Living in Canterbury – A Home Moving Guide

Are you considering moving to Canterbury?

When living in Canterbury, locals can anticipate a great choice of properties, some outstanding schools and an excellent location in the capital’s suburbs.

Canterbury’s location in the beautiful county of Kent and the convenient connections across the region means its popularity has risen significantly!

Living in Canterbury provides residents will have excellent connections across the county and even into London, making it a great area to move to.

Moving to a new area is never straightforward.

This is especially true when you do not know a lot about the region you may be moving to.

Before you start planning your move, it is important to collect as much information about the area as you possibly can.

If you are considering living in Canterbury, this is the page for you!

We hope to give you all the crucial information you will need when living in Canterbury.

Encompassing everything from house prices to the cost of living in the area, we hope to give you a complete guide to living in Canterbury!

Housing Market in Canterbury

If you are thinking of living in Canterbury you are in for a treat.

Canterbury has a diverse property market offering various types of properties to appeal to a variety of different buyers.

The city offers a mix of historic and modern homes.

Typical property types in the city include terraced houses, semi-detached houses, detached houses, flats and bungalows.

Clearly, there is plenty of choice when it comes to property types in the area so there should be something to suit your budget.

In terms of good areas to buy a house in and around Canterbury, the following areas are particularly popular:

• St. Dunstan’s: This area is known for its charming Victorian and Georgian houses, as well as its proximity to the city centre and Canterbury West train station.
• Wincheap: Located to the east of the city centre, Wincheap offers a range of property types, including Victorian terraces and modern apartments. It is also very well-connected and has a variety of amenities available to its locals.
• South Canterbury: The South Canterbury area features a mix of period properties and newer developments. It offers a more suburban feel and is a popular choice with families thanks to its good schools and green spaces.
• Hales Place: Found on the outskirts of the city, Hales Place is primarily a residential area and is known for its more relaxed atmosphere. It offers a mix of houses and apartments, with convenient access to the University of Kent.
• Blean: Located a short distance north of Canterbury, Blean is a village known for its rural charm. It offers a good mix of period cottages and modern homes, making it a desirable spot for those seeking a quieter lifestyle.

For more information and up-to-date house prices in Canterbury be sure to check out Zoopla.

Renting in Canterbury

For those new to the area, opting to rent before taking the huge step of buying your own home in Canterbury is a wise decision.

Particularly so if you have children.

You want to be located in a nice safe neighbourhood close to good local schools.

Renting gives you the opportunity to thoroughly explore before taking the plunge.

For individuals looking to rent a property, Canterbury’s rental market offers a variety of options.

Thanks to the presence of Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent, the city has a significant student population, which increases the need for student rental housing.

This makes up a large percentage of the rental market in the city.

However, in addition to housing for students, rental homes are also available to families, retirees and young professionals.

When it comes to property types it is easy to find rentals that are flats, terraced properties, semi-detached and detached homes.

As with anywhere, the type, size, location, and condition of the property all affect the rental cost in Canterbury.

Location is particularly important when it comes to cost.

Property prices in the city centre are typically higher than those in the suburbs or nearby villages.

More more details about the cost of renting in Canterbury visit the Home website.

Cost of Living

As the cost of living continues its steady rise upward, many of us are having to take a very long hard look at our spending and how we can make changes in order to cut back.

Canterbury is considered a prosperous location, the cost of living here is higher than in some towns around the region but there are numerous ways you can save.

If finding you are short of money by the end of the month is not incentive enough, having a goal or something nice to look forward to such as a holiday is an excellent way to motivate yourself.

Where Can You Save Money?

You can do plenty of things to kick-start your saving regime.

Firstly, go through your bank statements. You will see exactly what and where you spend your money each month.

Make sure all your direct debits and subscriptions are still current or are necessary.

Cancel any of those you no longer use or use rarely, such as the gym membership subscription.

Avoid shopping in high-end food stores and swap out.

Change to budget-friendly stores such as Lidl, Aldi, and Iceland. Canterbury has a number of these stores.

Canterbury’s twice-weekly market is just the place to save on groceries.

