Help we need to move to the Chesterfield area

[travelingsullivans]

We are looking at moving to the Chesterfield area or anywhere near there with in a 30min drive . I have two I kids age s 15 &13 . And we have no knowledge of schools or the area . Currently living in Madrid Spain so the kids have a lot of freedom in a safe big city. Looking for recommendations on nice areas to live near good secondary schools within the Chesterfield area or south of there as our family live in the south east. With Covid situation we haven't had any chance to go and have a look around so I really am asking for help or recommmendations. I know everyone has different takes on places but we really are coming in blind so any point of reference would be welcome. Thank you

[Choppingandchanging]

I'd say if the OPs DH wants a commute of around 30 mins, Leicestershire is out. Oadby is well over an hour plus the travel to and from the station.

[SandlakeRd]

I would avoid K-in-A and the whole Sutton/Mansfield area. A huge culture shock after Madrid!
However Ravenshead is a lovely village just outside Mansfield with good access to Nottingham too. Nearer Chesterfield you will have the naive Derbyshire villages and the old pit villages. Prices will give a good indication of what type of place you are looking at.
You will need to decide if you want city or village living really. City would be best off in the better suburbs of Sheffield. Town and village look at the area of Derbyshire.

[SandlakeRd]

Naice not naive ha ha

[CatAndHisKit]

Woodseats in Sheffield (it's on the edge of Sheffield on/around Chesterfield Rd).

Easy to get to Sheff centre (your teens will like Sheffield, well above any of the small places mentioned! it's small enough to be safe as cities go, and things are going on like music scene, clubs) and Woodseats has its own useful / rather charming High St. Don't know about school catchments though, but easy to look up.
It's quite a bit cheaper than other SW Sheffield suburbs like Dore (hugely expensive).

[CatAndHisKit]

Sand I took it as read and immediately pictured those naive villages with nice but gullible people who don't venture elsewhere much!

[Maves]

@supersonicginandtonic

Just so you are aware, Matlock is a lovely place but has a huge drugs problem. I work for the substance misuse service in Derbyshire.

In what sense?

[Aknifewith16blades]

Live in Sheffield and let your partner either drive or take the train to Chesterfield.

[BikeRunSki]

@supersonicginandtonic, I was put off a house in Stoney Middleton about 20 years ago when someone told me the same about there.

[Maves]

[quote BikeRunSki]@supersonicginandtonic, I was put off a house in Stoney Middleton about 20 years ago when someone told me the same about there.[/quote]
Well I can tell you now kids moan about the lack of drugs in matlock (😁)and I've never noticed anything how strange. Tbh every place has an element of drug issues. It's worse in little upmarket villages let me tell you.

[joseybloggs]

I would go for southern Sheffield out of the options definitely. Market Harborough is miles away, paddy is also miles away and not even that great at all, very random suggestions. Matlock and Bakewell are lovely to visit but because of this they can attract a lot of tourist and day crowds moving their from Madrid would be very different also. I would look at around Eccy road and Nether edge areas - access to the peak district and also Sheffield centre, it's a fabulous city.

[supersonicginandtonic]

@Maves I'm not talking about cannabis etc. I'm talking heroin and crack cocaine. You won't notice it if you don't know about it. They are also housing a lot of people from the homeless hostels in the bigger towns in places like Matlock.

[TangerineGenie]

I live about 15 miles from Matlock and it's always had a reputation as being full of junkies. I have no idea of the veracity of this claim but have heard it repeated on numerous occasions.

[Chosennone]

Re drugs
Yes I have a similar ish role near Buxton, Derbyshire. A huge surge in HMO housing ex convicts/evicted from social housing types and the associated drug problems they bring. However they seem a little more obvious in Matlock.

[CalmConfident]

I grew up just outside Kirkby in Ashfield. Agree with @SandlakeRd that it would be a shock after Madrid :) I would go south Sheffield. Market Harborough or Leicester defo too far away. Budget is a key consideration.

