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!

I really enjoy living in Derby, wouldn't consider leaving. Yes, it has it's issues, but it's the same problems pretty much any other city has.

In pre-COVID times, always tons to do, lots of groups and community organizations depending on your interests, and transport (as someone who can't drive) is pretty good and more consideration seems to be given to pedestrians and mobility devices than in many other cities I've been to. Schools you'll need to choose carefully, like any place there are trouble spots and we've quite a few new schools with an unsure track record, but that information is all out there. In Derby, Littleover has a long solid track record for schools, I think. Secondary is a bit of ways off for you, but their secondary Littleover Community School and the new Derby Cathedral School have a lot of positive feedback and those schools are known for having a diverse student base, as are many others. There is also good connections between many of the schools and vocational training places, which I really like.

I'm not sure about cosmopolitan as I think that's quite subjective, Allestree has a pretty good reputation, but I've not much personally experience north of Markeaton Park (which I love) and the University.

Night life is interesting, not typically my cup of tea, but there are many, many options (especially near the University side) and plenty of good taxi companies.

And of course it's only 20 minutes on the train to Nottingham if people want more nightlife .

A friend of mine worked at Bennetts, sadly it closed a few months ago even before Covid troubles, sounds like it was a real loss.

The thing about the East Midlands, it's not just about city centres, (which can be a bit hit and miss) there is so much to do in the area generally, country parks, water parks, all kinds of facilities and events, and it's often quick to get around.

I almost chose Derby and the east Midlands 18 months ago when trying to relocate. I chose the west Midlands in the end.

Outside of the city centre, I did not see much diversity and its not cosmopolitan. The parks were beautiful though, but I couldn't move for a park. Allestree, Mickleover and Littleover were where I was looking and a couple of others places. I have a spreadsheet still.

If looking at Allestree - look at Darley Abbey - closer to the city but great village vibe.

otherwise stay to the right of the A6 that way you'll be in the ecclesbourne school catchment, much better than st benedicts

@Forfamily My children are a similar age to yours and I moved to Allestree a few years ago. Happy for you to PM me if you want more info on schools or the area in general. I'm Derby born & bred so happy to help with other areas too

Agatha I've heard of the nightlife (and mmusic scene, e,g, Flowerpot) being great in Derby in the 60s/70s but tbf plenty of places have lost that buzz of the 60s since!

I agree with some of your points, e.g. that Intu is dominant - though mainly people blane the lack of parking around the indie Cathedral Quarter - it could be better but it's trying, couple of upmarket cafes open, along with already nice Bookcafe, the Waterstones in centre is very nice, there is Quad for indie cinemna and exgibitions.

It's not a buzzy plae but I'd say it definitely friendly. You can find you niche if yo make an effort with joinihg Quad / community groups - it's just not out there and obvious like in the big cities.

I don't see more drug use in the centre than in other town centres - annouying but iit's plaguing every town imo.

I agree with monday that the lack of buzz is compensated by friendliness - and I also come from London like her, and then lived in Briatol. I find people straight forward and friendly and quite cheery, mostly. The long tern locals, at any rate. I also like their softer character and way of speaking compred to the somehwat abrasive West Midlands (well Brum mainly).

Re Bennets - unfortunately it was just overpriced and therefore rather empty in the last couple of years, but otohthere are now two upmarket (proper) coffee places not too far.

For me also the big benefit is trabsport connections - as someone mentioned 20min by train OR bus to Nottingham, Sheffield 30min, etc.

sorry for ridiculous number of typos - I'm not on my usual device.

I think you should look at Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leiceste and their immediate surrounds rather than smaller towns in Derbyshire, OP. I’ve lived in Nottingham and Leicester and moved to a small town in Derbyshire after a few years in London and it was a shock to the system re the lack of diversity. We don’t live far from Manchester so obviously that is diverse but our home town really is not and I could imagine that making me uncomfortable if I was BAME. It’s friendly and pleasant here but cosmopolitan it is not - in fact we are looking to move back to a city for some more cultural and social opportunities although we will miss the lovely countryside on our doorstep.

Derby city itself is an utter wasteland, avoid at all costs. There are some lovely places in Derbyshire, but I wouldn’t say you’d find anything cosmopolitan.

Ashbourne probably the best you’re going to get in Derbyshire.

I grew up in Allestree - the end by Quarndon.

I live abroad now but go home every summer with my 3 boys.

Not much has changed since I grew up there!

In terms of schools, there are 2 lovely primary schools in Portway and Lawn and the secondary school is woodlands which has gone downhill.

I always found it quite an ageing population there, but lots of people I went to school with have stayed and moved back so it can't be all that ageing!

I liked growing up there but derby city centre has definitely changed with intu - it's almost derelict where it used to be buzzing.

We are looking at moving back to Derbyshire but further afield towards Wirksworth.

Cat I was a child in the 60s, so not quite ready for the pub/music scene at that point , but in the late 70s and 80s, Derby was a fabulous place for both.

Queen and Irwe - it's a crying shame what the city centre has turned into. I know a lot of city centres have suffered with out of town shopping etc, but Derby really has been destroyed by the Intu centre.

As someone who has spent over 40 years living around Derby, there are many nice places to live - Allestree, Quarndon, or further out somewhere like Belper (secondary school is fantastic. ) Avoid like the plague anywhere surrounding the city centre. Mickleover and Littleover are both nice, however, the amount of new houses being built in both places is ridiculous. I have several friends in Mickleover who are struggling with things like doctors appointments and school places because of the influx of new residents. It's really not seen as the 'posh' part of Derby it once was.

The city centre is, quite frankly, a shithole. The shops inside the Intu are all nice and shiny but half of them are empty, especially on the second floor. Outside you'll run the gauntlet of druggies, police and homeless. Unfortunately not many decent shops left outside now either.

Nightlife is very varied, from young clubs to cocktail bars to alternative places with gigs (saw someone mentioned the Flowerpot earlier, a great no-frills friendly pub for all ages!) There is often trouble on the weekends, but then no doubt not much different to most city centres, and police are usually out in full force.