real estate agency Upstix.
Having been a beloved coastal getaway for many years in Britain, Margate experienced a phase of deterioration.
However, in recent years—particularly after the pandemic—it has emerged as a popular destination for London residents, earning the informal title “Shoreditch-on-the-Seaside.”
Approximately 6,000 individuals from London moved to Thanet within the three-year period after the pandemic began.
The significant rise of DFLs (Down From London) has
Margate has been given a fresh image, with typical home values standing at £348,571.
Over a span of ten years, between 2013 and 2023, the typical listing prices in the coastal town increased by an impressive 102 percent.
Residents think that, alongside ocean and shoreline vistas, amenities, convenient transportation options, and more affordable housing compared to the capital, have led Londoners to rapidly purchase vacation homes and list them on Airbnb.
Richard Thomas, aged 54, acquired a house on the road only 40 days after he first saw the listing last year.
The facility administrator stated, “I moved from Canterbury to live nearer the ocean and enjoy improved scenery. I have always had a deep affection for the sea. I believed it would require some time.”
It happened very fast. I had been told the competition was intense and that I needed to move quickly. So I did. I didn’t waste time; I couldn’t afford to.
It must be the ocean breeze. Folks here are relaxed. They feel proud of their community. It’s lovely. Although it has faced some bad publicity lately, I believe things are starting to change.
I know a pair who managed to purchase it within a single month. That’s amazing.
Retired educator Rory Waitt resides within the postal code and oversees a local initiative named Wilderness to Wonderland aimed at enhancing the neighborhood.
He thinks that Margate’s “charming” qualities and “authentic atmosphere” contribute to the town’s remarkable appeal, with the 68-year-old noting: “We’re a team of volunteers and our aim is to improve things.”
The reality that homes here are being sold significantly faster than the national average indicates this.
It’s a very appealing location. We take care of it. There’s the beach, the ocean, excellent amenities. It has generated a strong atmosphere.
It was once in poor condition. There were instances of drug usage and related issues. It demonstrates what can happen when an area receives care and focus.
Samuel Welling, aged 54, purchased his home within 60 days after submitting an offer in 2023.
Calling the process “smooth,” he stated: We were very eager to live here. We moved from Maidstone.
Three other families relocated to our street during the same week. Once property values rise here, they tend to sell quickly.
Milton Avenue, CT9 1TT, ranks as the second quickest-selling road in the coastal town, where homes typically remain on the market for about 113 days before finding a purchaser.
The third quickest sale occurs at Ethelbert Road, CT9 1LA, where homes typically sell after an average of 127 days.
Andrew Miller, aged 53, settled into his home in Margate within a few weeks not many years back.
The volunteer horticulturist remarked: “It’s an incredibly lively spot. There’s a really fast pace here, which is amazing.”
Westbrook Gardens is fantastic. It receives sunlight during the afternoon and remains free from strong winds.
It’s located just beside the ocean. It is also a popular destination, yet it isn’t overwhelmed or controlled by tourism, which makes it significant.
In the meantime, Linda Laslett, aged 82, has spent her entire life in the Margate region and mentioned that properties are sold “as fast as they can be” .
She stated, “They’ve consistently done so and always will. It’s a beautiful place. I would strongly suggest it to everyone.”
Phillip Horton settled into his house in Margate within a single month.
The 77-year-old remarked, “I really enjoy being here. So many new families are moving in. There’s a fast turnover. These numbers aren’t unexpected to me.”
Nevertheless, although some residents have expressed positive views regarding the arrival of new purchasers in the coastal village, others have grown more annoyed by the transformation of the previously laid-back beach destination.
The village now hosts several of Britain’s best-known celebrities,
including Tracey Emin, who bought an abandoned seaside structure in Margate in 2023, intending to convert it into a communal space
.
Although the elusive street artist Banksy has left his imprint on the town — quite literally — through spraying…
creating his most recent piece on the wall of a residence two years back,
prior to being recklessly destroyed by the municipal authority.
