Moving to Ripley / Belper Derbyshire - is it for me?

[Citymouseruralhouse]

Hi! My husband & I are considering moving from SW London to the Derbyshire countryside for a lifestyle change, peaceful outdoors, bigger house, & to be closer to family as we look to start our own.

We've found our dream property in Butterly near Ripley / Codnor / Swanick (v quiet, surrounded by fields, a few (older) neighbours - not actually in Ripley or Butterly, but 2 mins drive), but I'm concerned we won't like the immediate neighbourhood & how remote it is.

Maybe I'm being a snob, but I get the impression culturally & economically there isn't much going on there, & that we'd end up wishing we'd moved to Belper instead. I imagine we'd end up spending a lot of time in Belper socially (15 mins drive) but we just haven't found a house that compares to this one in Butterly - it ticks all our other boxes.

SO, my questions...

• Anyone familiar with these areas for some insight?
• Is Ripley showing any signs of improvement?
• Is the perfect house more important than the perfect location (especially when kids are involved)?
• Any advice on whether being 15 mins drive from a nice area gets tiresome after a while? We've always lived within walking distance of nice pubs/high street etc.

Sorry - lots of questions! :-)

Background: we both have suburban (Yorkshire) upbringings, have lived abroad in major cities, can WFH, will be trying for a baby next year, & aged 33 & 41.

Belper is THE place to live if you want stuff like you say...I am not sure Ripley offers as much "culture" as it were but it might. You will get a lot more house for your money in those areas though..Belper is expensive and available houses short. Nice enough areas though...I have a friend in Heage which is nearby too. Hopefully someone actually from those areas can help

I live not too far away in another part of Derbyshire. Belper is the nice bit, Ripley not so much.

I know Butterley is gorgeous but wouldn’t know what it’s like to live there. I would imagine as you say older well to do people.

I have to say, it can be a bit “fighting town” round some of those towns, Ripley, Codnor, Heanor etc. Bit Brexit voting, and that is putting it politely. Sorry to offend anyone who lives there, it just is my experience/impression.

Belper is lovely and full of nice independent shops and a little cinema and nice cafes and a cinema etc. Think it was shortlisted for best town in England or something recently and won nicest places to live prizes.

Hope this helps!

I don't know those areas but I imagine it will be a bit frustrating after a while to be 15 minutes drive away from the action. Don't underestimate the appeal of being able to walk to the pub!

You are not wrong that there isn't going to be much going on culturally. It's another world from Belper.

Ripley is better than some of the surrounding areas. Like Codnor and Heanor which once had a bit of something about it but is now desolate. I live in Eastwood which was once the worst of the lot but is now on the up somewhat. Although it's all relative! We opted for a cracking house in a not good area, the opposite of what you are supposed to do, and we are happy here.

There are a couple of decent schools in Ripley but the secondary is not good. (I work in education.)

Handy for the police headquarters! 👮🏽‍♀️

Ripley is handy for Sainsburys but the town centre really isn't great and Ripley really isn't the place for culture and its not showing any signs of improvement.

Belper is lovely but starting to get a bit more expensive and houses are selling quickly, it does have a choice of 3 or 4 primary schools and then feeds into 1 secondary school. You will get more for your money in Ripley, and Butterley is very nice and good if you like looking at steam trains.

Depending on your budget I would buy in Belper as its very child friendly (pre covid it had loads of baby and toddler groups), lots of nice cafes, good public transport and some good nurseries.

I moved out of Belper a few years ago (only 10 minutes down the road), I do miss it and still visit most days, the drive for me into Belper is pretty rural so I don't mind it.

I think if you have lived in London then Ripley, Codnor area might be a bit of a shock for you as its one of the least diverse places in England. You could look at the surrounding villages such as Millford, Duffield (very expensive), Heage, Holbrook and Ambergate which are very nice with good schools and pubs and some lovely walks. Swanwick is also nice but a little further from Belper with a few more facilities.

Thank you for all your advice. We decided to go with Belper! :-)

Just came across this thread and it made me laugh as I have just been offered a job nearby. We're moving from Nottingham with a lot of time in London and I was a bit freaked out. Now reassured about Belper and OP if you check in, tell us how it's going!