Whitstable and/or Margate?

Both these places are candidates for my retirement so I shall be v interested too!

I can't speak for Whitstable, but Margate is a dump

Thank you downsized This is what we were afraid of! We have no idea, hence the question.

I have never been to Whitstable but want to go as many people have said it is lovely. Margate seems to have drawn the short straw but they are trying to invest in it, the Tate etc. Thing is, if you stayed in Whitstable, Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and Canterbury are all fairly close. I think it would be worth a visit.

Whitstable. Margate is a bit bleak.

Personally I love Whistable - it is very 'up and coming', however Margate not so much......

Last time I went to Whitstable it was lovel - quiet but still nice - place to get fresh crabs and things. Friends of mine go there all the time.
Not too far away is Deal - that is a lovely town - old fashioned sort of high street etc.

Sandwich is lovely as is Rye a little further round the coast much nicer than either Whitstable or Margate.

Thank you everyone. That's very helpful.

Agree that Rye is beautiful as is Canterbury.
Do let us know what you decide on

My in-laws come from Westgate and we know the area well.
Don't move to Margate or Cliftonville,
They lived in Sandwich for a while, and that's OK.
I would move to Broadstairs.

Whitstable is a much better bet than Margate. We started off married life in Whitable. It's a bit more central, too, than Margate for getting to other places.

If you're not too bothered about being by the sea, nearby Faversham is an interesting little town.

Thanks everyone.

Avoid Margate. All other places mentioned have their merits. Im not that familiar with Sandwich but H and I like Whitstable

Looks like it's Whitstable then! Thanks all.

Whitstable is nice, and so is Sandwich. I've only passed by Margate and, by all accounts, that was probably the best thing to do.

However, Margate seems to be quite fashionable these days and is said to have improved.

Personally, I prefer the Sussex coast - even Hastings, which many people also say is a dump.

If you like good food, it's whistable.
Margate was the place to go for a beano in my mis- spent youth. Happy days.

We have been on holiday to Whitstable for the last few years. Love it.
Quite small and quaint.
Not far from Canterbury
And Broadstairs is lovely too.

Have lived in both in recent years. Be aware Whitstable is difficult for parking at weekends and B&B at a premium - nearby Faversham may be better value for money and has a lot of character, a nice antiques market on the first Sunday of every month and good pubs / restaurants. All places are very near Canterbury.

IF you go Margate way and like cinema, check out the Carlton at nearby Westgate / tiny cinema in Broadstairs - much better experiences than the big named places.

Seasalter - between Whitstable and Faversham - boasts the renowned Sportsman restaurant if you are foodies.

Enjoy xx

Thanks for the information everyone.