However, the rapid surge in interest for the resort, referred to as the “Camden of the southeast,” has had a price, according to numerous locals.
Portions of the historic town are now effectively part of East London, as local residents grumble, having witnessed waves of young professionals moving in with their soy lattes and well-bred pets.
Local inhabitant Pauline Kirkwood, aged 72, who has resided in Margate for half a century, once mentioned to the Daily Mail that people living in the coastal town felt ‘forgotten’.
A former retail employee remarked, “There’s much commotion regarding people moving here from London and everything being considered excellent. They keep talking about the new cafes, art exhibitions, and how it’s now fashionable.”
But it has only increased property values in this area, making it significantly more difficult for residents to purchase homes. Individuals who have spent their entire lives here cannot afford to buy a place. As a result, they either rent or depend on the local authority, despite being employed. It’s truly unfortunate.
Undoubtedly, they should come first? There are underlying problems too. It’s tough. You may present it in the best way possible, but I feel less secure now than at any point in the past 50 years of residing here.
So what actions are being taken regarding this issue? If you move just one street away from the shore, drugs are being dealt and used constantly.
Individuals face frequent hardships leading to significant issues. This occurs during daylight hours.
‘It’s scary.’
In the meantime, some residents mentioned they were forced to leave the property market because of the sudden surge in holiday homeowners and people from London.
Real estate in Clintonville West, for example, currently costs twice as much as it did in 2010.
Jessica Scott, 19, has spent her entire life in the town and earlier shared with The Daily Mail her annoyance over Londoners taking over what was once a peaceful seaside area.
She remarked, “The problem is finding a place to reside. I’m still living with my parents since it would be unfeasible for me to rent a space here.”
There’s a shortage of available homes. Many are converted into vacation rentals and remain unoccupied for much of the year. This can be frustrating for long-time residents.
Pauline, residing in Cliftonville, remarked: “It no longer seems like a vacation spot and lacks that coastal atmosphere.”
Kate Stuart, aged 85, who initially relocated to Margate from London 14 years back, mentioned that she is tired of the large number of individuals coming from the city, stating that it has “gone too far.”
She said: “I didn’t relocate to follow trends. I moved because I had no other options. It was what I could afford.”
They are arriving here now because they enjoy it and wish to transform it.
I know many people who have kids and grandkids living here, but they couldn’t afford to reside here anymore and buy a home.
Miss Stuart further mentioned that there was an absence of regard for the town.
She said, “Newer occupants frequently play loud music and create issues on the beach. They project it through their phone speakers. It’s very irritating.”
That didn’t use to occur. It’s simply a matter of not thinking about others anymore.
In the meantime, some residents claim that Margate’s shift into an artistic center catering to ex-Londoners has led to the arrival of dangerous substances near their homes.
Last July, a harmful batch of MDMA caused the death of a 17-year-old student and led to the hospitalization of 21 people following a performance at the local Dreamland venue.
Seventeen-year-old Emily Stokes passed away following a possible MDMA overdose at a drum ‘n’ bass event on June 29 at Dreamland—which some residents have since nicknamed “Drugland.”
Twenty-one more young people became sick following possible drug consumption – one of them remains in an artificial coma.
Ray Voss, a long-time resident of Margate who is 78 years old, has called the town home since 1966 and criticized the arrival of former London residents.
He said to The Daily Mail, “Between 60 and 70 percent of the individuals who arrived here use narcotics.”
When you move about, you can detect its scent. They are smoking marijuana.
It’s terrible when performances take place at Dreamland as well. It feels more like Drugland, Margate.
Frederick Jones, chief executive officer of Upstix, stated: “What prospective purchasers think about your house is only one aspect of the sales narrative.”
They must also picture themselves residing on your street and appreciating the nearby environment.
So, if you plan to promote a house in Margate over the next few months, make sure not to ignore the broader perspective.
Create a list highlighting the aspects you appreciate about your current location and share this with your real estate agent, if applicable, or with a property purchasing company such as ours, which can utilize this information to determine what we can provide for you.
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