Living in Derby

Your guide to moving to Derby

Why Derby is a good place to live

Derby is a friendly city brimming with history and culture, located on the River Derwent in Derbyshire. The city was ranked 23rd in the best UK places to live back in 2015, with its charming countryside surroundings and vibrant nightlife making it an enjoyable place to live.

There's an abundance of family-friendly activities, diverse dining options and good schools, while multiple train stations make commuting to Nottingham, Birmingham and Sheffield straightforward. Plus, if you plan on moving to Derby, you'll be glad to know it was once voted the least stressful place to move to in the country. All these features come together to make life in Derby a delightful experience.

What's Derby famous for?

Derby is famous for its rich industrial history, being one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution and home to the world's first factory, Lombe's Mill.

Derby is also recognised for cultural contributions. It's where the popular video game character Lara Croft was brought to life and the Derby Museum & Art Gallery hosts the world's largest collection of paintings by Joseph Wright.

Things to do in Derby

Derby offers a wonderful array of museums like the Museum of Making and Derby Museum & Art Gallery, inviting you to uncover Derby's illustrious past. If shopping is more your style, you're spoiled for choice with the antique and independent shops of the Cathedral Quarter and modern amenities at the Derbion shopping centre.

After a day of exploring, treat yourself to the city's diverse cuisine, including traditional, exotic and plant-based options. Finally, the area surrounding Derby is not to be ignored, with the stunning landscapes of the Peak District National Park and attractions like Chatsworth House awaiting outside the city limits. So, whether you're a history buff, a foodie or a nature lover, there's always something to do in Derby.

We have used a bespoke generative AI model to help us research and create our area guides. All of our content is reviewed, and edited where needed, by our trusted team of Zoopla content editors.