To ask about living in Chesterfield

[Didiusfalco]

I noticed a few Chesterfield mnetters on a thread last night, so I'm hoping they're still around to give me some advice.

Dh is on a secondment to the north of Nottingham not far from the m1, if it becomes permanent we are going to need to relocate. We have looked at other places but liked Chesterfield when we visited.

Can anyone tell me about which areas are nice, where to avoid? Which schools are good? What the housing market is like? Whether it would be an easy place to settle as an incomer? Thanks.

No to Chesterfield!!!!!

I grew up in Chesterfield and think it's a great place to raise a family! Yes there are some run down parts but no more than any other town/city and with the Peak District on the doorstep you won't even notice. You are near to Chatsworth House which is a fab day out (access to parkland is free), and plenty of national trust places in the vicinity. Sheffield and Nottingham are easily accessible. Meadowhall for shopping. Good nightlife. Under 2 hours on the train to London.

It isn't a particularly diverse area so that may be different if you currently live in a city. Overall people are friendly, the town is safe and there's enough to keep the family busy for years.

IMO Brookfield is the best secondary and Walton a very nice area to live, as are Wingerworth and Holymoorside (small village), parts of Newbold and Brampton are nice too and you'll get more for your money in Ashgate.

Hope you find somewhere you like OP!

Going on from fatshitcrazy's post, have you considered the Mansfield area? The A38 is a bit easier for commuting between Nottingham and Worksop (I also lived in Woodhouse for a while) and Cuckney is a quaint village with a lot going for it.

The town centre is a little outdated admittedly, but I honestly don't think it's all bad. Low pavement (indoor shopping area) is very outdated, but other parts aren't too bad.
The market used to be fantastic, really bustling and lively, but is pretty crap now, due to high fees. It's a shadow of its former self. The vintage/flea market on a Thursday is always busy though.

If looking at Mansfield bare in mind that the schools are mostly shite! The decent ones are all around the Berry Hill area

I was very sad when I was told the 'pound a bag' man had died. He made the market, just like the shire horse and cart that goes along outside where Littlewoods used to be.

Wow - thanks for all the extra answers everybody. I've spent quite a lot of time looking on maps, using google route planner, and taking a glance at ofsted reports. I had a thread going when dh started his secondment and we were considering Ashby de la zouch, I got loads of advice (think you may have helped on that one eastmidsmummy). Other areas we considered were Ruddington, and Southwell (not good journeys in traffic), Belper (haven't actually visited yet, maybe too small?) Beeston (sent dh with right move listings - he didn't like it!) Wollaton - which I haven't entirely ruled out but schools seem over-subscribed/iffy.

I'll have a look at Cuckney Boogers.

I think we will have to go back to Chesterfield in miserable weather as it was glorious sunshine and most places look good when it's so bright and have a look at some of the areas mentioned on this thread. Thank you all!

I know this is an old thread but just wondering where you moved to in the end OP? We are in same position live in Birmingham but DH works in Chesterfield and after four years is fed up of commute . So far looked at Ashbourne, Matlock, Wingerworth, Brampton, Hollymoorside. we have DS 16 doesn't want to move .