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Original poster

Moving to DERBY from NORWICH

65 replies

MaverickTee · 12/07/2021 16:03

Hi everyone,

My first post on here:)
My family is looking to move to Derby early Next year. DP will be working as a GP and we've got a 5yo DD and 1yo DS. We are mainly moving because of Diversity, being a family of colour, DD is struggling with not having a good mix of kids in her school etc, especially 'those that look like her' and this is starting to have an adverse effect. We are particular about GOOD SCHOOLS (especially Primary), family friendly, peaceful/quiet areas with good multicultural mix and facilities...

I hope we find nice places that tick most (or all) of our boxes.
Suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Tomnooktoldmeto · 12/07/2021 16:17

Hi Maverick

There are 3 areas I would suggest for you, Heatherton in Littleover has a diverse community with outstanding schools, facilities are good and you would be on the edge of the suburbs with open spaces around, it’s close to the Hospital and so has quite a community of medics and is also handy for both private schools

Chellaston is not quite as diverse but does have good facilities and again is on the edge of the city and close to nice open areas

Duffield is a village that a lot of Drs chose to settle, very community with lots of facilities and excellent schools, diversity isn’t as high as the other two but those of non Caucasian ethnicity living there are often Doctors/ Dentists/ solicitors etc so potentially colleagues for your DH

Dogmum40 · 12/07/2021 16:20

Hiya, I’m from near derby! Welcome to the area 😁 There are some fabulous villages around derby, littleover and mickleover are multicultural, I would also just point out that there are places that are mainly just blacks, just whites or just Asian and then there are wealthier areas such as quarndon and duffield (all very good commuter wise to the hospital) what’s your budget? And to be honest everything in between! I love the area and happy it’s very diverse and there’s all walks of life around here! It’s just down to budget whether you go suburban or posh 🤣

clary · 12/07/2021 16:23

Littleover has a great secondary and is a culturally diverse area.

Most primary schools i know of are pretty good so I would focus on diversity and secondary.

Darley Abbey and parts of Allestree feed to prestigious Ecclesbourne in Duffield but both school and those areas are predominantly white. (Sorry to the pp who says otherwise - that's my perception from seeing kids going to school).

If you choose Littleover area, make sure you are in catchment fir LCS and not Derby Moor.

clary · 12/07/2021 16:26

Sorry thought I named Littleover Community School but I see I just said LCS so yes, that's a great secondary that has diverse races in its intake.

Same for landau forte actually but it's not possible to be in catchment so tricky to say where is good to live.

Six Streets/struts Park area is central and close to lovely park so that may suit.

BarefootHippieChick · 12/07/2021 16:34

Coming on here to agree with pp about Littleover/Heatherton and Chellaston. LCS is a fantastic secondary school. Chellaston Secondary seems to have gone downhill a little (from friends pov), however it seems secondary for your children is still a long way off so not particularly a big deal at the minute. I don't know much about Derby primaries but I think the ones in those areas are probably all pretty good.

A good proportion of Derby is very diverse and we're very friendly people 😀

Tomnooktoldmeto · 12/07/2021 16:54

Clary you always like to make little digs, since my DC and friends have attended the Allestree/Duffield schools my experience is lived rather than perceived

Seainasive · 12/07/2021 17:00

Areas to avoid because very un-diverse: Alvaston, Boulton, Allestree.

Seainasive · 12/07/2021 17:01

Apologies Allenton not Allestree! I always get them mixed up

FadedRed · 12/07/2021 17:16

There are a lot of new houses being built around Derby at present, so another GP would be very welcome. Agree that Littleovet, Heatherton and Mickleover are worth a look at, and the Girls High and Boys Grammar private schools are in Littleover. There is also Repton Public school and Foremark Prep for boys (and Repton for sixth form girls) just a few miles up the road.

clary · 12/07/2021 18:02

@Tomnooktoldmeto

Clary you always like to make little digs, since my DC and friends have attended the Allestree/Duffield schools my experience is lived rather than perceived
Not sure what you mean by "little digs"! My dc went to school in Allestree and I know lots of dc who went to school in Duffield, and the majority of people they have known are white. I don't think it's a good thing FWIW
clary · 12/07/2021 18:11

Apologies tho @Tomnooktoldmeto if you thought I was having a go at you, honestly not. Ecclesbourne is a great school and your dc were lucky to there.

Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 00:44

@Tomnooktoldmeto This is quite helpful, thank you.
When I mention Diversity, i think most people assume that i mean just blacks etc but you seem to understand what I actually mean!
I have heard a lot of good things about Littleover and Mickleover and my DH and i were interested in a house in Mickleover but got sold before we could travel down to view it.
I am also looking at a Allestree, viewing a property there in few days. do you know anything about it in terms of diversity and over-all living experience?

