Relocation - Matlock/Chesterfield/Sheffield!

[Windflower92]

Thought I'd gather info on here from people who know these areas. I've started thinking about my family moving away somewhere completely new, and the inlaws recommend Derbyshire area. I'd like to know what it's like to raise a family in any of these areas - currently have a 2yo and a 4mo. We like to be near shops/gym/toddler groups/pubs and cafes, but also like parks and walks and would like to be close to any sort of activity that my 2 girls would be interested in when they're older! We currently live just outside of Portsmouth, so like having access to a city but not actually living in it. So pros and cons anyone with experience...

Matlock - never been but like how it looks. Is it touristy? Is there lots of driving to places and is it suitable for teens?

Sheffield - nearly went to uni there and it has a nice feel whenever I've visited. Are there any nice family friendly areas nearer here that we could look at? Would like a house with a garden so no flats in the city centre!

Chesterfield - never been but looks like it's got enough going on to entertain kids/teens with a good link to Sheffield and the country. What's it like here?

Of course we will visit places once we get more of a picture of what places are like and where to go, but thought mumsnet would be a good place to start!

Hello, Matlock resident here! I moved from Chesterfield 12 years ago and haven't looked back. It's a small town and it does seem that everybody knows everybody else but once you get used to that it's fine 😄 Good road links to the M1 (25 mins drive), plenty of pubs and cafes in the area and Chesterfield, Sheffield and Derby aren't too far away if you want cinema/bigger shops etc. It can get snarled up with traffic in the summer but you can avoid most of it if you know where to go. I don't have teens yet so can't comment on that but I've found it a great place to raise a young family. Let me know if you need more information!

Thanks @NeitherNowtNorSummat, sounds lovely! How does it compare to Chesterfield? Are there many families living there or is it mostly older couples? Sorry for all the questions!

It's hard to compare in a way as I left Chesterfield pre family. There are more shops and restaurants there as well as the cinema, so more choice, but to be quite honest I don't miss the town centre. Chesterfield is still good for road links and the fact you can be out in the Peak District in 15 mins from the west side of town. Matlock has a good mix of ages. I think the Derbyshire Dales does have a slightly higher proportion of older people, but still loads of families around. My DD for example has a big bunch of school friends living within a 3 minute walk which is great.

Thanks for that

I would also have a look at the area just above Sheffield and just to the west of the M1.

Penistone and surrounding areas in particular. Great transport links to Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester and only 10/15 minutes from M1; good schools and excellent secondary school. Nicely busy whilst also being rural and because it comes under Barnsley, housing is reasonably priced.

I don't live there but I definitely would

Thanks @NannyGythaOgg, will definitely check that out!

Bumping for the morning crowd!

Hi, I live in Chesterfield. I was brought up in Dronfield which is in between Chesterfield and Sheffield. I’ve brought my kids up in Chesterfield and my 17 year old goes to the gym and cinema and seems enough for him to do. He also catches the train and goes to Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield which also has a cinema.
There is a lovely park in the town centre where I took them when they was little. We are about 20mins from countryside, Matlock and Bakewell etc. Plenty of places to go for day trips. I’ve lived around the area all my life so I can’t compare it to other parts of the country, we like it though and I’ve no plans to leave.

Thanks, that sounds lovely! I do like that it seems in the middle of Matlock and Sheffield; hopefully enough choice for the kids to be happy! Are there any rougher parts of Chesterfield that we should avoid?