Royal Tunbridge Wells

We are now looking at Tunbridge Wells as the place to settle into.  My Wife (UKC) and I both have friends that live there and are settled with a group of people that they know there. 
Just wondering if any other UKY members live in that general vicinity and what they think about it.  I have been there and we do like that area, but I have never lived there, and that is a lot different from visiting. 
I have been looking through all the papers and all the internet property sites looking for a place to let.  I like so many others have a dog and a cat, is that going to be a huge detriment in finding a place. 
We have a place to stay, with friends, when we first get there, but it is very very short term.  Wondering if there are any other ways to find a place to live.  Have any of you found a place to live in an unorthodox way that might be something to look into.
We are still at least 6 months out, just getting the pet passport and my wife's US citizenship taken care of before we move.

Thank you in advance

No real help here but this is where my bf lives so it's where I'll be moving when/if we decide to get married so I'll definitely be watching this.  I also like it there but it's pretty expensive (and I'm coming from NYC so I know expensive). 

It defiantly has its pricey places, but I have been finding a lot of flats and lets that are not badly priced.  I have been looking at the £800 -£850 range and have found some nice places.