A guide to living in East Midlands

Easy access to London and the national motorway network ensures the economic prosperity of the East Midlands, UK. A dedicated airport also serves to connect this central region to Europe and the world, with key cities Leicester and Nottingham also providing financial stimulus and good value options for housing. The county of Derbyshire includes much of the Peak District National Park, while culinary highlights from this corner of England include Red Leicester and Stilton cheeses. Manufacturing industries form a significant chunk of the local economy, and Rolls Royce recently invested £90 million in a new test facility in Derby.

Excellent

67.3%

Very Good

23.8%

Average

6.3%

Disappointing

1.3%

Very poor

1.3%

Best places to live in East Midlands

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 180

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

British Waterways, NG1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.86

(37 reviews)

A vibrant community of residents that feels like family, with the freedom to join in as much or as little as you like. Easy access to neighbourhood bars and restaurants in Nottingham. And a unique, Grade-II listed apartment that you’re proud to call home in an iconic location. Find it all at British Waterways.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 116 in East Midlands

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Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Saxons, LE1

By Centrick - Built for Renters

Award winner 2025

4.83

(61 reviews)

The Saxons comprises one and two bedroom apartments, with light from large, wrap-around windows. Although the development is in one of the most central locations in the city, each unit has been designed to offer privacy that feels removed from the hustle and bustle outside. With the city’s largest shopping centre located just across the road, those living at The Saxons can not only enjoy all of the on-site amenities, but also have easy access to a range of dining, entertainment, and retail options right on their doorstep.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 116 in East Midlands

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Lloyds Living at Gedling, NG4

By Lloyds Living

Award winner 2025

4.74

(27 reviews)

Lloyds Living at Gedling is a brand-new development of 2 and 3 bedroom homes. All the homes on this site benefit from solar panels. The development is boarded by the 240-acre Gedling Country Park and is just a couple of miles away from the bustling market town of Arnold which has a number of high street shops, independent retailers, banks, pubs, restaurants, a leisure centre and theatre. It is also only 5 miles from the centre of Nottingham and a bus network connects the development to the local towns and cities. There are also a number of local schools (nursery, primary and secondary) and a hospital nearby.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 116 in East Midlands

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Award Winner 2025

The Wullcomb, LE1

By Way of Life

Award winner 2025

4.72

(276 reviews)

The Wullcomb is a Build to Rent development managed by Way of Life, located in the heart of Leicester. The building offers 297 apartments with a mix of spacious Manhattan studios alongside one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents have the option of choosing a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Additionally, there are a wide range of facilities and amenities on site. These include 24h concierge, secure car park and cycle storage, a rooftop terrace, a shared kitchen and dining space with modern lounge and a private theatre room.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 116 in East Midlands

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Award Winner 2025

Queen Street Quarter, LE1

By BTR Operating Ltd.

Award winner 2025

4.55

(96 reviews)

A blend of classic and contemporary flats. A friendly, welcoming community of 230 homes. A prime city centre location. And a refreshing approach to renting. We think you’ll find that Queen Street Quarter is a special place to live. Imagine coming home to take a dip in the pool, relax in the coal-fired sauna, or a workout in our fully equipped, premium gym. Our stylish lounge and games room are perfect for unwinding when you’re feeling sociable. While the workspace makes working from home a pleasure. It’s central Leicester location means everything is a short walk away.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 116 in East Midlands

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Page 1 of 36

Featured developments in East Midlands

Latest Reviews in East Midlands

2464 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 2464

Emily K (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at The Atrium, NN6

Jun 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Perfect for our lifestyle

Emily K (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at The Atrium, NN6

Jun 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

There are still works going on in the development (which are out of the control of Leaf Living), but we have been in the property for about a month and love the location.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

We haven’t had to raise a property maintenance issue but when we had to request new bins for the property, Leaf Living were very helpful

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

No insights to be shared - everything was a normal and very smooth process

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Jessie S (Tenant)

Verified Resident

British Waterways, NG1

Jun 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Beautiful British Waterways

Jessie S (Tenant)

Verified Resident

British Waterways, NG1

Jun 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Lovely shops, pubs, and restaurants around and a convenient location to walk around, catch a bus, take the tram or even the train! My favourite blue bridge from the Justice center is the best way to get home! Loved the peace and quiet!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Never had a single problem throughout my stay! The construction is well done and the building is very new and well kept with consistent cleaning and maintenance.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Take advantage of the amenities and the lounge for your studies!

・・

HomeViews

Melanie Simcoe (Tenant)

Unverified

Lloyds Living at Overstone Gate, NN6

Jun 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Very happy with home, the representatives have been friendly and helpful.