Even more savings can be made by waiting until the stalls are starting to pack up, they practically give food away at this time.

Instead of going out four times a week, cut it back to twice. Whilst Canterbury has some fabulous places to eat, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a meal.

Students know exactly where to go without having to pay top dollar for eating out.

Two of the most popular places to try are Saint Smokey’s Barbecue House and Club Burrito both low-cost choices.

Get out and enjoy Canterbury’s lovely parks and green spaces.

For a comprehensive list of parks and play areas, click here.

A financial spring clean will ensure you are not wasting any of your hard-earned cash on unnecessary spending.

Plus, it brings you a step closer to your financial goal or holiday, or whatever it is that makes you happy.

Best Schools in Canterbury

Renowned as an area with high levels of education provision, those living in Canterbury are spoilt for choice when it comes to schools.

This runs all the way from primary school age up to university level education.

The top primaries include St Peter’s Methodist, which was rated as “good” by Ofsted.

St Stephen’s also received a report of “good with many outstanding features”.

Some of the top-performing secondaries include Simon Langton Boys’ Grammar, St Anselm’s Catholic, Barton Court Grammar, which are all considered as “good”.

The Canterbury High School was deemed “very good” and The Archbishop’s School “outstanding”.

Canterbury is also home to three universities.

These include the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University for the Creative Arts.

The largest, the University of Kent, has its main campus situated on a 600-acre plot in the city.

The university offers students outstanding teaching and excellent employability.

There are also plenty of opportunities to study and work abroad when attending this uni.

Things to do in Canterbury

Living in Canterbury is full of great things to do.

The city is a popular tourist area, meaning there is a range of great things to do in your spare time.

This includes both within the city and in the surrounding region.

Canterbury Cathedral is amongst the top attractions in the area.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a popular destination for a range of tourists and locals.

It is also one of the greatest examples of mediaeval Norman architecture in Britain and is visited by millions every year!

It is a truly unique and must-see attraction.

If you are keen to learn more about the history of Canterbury and the surrounding area be sure to visit the Canterbury Heritage Museum.

Housed in a stunning medieval building on Stour Street, the museum is home the Poor Priests’ Hospital, with its fantastic, beamed ceilings.

Nearby Herne Bay and the surrounding countryside offer plenty of opportunities to explore Kent’s natural beauty.

Howletts Wild Animal Park is set in 90 acres of gorgeous parkland and is a must-visit for those with children.

The park is home to a range of rare and endangered species that includes gorillas, lions, tigers and elephants.

Transport Links

Living in Canterbury offers excellent local and national transportation links.

Getting around the region is incredibly easy thanks to the convenient public transportation found in the city.

There are also good links to the rest of the UK.

There are plenty of ways to get around the city.

Canterbury is easily accessible by road.

The city is located just off the A2 and A28 which connect it to other major cities in the region.

The M2 motorway is also within driving distance, providing easy access to London and the wider motorway network.

When it comes to rail links, locals are well accounted for.

The city has two main railway stations.

Canterbury West station is located in the city centre and offers regular services to London St Pancras International, with a journey time of approximately one hour.

On the other hand, Canterbury East station is located slightly to the east of the city centre and offers services to London Victoria, Dover, and Ramsgate, among other destinations.

Both stations also provide connections to other towns and cities in Kent and the rest of the UK.

Ready to Start Living in Canterbury?

Are you thinking of moving to Canterbury?

Whether you want to make the most of the choice of good schools or you are looking for a job in the area, Canterbury is sure to appeal.

There is also a range of outstanding properties available in the Canterbury area.

Meaning there is surely a home for you when living in Canterbury.

GoodMove will make your move to Canterbury an easy and stress-free process.

We take great joy in ensuring everything runs smoothly and flawlessly, helping you to settle into your new home right away.

As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also offer extra services such as temporary or long-term storage facilities should you need them.

To find out more about how we could get your dream move to Canterbury or any other location underway do not hesitate to call us on the number listed above.

Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or click on our live bot in the bottom right and a member of our customer services team will be in touch shortly.