OP posts:
Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 00:47

@Dogmum40

Hiya, I’m from near derby! Welcome to the area 😁 There are some fabulous villages around derby, littleover and mickleover are multicultural, I would also just point out that there are places that are mainly just blacks, just whites or just Asian and then there are wealthier areas such as quarndon and duffield (all very good commuter wise to the hospital) what’s your budget? And to be honest everything in between! I love the area and happy it’s very diverse and there’s all walks of life around here! It’s just down to budget whether you go suburban or posh 🤣
Hi @Dogmum40 Many thanks for your reply! Heard good stuff about Mickle and Littleover. Budget is about 400k, looking for a 4-bed detached.
OP posts:
Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 00:55

@BarefootHippieChick

Coming on here to agree with pp about Littleover/Heatherton and Chellaston. LCS is a fantastic secondary school. Chellaston Secondary seems to have gone downhill a little (from friends pov), however it seems secondary for your children is still a long way off so not particularly a big deal at the minute. I don't know much about Derby primaries but I think the ones in those areas are probably all pretty good.

A good proportion of Derby is very diverse and we're very friendly people 😀

Your replies to my first post ever is an evidence of Derby people's friendliness. I feel like packing up my bags already! What's it really like in Allestree?x
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Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 01:00

@FadedRed

There are a lot of new houses being built around Derby at present, so another GP would be very welcome. Agree that Littleovet, Heatherton and Mickleover are worth a look at, and the Girls High and Boys Grammar private schools are in Littleover. There is also Repton Public school and Foremark Prep for boys (and Repton for sixth form girls) just a few miles up the road.
@FadedRed we really don't mind the new developments, if they are in those areas that tick our boxes. Ideally, about 400k for 4 bed detached. I have told DH that you're welcoming him as a GP already and he's looking forward to it Grin Ta.x
OP posts:
clary · 13/07/2021 01:02

@MaverickTee I live in Allestree, it's very nice, quiet, lots of families and older people, good selection of shops, close to several parks, housing stock is 30s/50s/60 so decent size and plots, tho some is newer of course. Primary schools are good, secondary is RI. Mostly white faces - just asked DD and she thought of three non white people in her secondary teaching group over five years (so probably about 35 students with comings and goings).

You get more for your money in some other areas of Derby tbh. But we like it here.

clary · 13/07/2021 01:05

Where is the house you are viewing ?

shedofdread · 13/07/2021 07:10

Which bit are you working in?

I can't comment on schools but Allestree can be nice. I think if I could choose anywhere in centre-ish Derby I would look at Chester Green. With Allestree in particular think about the parking. There are more cars than parking spaces.

I would encourage you to have a look at Belper or maybe even Ashbourne. Lovely towns. Not ethnically diverse(sadly few of the"nice" places around Derby are) but you will be made welcome and there's lots going on. A 20 minute drive to Derby from Belper and regular buses. A bit more from Ashbourne. If they are a bit spendy Ripley is not nearly as bad as people say it is and your money will go much further.

Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 14:16

@clary The house is on memorial road

OP posts:
Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 14:19

Where is 'Langley Country Park' please?
I am seeing some properties in Spondon as well. Are these places any good for what we need, please?

OP posts:
Original poster
MaverickTee · 13/07/2021 14:21

@shedofdread I work from home, so I am more particular about where the kids will have a good, inclusive school.
I will certainly check Belper as suggested. Ta

OP posts:
clary · 13/07/2021 14:23

Memorial Road, very nice.

Langley Country Park is a new estate on the edge of Mickleover - because it is not in Derby City I believe the houses there are in Ecclesbourne catchment, however someone with up-to-date Ecc school knowledge may correct me - the estate agents claim they are but they are not always correct.

It's quite a long way from Duffield tho so I imagine it would be a school bus scenario.

I thought of Spondon OP - no one has mentioned it but it has an excellently performing secondary. No sixth form but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Nice houses. Handy for the A52. No idea on ethnic diversity tho.

Imdoingitnow · 13/07/2021 17:55

Spondon is quite pleasant in fact the villages near the a52 between Derby and Nottingham may be worth considering like ockbrook borrowash, draycott, breaston Toton etc

Derby has some real gems of parks - markeaton allestree park and Darley park.
Duffield belper Ashbourne are nice towns near Derby

Derby and derbyshire is generally a laid back friendly tolerant place. I've lived in several places including London and small towns too and I find it really accepting and welcoming

BarefootHippieChick · 13/07/2021 19:12

Spondon and Oakwood are lovely, as are some of the nearby villages pp mentioned. Mickleover is very nice, my only concern there would be that about a million houses appear to be being built there and around the outskirts. Friends I know who live there are concerned about the impact on primary and secondary school places, doctors surgeries, road infrastructure etc. Worth bearing in mind if you are looking there at all.

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 13/07/2021 20:03

Belper isn’t very culturally diverse but it is a very inclusive town with lots going on and you’d be made to feel welcome 🤗.