Melanie Simcoe (Tenant)

Unverified

Lloyds Living at Overstone Gate, NN6

Jun 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Convenient for work and nice quiet area. Nearby previous home The home is very spacious and good for us

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes, decorated rooms to a good standard from previous tenants.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

More information on local area on initial viewing would be good. Shivani has covered everything well in the home 10/10

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Rose (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Saxon House, DE1

Jun 2026

This is rated 2.00 out of 5.00.

Security

Rose (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Saxon House, DE1

Jun 2026

Rooms are good size. However security is questionable. Had multiple parcels stolen, nothing was done when I called them. They will just tell you to send your parcel to somewhere else. They changed the locks on the doors, gave me a code that expired before they could give me and my roommate our new keys so spent 2 days locked in the building over the weekend, called their out of hours line and all the code they gave me was also wrong so was advised to just stay there until they come back to the office on Monday. Out of hours line almost got me locked out of the building.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Good = rent Bad = dirty lifts, unclean carpet in the hallway. Lack of good security - many parcels gets stolen

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Had multiple parcels stolen, nothing was done when I called them. They changed the locks on the doors, gave me a code that expired before they could give me and my room mate our new keys so spent 2 days locked in the building over the weekend, called their out of hours line and all the code they gave me was also wrong so was advised to just stay there until they come back to the office on Monday.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Security isn’t good here, your things will get stolen

・・

HomeViews

Cherry A (Tenant)

Verified Resident

British Waterways, NG1

May 2026

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Love living here tbf

Cherry A (Tenant)

Verified Resident

British Waterways, NG1

May 2026

It’s a nice place however the kitchen is big compared to everything else which is kinda random. I also with there was more storage. However, Bernie, Will and Christos are so lovely and more than happy to help. The cleaning ladies also work really hard and are always working from early, they’re very friendly and keep everything neat. I love living here tbf, i also like the common area and all the events you put on even if i haven’t attended one. Alsooo it’s pet friendly which my hamster loves instead of being hidden in my old uni accom

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

It’s really nice next to the canal, shops are local, busses and train are next door and you’re in the heart of town without being too central.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

yeah, christos was very polite and professional and fixed all of our issues in a timely manner

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

when i was first forced to live here and i really didn’t want to be because of the small ceilings and no storage but i really loved living here in the end

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 493

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

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Derby

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Derbyshire

Derbyshire is a beautiful county in the East Midlands of England. The county is home to many different towns and villages to explore, including Sheffield, Chesterfield and Derby. It's also home to some great universities, such as Chesterfield College and Derby University. Check out our guide for prospective home buyers on how to find your dream house in Derbyshire!

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Leicester

Leicester is an increasingly popular option for property hunters seeking homes in the Midlands. House prices were enjoying a boom prior to the uncertainties of 2020 and are expected to bounce back thanks to the city’s strong economy. Historically connected to the textiles industry, retailers like Next, Asos and New Look have major sites in the city. Firms like KPMG, HSBC and British Gas also have offices there. Walker’s Crisps is also based in Leicester, operating the world’s largest crisp factory!

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Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a county in the East Midlands region of England. It borders Northamptonshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Centred around Leicester, an important economic and cultural centre for the East Midlands, Leicestershire offers an enticing combination of countryside and metropolitan living. The county is also known as "The Garden of England," due to its abundance of orchards and market gardens and is the birthplace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin and George Eliot. If you're looking for a new home, Leicestershire has a lot to offer!

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Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire has a lot to offer prospective home buyers, from the beautiful coastline to the gorgeous countryside. The county is located in eastern England and borders Norfolk as well as Cambridgeshire. It also has a very rich history; with many notable people having been born or raised here, including Emily Bronte (author of Wuthering Heights), Roger de Clarendon (a 12th-century nobleman who served Henry II and his son Richard I) and Oliver Cromwell (best known for leading the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War).

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Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire is a county in the East Midlands of England and is home to some attractive areas including Wellingborough with its lovely old buildings, Rushden with its many parks and lakes or Corby with its fantastic new-builds with modern amenities. The University of Northampton has an excellent reputation for teaching while there are top schools available all over Northamptonshire providing high-quality education for children aged 3–18 years old.

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Nottinghamshire

If you're looking for a new home, Nottinghamshire is the destination to be. From quaint villages and picturesque countryside to vibrant cities and large towns; there's plenty on offer in this diverse county. In this guide, we'll take you through what makes Nottinghamshire such a great place to live, work or study - from where it lies in England to some of the best schools in the area - so that you can find your perfect match!

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