Relocate to Derby/ Derbyshire- Advice?

[Forfamily]

Hi Everyone!

I hope you and yours are safe and well.

We are a family of 4, we have two DDs 4 and 6.5 years, and are currently looking into moving out of the Bromley area to the Midlands, possibly to Derbyshire.

We are looking for a change in lifestyle but also don't want to be out in the "sticks" as one of my fears are moving out of London not knowing anyone and becoming very lonely and sad. I am a very social person and have great friendship grps here as well as my girls.

We are looking for a cosmopolitan/diverse area with good transport links to visit, good schools, good sense of community/friendly, things for us to do as family on the weekends, good parks and not too far from shops/supermarkets.

Could anyone recommend where to look into/where to steer away from?

It'll be great to get any help, advice/ suggestions.

Much appreciated in advance!

have you thought about sutton coldfield? or edgbaston

still midlands, but more birmingham

Cosmopolitan and diverse aren’t words I’d really associate with Derby and definitely not Derbyshire. Do your research carefully OP

@themummyway we have decided that we wont be looking at Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
Thanks for replying though x

Duffield is lovely. William Gilbert, primary, Ecclesbiurne secondary. However, it’s not cosmopolitan and although we love it I wouldn’t necessarily want to live there as it’s very small and mostly not London.

If you want London/cosmopolitan then the East Midlands is probably not for you-it’s not for us.

@augustusglupe we plan to.
Thank you

@superram thank you I will look into Duffield. I have come across William Gilbert and it looks like a good school.
I totally get we wont get London cosmopolitan but we are a black family and we would like some diversity.

[quote Forfamily]@superram thank you I will look into Duffield. I have come across William Gilbert and it looks like a good school.
I totally get we wont get London cosmopolitan but we are a black family and we would like some diversity.[/quote]
If you're a black family, then why are you ruling out Birmingham?

I'm also black and there's a great community up there! X

Otherwise, try Leicester? Derby isn't too great diversity-wise as someone said before

Having lived there I can say with confidence, if 'cosmopolitan' is what you are after you're barking up completely the wrong tree with pretty much anywhere in Derbyshire. Duffield is beautiful but it's a rural village.
I lived in a nearby village and am of mixed heritage, as far as I was aware there was me and one other woman that weren't white. That being said I was made very welcome and had friends of all ages.
I'd look more towards Solihull/Warwickshire way if I were you. Stratford upon Avon, Warwick or Leamington Spa might suit.
If you are dead set on Derbyshire though look at Ashbourne.

I live near Derby
Belper is quite an arty area and lots going on
Wirksworth
Matlock
Chesterfield
Alfreton
Duffield
Parts of derby - allestree, five Lamps area, quarndon, mackworth

You really need to come up post lockdown, and see for yourself and get a feel of places

Have you considered Sheffield? It would tick all of your boxes and is a very friendly city with lots going on.

Jumping onto this thread! I’m on the process of moving to Derby and surprised locals say it’s not diverse as we saw plenty ethnics today when we visited. I’m mixed race myself and would hate to move my kids if we’d stick out like a sore thumb!
The property I may be moving to is near the city centre, which seemed quiet enough although obviously with what’s going on I couldn’t possibly judge properly. I’ve only stumbled across this thread as I’m rather nervous about moving to Derby as a single mum with a 6 year old and 6 month old.

Derby is very ethnically diverse. But it certainly isn't cosmopolitan. I've lived in Derby for over 20 years. Grew up in the Black Country. Derby people (as a whole, sorry!) aren't as friendly.

@MamaLion1319
Plenty of black, Asian and mixed heritage people in Derby. Don't worry!
I really must tell you to steer away from the city centre. It's really going down hill. Not great for children at all.

I have lived in Leicester and Derby and I much prefer derby. Derby people are friendly enough certainly no less so than Leicester. Belper is a really nice place as is Duffield, and some of the other places people mentioned. I found with Leicester I was unable to get a lot of what I wanted shopping (not food shopping) wise whereas in Derby I found everything I needed. Even my fiance who originates from Leicester prefers Derby/shire. He said it seems to have much nicer areas.

@fantasmasgoria1 I'm in the opposite boat to you! From Derby, living in Leicester with DH who is Leicester born and bred. He hates Derby, thinks it's an absolute hole, I don't hate but dislike Leicester for exactly the same reason! Luckily we live in a lovely, small village south of Leicester which works for us both but if I had it my way we'd be muuuuch closer to Derby than Leicester!

Derby has more trees than any other city.
Central Park was based upon Normanton Park.

Strangely I also used to live in Bromley and now I live in the East Midlands!
I live in West Bridgford which ticks all your boxes - except it's just outside of Nottingham! Fabulous place though!

I moved to Derbyshire 15 years ago from London. Outside derby city centre, It's got to be the least diverse or cosmopolitan place in England. I still to my shame do a double take when I see anyone who isn't caucasian. Saying that, please move here, I long for it to become more diverse.

Used to live in Derby - would suggest Duffield, Darley Abbey, Allestree, Quandon or anywhere in the Ecclesbourne school catchment area.

@ILikeyourHairyHands

Have you considered Sheffield? It would tick all of your boxes and is a very friendly city with lots going on.

I was going to suggest this. I moved from London to Derbyshire but I am really closer to Sheffield. Easy access to the Peak District and countryside but also the benefits of a diverse city. Good rail links and access to the M1.

I lived in London for 15 years - elephant and castle area and worked in inner city areas. I moved up here near derby 15 years ago and worked across derby and Nottingham-and was completely taken aback by the friendliness of people up here. I'm from the West Midlands, and i'd got used to the stand offishness of Londoners - once you got to know them it was fine. Now when I go down to London - I smile and say hello to people - as I do up here and get blank stares looks of fear and mistrust, sadly

I agree about west bridgford and also Beeston near Nottingham. But don't dismiss derby or Derbyshire

@ElizabethMainwaring would it be okay as a temporary stop gap until we find somewhere in a suburb? Or is it really rough? I’m swapping as part of housing associations and have been looking seriously for over a year. I’d be lucky to swap to a 3 bed house from a 2 bed flat, the house is too small to be long term anyway :(

I live in Derbyshire not far from Ashbourne. If I could choose to live somewhere else I would probably go for Wirksworth. Ashbourne has a lot going on, Arts festival, good secondary school, my kids go there and lots of bars and restaurants. Bakewell is similar. Buxton I think is up and coming and not too far to drive to Manchester. There is an opera house there that has lots of shows and loads of lovely restaurants.

@MamaLion1319
I've sent you a personal message.