[CalmConfident]

Kids that age would benefit most from access to the city, not much to do in the villages no matter how pretty they are

[travelingsullivans]

We will be looking to rent a four to five bedroom house with a garden. But our priority is the school for the kids. If we find a good school we would ideally like to live within close proximity. As for town or village we really don’t mind either.

[Veterinari]

@travelingsullivans

We will be looking to rent a four to five bedroom house with a garden. But our priority is the school for the kids. If we find a good school we would ideally like to live within close proximity. As for town or village we really don’t mind either.

Then look at dronfield or SW Sheffield. Good schools and plenty to do

[travelingsullivans]

My husband has sent me a four bedroom house in Worksop. I have never heard of the place do you know anything about it. It seems to have more four bedroom places there but I don't know if it's a good area or not for schools. Can anyone in this group comment?

[clary]

I wouldn't live in Worksop op, it's not very nice (apols to anyone who lives there!) and there's not much to do for two teens used to Madrid.

I agree with others, in your position I would go for Sheffield - short commute to Chesterfield and lots to do, proper big city.

Alternatively Chesterfield itself has good schools, or yy Dronfield, and your teens (and you) can easily get to Sheffielfd (v short train ride, trains v frequent).

I live in south Derbyshire and wouldn't want to live in Matlock or Bakewell with teens. What is your budget?

Btw when is your 15yo 16? Will they be coming here at the end of year 10? or end of yr 11?

[clary]

I've just seen you said south of Chesterfield. If that's a factor I would look at Duffield (outstanding secondary but houses £££), Belper (good secondary, nice small town) or possibly areas of Derby (Littleover, Spondon, Chellaston, Allestree, Darley Abbey).

If you go a lot further south the commute to Chesterfield will be 45mins plus. Somewhere near George Spencer in Stapleford might be OK for M1 access tho. I'm not a massive fan of the school but pupils get good results.

[travelingsullivans]

Thanks . We have been looking for a four bedroom place with two bathrooms in Dronefield but the one that was advertised had gone in Feb already. Have found something in Brampton in Chesterfield . But really hope something becomes available in the Dronefield as so many people have recommended it . We were originally wanting to look south of Chesterfield as my in laws are all based in Kent so it would cut the commute down when we go visit them but kids schools and safety are my top priority. So it seems north of Chesterfield is the way to go. I really appreciate the in put thank you. Am feeling under pressure to just take any three bedroom in the area but we will then be stuck in it for a year so am a bit reluctant to settle . Ok will keep looking . Hope something comes up soon. Thank you

[clary]

tbh op Chesterfield and anywhere near it is a long long way from Kent so if I were you I would find something suitable in terms of schools and DH commute and just swallow a long journey to relatives every time. To be near enough to Kent to make much difference you would need to be halfway down the M1 which is not a feasible daily commute to Chesterfield. Sheffield or Derby? not much in it tbh, four hours to Kent either way.

[AnneTJB]

@travelingsullivans

Did you find anything nice in the end? We are moving to the UK in the next few months and looking at a similar area.

[travelingsullivans]

Hi we are still renting a 4 bedroom house just off Storrs Road. We are happy with area. Chesterfield is great not too small. It has everything you need and 8f you want to go to a big shopping mall or have a day of museums you can catch the train to Sheffield 12 min. Or Manchester or even go into London . It's 1h45 min by train . We have been looking to buy a house in this area which has proved harder. House prices have gone crazy since we got here and houses that are 9n the market aren't great . But yes we are here. I miss Madrid and always will. But Chesterfield is a nice little town we love walking and cycling and have field right outside our house. The canel is great to cycle down on the weekend and had a nice place to stop for breakfast. Feel free to drop us a line if you any other questions.8 am more than happy to help.

[AnneTJB]

Thanks for the answer, the Brampton / Ashgate / New Bold areas look nice (online) and are on our shortlist.

How have you found the local community?
Are there any areas you would avoid / be more keen on?

Thanks,