Best Areas to Live in Margate: A Local Guide for 2025

Moving to Margate? Here's What Each Area is Really Like

Margate is one of Kent's most exciting and diverse towns — a seaside town with a growing arts scene, regenerated seafront, and a huge variety of housing from Victorian terraces to modern seafront apartments. But not all areas of Margate are the same. As a local removal company based in Margate at 6 Cecil Square CT9 5JS, we move people into and out of every single neighbourhood — so we know them better than most.

Here's our honest guide to Margate's neighbourhoods to help you decide where to move.

Cliftonville — The Creative Hub

Cliftonville is Margate's most talked-about neighbourhood and one of the most affordable places in the South East to buy a Victorian property. The area has seen significant regeneration over the past decade, attracting artists, young professionals, and families priced out of London.

Property types: Large Victorian and Edwardian townhouses, many converted into flats or HMOs. Increasingly popular with buyers seeking period homes at affordable prices.

Pros: Affordable house prices, period architecture, growing arts scene, close to Turner Contemporary, walkable to Margate seafront and Old Town. CT9 2 postcode.

Cons: Parking is controlled (CPZ zones) — important if you're moving here with a car. Some streets are gentrifying unevenly.

Best for: First-time buyers, young professionals, creatives, investors.

Westbrook — Relaxed Seaside Living

Westbrook is a quieter, more residential area of Margate, west of the town centre, with a mix of 1930s semis, bungalows, and some period properties near Westbrook Bay.

Property types: Predominantly 1930s semi-detached houses and bungalows with gardens and driveways.

Pros: Quieter than central Margate, more accessible properties (driveways, wider roads), beautiful bay, good for families, less traffic than the seafront areas.

Cons: Less on your doorstep than Cliftonville — you'll need a car for most errands.

Best for: Families, retirees, those seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle. CT9 5 postcode.

Palm Bay — Family-Friendly Suburb

Palm Bay is a popular family neighbourhood on the eastern edge of Margate, with good schools, wide roads, and a more suburban feel. Bordering Broadstairs, it offers the best of both towns.

Property types: Post-war and 1960s–70s semis and detached houses, many with larger gardens.

Pros: Excellent schools, quiet streets, large gardens, close to Stone Bay and Broadstairs, good community feel.

Cons: Less "character" than Cliftonville, requires a car for most amenities.

Best for: Families with children, those prioritising schools and space.

Garlinge — Quiet and Affordable

Garlinge is an inland suburb of Margate — less well-known but offering excellent value for money, with mostly post-war housing and a quiet, community-focused atmosphere.

Property types: 1950s–70s semis, terraces, and some bungalows. Good-sized gardens common.

Pros: Very affordable, good community, quieter than central Margate, convenient for the A28 and Westwood Cross.

Cons: No particular wow factor, further from the seafront.

Best for: Buyers on a budget, those prioritising space and value.

Margate Old Town — Character and Community

Margate Old Town is the historic heart of Margate — cobbled streets, independent shops, seafront restaurants, and some of the most characterful properties in Thanet. Prices have risen sharply in recent years as it became a destination in its own right.

Property types: Georgian and Victorian townhouses, converted cottages, unusual and historic properties.

Pros: Unique architecture, incredible community, walking distance to Turner Contemporary, vibrant independent scene, genuine "destination" feel.

Cons: Expensive relative to other Margate areas, parking is extremely difficult, access for larger vehicles (including removal vans) can be challenging.

Best for: Those wanting genuine character and a central lifestyle. CT9 1 postcode.

Dane Valley — Underrated and Convenient

Dane Valley is one of Margate's less-publicised areas — inland, quiet, with a mix of housing types and good access to the town centre and transport links.

Property types: Mixed — Victorian terraces, inter-war semis, and some modern builds.

Pros: Affordable, good access to Margate town centre, less tourist pressure than seafront areas.

Cons: Less of a distinct identity than Cliftonville or the Old Town.

Best for: Commuters, first-time buyers, those wanting convenience over character.

Moving to Margate? We Can Help

Whichever Margate neighbourhood you're moving to, L&K Removals provides professional, fixed-price house removals in Margate. We know every street, every parking restriction, and every access challenge in CT9 — which means your move runs smoothly from start to finish.

Get a free quote for your Margate move today. Call 01233 743 408 or fill in our quick enquiry form.