A Guide to Living in Derby

Where is Derby?

Derby is located in central England, making it the perfect location for those who commute to other cities such as Nottingham. It is situated on the River Derwent and has a population of around one hundred thousand people.

Areas in Derby

There are lots of areas within Derby that you could choose from if you’re looking for somewhere to live. For example:

Derby city centre – Derby city centre is perfect for those who want to be close to all the action. It’s home to a lively nightlife and plenty of restaurants and shops for you to visit.

St Thomas and Arboretum – This area is a lovely place to live if you want an inner-city location that’s also close by the coast. It has lots of parks and green spaces, including Markeaton Park which hosts an annual food festival called Derby Festé.

Allenton – Allenton is a great place for families to live if you want somewhere with affordable housing prices. It has lots of parks and green spaces, including Allenton Park, and a range of schools to choose from.

Chaddesden – Chaddesden is perfect for those who want to be close to the city centre but also have easy access to the countryside. It has some lovely parks like Chaddesden Park and Stenson Fields Recreation Ground, which are great places for walking your dog or taking kids on a bike ride.

Spondon – Spondon is well known as an area with large detached houses, so it’s popular among those looking for a bigger property. It has some lovely nearby parks such as Markeaton Park and Alvaston Park, both of which are great places to walk or exercise outdoors with friends or family members.

Universities in Derby

Derby has two universities,  the University of Derby and De Montfort University. Both universities have received high rankings in recent years, with the University of Derby being ranked as one of the top universities in the UK for employability.

University of Derby – The University of Derby has a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as strong links with businesses in the area. It’s also ranked highly for its employability, making it a great choice for those looking to start their career after university.

De Montfort University – De Montfort University is known for its arts and media courses, and also has a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Schools in Derby

There are a number of good schools in Derby, both state and private:

Merchant Taylors’ School – an independent school that has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. It takes both boys and girls up to the age of 18. In 2015, 35% of its students were awarded A* or A grades in their GCSEs.

Littleover Community School – a secondary school with around 1250 pupils. It was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2009 and 2013 but was downgraded to ‘good’ in 2017.

Derby High School – an independent school that takes both girls and boys from ages 13-18. In 2015, 64% of the school’s GCSE students received grades A*-C.

The Moravian School – a private, Christian school with just over 200 students. It has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted on all occasions it has been inspected.

Population of Derby

Derby’s population is around 250,000 people, making it the seventh-largest city in England. It’s a diverse and multicultural city, with a wide range of different cultures represented.