Moving to Derby: what you need to know
The city of Derby is the county town of the county of Derbyshire. Sandwiched between a green belt to the north and the south, Derby is the only city in the county. Derby holds a very central location of the UK, surrounded by Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. And the city has a population of 255,000, making it a relatively small city. However, because of its central location Derby has excellent links to Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham, and Manchester.
If you’re considering a move to Derby and don’t know the area well, we can help. Our area orientation service is a completely bespoke introduction to the city. We’ll show you around residential areas that match your needs, as well as key areas of interest. It’s just another way we make moving easy.
The history of Derby
Derby has a long illustrious history with industry. It was considered one of the leading powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution and enjoyed a period of great growth. Derby is actually considered as having been at the forefront of modern industry. In homage to this great industrial history, the Derwent Valley Mills are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To this day Derby is home to world leading companies and leaders in their industries: Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota all have major sites in the city.
The city has a number of impressive historical buildings, including many mills: remnants of the industrial boom of the past. But arguably the most famous is Derby Cathedral – the second highest perpendicular church tower in England. In fact climbing the 189 steps to the top of the Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist activities in the city.
Derby: the culture of the city
Derby is a friendly, multicultural city in the midlands – expect to be called ‘duck’ by friendly locals (a local word for friend or mate). With a mix of museums, a strong live music scene, busy theatre timetable and a wide variety of restaurants and bars, Derby has a vibrant and exciting culture. The city is also known for being a great retail destination, with people travelling to visit the Intu Derby mall.
There is also a real sense of sporting pride in the city. The Derby County Football Club (locally known as The Rams) plays at the iPro Stadium just outside the city centre. There is also the Derby Velodrome where professional and University of Derby cycling teams’ practice.
Things to do in Derby
Not sure what to do in Derby? Here’s our list of the top things to do, perfect for anyone who has just moved to the city:
• Visit Belper River Gardens for a relaxing and peaceful afternoon.
• Jump in the car and explore the Peak District, which is under a one-hour drive from the city.
• Enjoy a day (or night) in Nottingham: visit the castle, check out Sherwood Forest, or just enjoy the shopping, restaurants and bars of Derby’s closest neighbouring city.
• Enjoy a meal at the Water Margin, our favourite Chinese restaurant in the city, which serves up delicious food in a relaxed setting.
• One for the sports fans: catch a Rams home game at Pride Park. No move to Derby is complete without seeing the local professional football team play at their home stadium.
Where to live in Derby
Houses in Derby are priced very competitively, with the average detached home for sale at around £310,000 (accurate as of March 2019). The strong industry links and close proximity to other major cities in the midlands and the north make Derby a very attractive place to relocate to.
These are our favourite areas of the city:
• The Cathedral Quarter – this area of the city centre offers convenience and Victorian buildings set in a historical neighbourhood.
• Littleover/Mickleover – two family friendly areas, offering large semi-detached and detached period homes.
• Elvaston – set just outside the city, this quiet village location offers a short commute into the city.
• Chaddesden – a large suburb to the east of Derby with beautiful family sized houses.
• Alvaston – a great choice for those commuting to Derby’s biggest employers, with a mix of property sizes and styles available.
If you need help picking your ideal Derby location, let our home search team make it easy for you. Our bespoke home finder service provides you with a personalised shortlist of properties in areas that we’re confident you will love. With Santa Fe Removals, make moving home easy for you.
Education and family life in Derby
Derby is a great location for families, with an excellent selection of schools. Derby City Council operate a two-tier school system, and there are a number of state and independent schools providing education up to the age of 18. The education institutions across the city are well respected, with many rated Excellent by Ofsted (Derby Pride Academy and Landau Forte College are just two examples).
Derby is also home to Derby University, as well as being a commutable distance from both Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University.
If you want help finding the right school for your family, our school search service matches you with the right educational facilities for your needs and preferences. Take the stress out of moving with Santa Fe Relocation.
Derby: Travel information
Derby has excellent travel links. The city’s close proximity to other main cities makes it a great choice for those commuting from Derby to Nottingham, Sheffield, Leicester, Stoke or Birmingham (all of which are under an hour’s drive away).
The Derby train station offers reliable and frequent travel to all the major surrounding cities, as well as a direct train into Paddington Station taking just two hours. The train from Derby to London St Pancras runs frequently and takes just 90 minutes.
For longer UK journeys and international travel, Derby is just 30 minutes by car from East Midlands Airport in Nottingham. East Midlands Airport has flights to over 100 domestic and European destinations. For long haul destinations, Birmingham Airport is just 40 miles away.
Santa Fe Relocation: how can we help with your move to Derby?
Our specialist removals service gives you ultimate piece of mind. With every stage of the moving process over seen by your move co-ordinator, we can arrange everything you need to make moving home easy. From packing and unpacking, school search to handyman, we are there to support you at every step.
Get a free moving quote, and see how we can make your move to Derby the easiest move of your life.
