Good locations in Derbyshire?

toria300

Hi All, we are moving to Derbyshire in 2 months. My husband got a job in South Normanton but we are looking for a house within max 20-25 mile distance. What locations can you recommend and which are best to avoid? We are a young family with 2 little children, so looking for a decent location with access to decent nurseries and primary schools. I've heard Belper is nice?
Thank you

marksoton

You really need to go and do your own research.

You're moving a whole family lock,stock and barrel. I wouldn't rely on anyone else's opinion but my own in that situation.

mcpitman

marksoton wrote: »

You really need to go and do your own research.

You're moving a whole family lock,stock and barrel. I wouldn't rely on anyone else's opinion but my own in that situation.

Agree with this....

I grew up in Loscoe, lovely little village, nice schools, some nice properties.

Belper's not too bad, Denby is nice.

uberalles

Whilst agreeing you need to do your own homework, give me an idea if you like towns , big and small, villages, rural or not, pubs or not, an idea of your budget, for what property etc etc.

It'll give you a starting point.

I know little of schools, although OFSTED do.

Grumpelstiltskin

One thing to think about if your husband is travelling to South Normanton is traffic.


Both the M1 and the A38 can be horrendous.


Like a previous poster said what type of area are you looking for?


If you are moving in 2 months then I presume you are looking for a rental, not enough time to purchase and move in.


So give us more details please.

lessonlearned

The best state school in the area at senior level is Ecclesbourne in Duffield. Although Belper is very nice and has become very trendy in recent years it's not in the Ecclesbourne catchment area.

Duffield is just a couple of miles south of Belper. There is a village called Milford between Belper and Duffield but I'm not sure which catchment its in for the schools.

WIrksworth is also very pretty although not so easy in winter for commuting and the secondary school - Anthony Gell - doesn't enjoy such a good reputation.

You do need to be careful with some of the areas around South Normanton, there are still a lot of depressed ex mining towns so you need to do some thorough research. Schooling can be patchy.

lessonlearned

I would second the comments about the M1 and A38, both are notoriously bad for congestion.

Belper and Duffield both have rail links to Derby, Matlock etc - might be worth checking as a back up in bad weather.

uberalles

Generally, the further West you go, towards and across the Peaks, the more rural it gets. and it can get very rural.

I lived near Monsal Head, Bakewell and now live either in the Matlock Hills or Somercotes (think South Normanton, they are similar and close to eachother).

Posters are right about the likes of South Normanton, Somercotes, Clay Cross, in fact most of the towns along the A61 from Alfreton to Chesterfield. They are ex mining towns and are viewed as being rough. Some of the places even look rough.

But we managed to find a lovely place in Somercotes backing onto field and horses. Very occasionally a get a boy racer smashing every speed bump.
People are working class but good as gold.
It might be rough but it's relative, I was brought up in Peckham.

ps. Agree about the A38, it can be a nightmare anytime of the day joining the M1. But that is why most locals don't use it.

toria300

Yes, we need to do our own research... and this is a part of it actually as we really don't know anything about the area I would be nice to get some indication, starting point.

toria300

Thank you for all your replies.

We are looking to move into a peaceful, friendly town, town outskirts or a bigger village with easy access to all the shops, etc. I like space and green areas that villages offer but I wouldn't like to feel too isolated.
I did some research and some locations are considered rough and dangerous...?
Good bars etc would be a bonus but it's not a must. At this moment we don't go out too often, I guess we will be looking for more adventurous life style once our kids grow up a little.
As I mentioned, we have 2 little kids (3 and 1 year old) so looking for a good nursery,playgroup, not too far from home.
With regards to our budget: Ideally 3 bed house with a garden, up to £170k

Grumpelstiltskin

Denby has been mentioned before, very few houses for sale, this is close to your price range.


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38242974.html


You are within easy reach of Derby for bars etc. and at a push you can get to South Normanton without using the A38.