Possible relocation to Matlock / Derbyshire Dales

Possible relocation to Matlock / Derbyshire Dales

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AlecG

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
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Hello,

My better half (from south Sheffield) and myself are hatching a plan for the next year or so to relocate up this way.

We want to be relatively close to the M1 in order to get down south and up to Sheffield fairly easily. We are getting wed this year, and who knows what is next, but after 10 years down here now the OH wants to be closer to her family, and I quite like the idea of ditching that vastly overpriced urban jungle we live in, (with hardly any pubs in walking distance beyond hitting town) in favour of something a tad more countryfied and nice local pubby!

Rightmove has helped me ditch my eBay habit, from which I like the look of Matlock. We're going to have a look at some areas by having a few weekends away, and then look at some houses. Any information of living in Matlock, and other suggestions on where to look and where to avoid would be good, and is the reason for this post!

Thanks!

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
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Hope you like bikes.......

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
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What do you mean?

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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If you could elaborate on liking bikes that would be helpful!

It's 'local' information like that which could be handy!

I'm the OP, I just changed my name!

KarlMac

4,457 posts

140 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Matlock is swarmed by bikers most weekends in the summer. As in the entire 'front' is lined with them.

Have a colleague who has just moved from Chesterfield to Matlock and really likes it. Be warned though, there are parts that are as rough as a badgers pie hole.

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
KarlMac said:
Matlock is swarmed by bikers most weekends in the summer. As in the entire 'front' is lined with them.

Have a colleague who has just moved from Chesterfield to Matlock and really likes it. Be warned though, there are parts that are as rough as a badgers pie hole.
Ah I see, thanks for that!

My OH went to college in Chesterfield so we know to avoid there!

Where else in that area is worth a look?

Devilstreak

8,088 posts

180 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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As above, bikes, kit cars and fish and chip shops a plenty smile few surrounding areas which will be quieter but still countryside.

Bakewell, darley abbey, Chatsworth. Whatstandwell.

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Devilstreak said:
As above, bikes, kit cars and fish and chip shops a plenty smile few surrounding areas which will be quieter but still countryside.

Bakewell, darley abbey, Chatsworth. Whatstandwell.
Whilst it sounds a he'll of a lot better than the Barried Corsas and Mopeds its worth considering as I guess it makes traffic a nightmare? Is it every weekend?

Quiet with a few locals is what we're after I guess. Thanks for the info!

Devilstreak

8,088 posts

180 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Yes it is every weekend, even the weather doesn't seem to put them off too much, I went for a walk round there last weekend when it was -2 and it was still packed. Traffic is normally bad on a sunday. Although you do get to look at some nice metal.

Then there are the boat races over xmas and the 'Matlock illuminations and fireworks' september - october. Not trying to put you off at all but just letting you know what I know. I live half an hour away and go to matlock or the surrounding areas probably once a month.

Edited by Devilstreak on Wednesday 23 January 09:20

Fort Jefferson

8,237 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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AGee said:
What do you mean?
He means this

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
Devilstreak said:
Yes it is every weekend, even the weather doesn't seem to put them off too much, I went for a walk round there last weekend when it was -2 and it was still packed. Traffic is normally bad on a sunday. Although you do get to look at some nice metal.

Then there are the boat races over xmas and the 'Matlock illuminations and fireworks' september - october. Not trying to put you off at all but just letting you know what I know. I live half an hour away and go to matlock or the surrounding areas probably once a month.

Edited by Devilstreak on Wednesday 23 January 09:20
That's brilliant, exactly the sort of information I was after, thank you!

StuStu

1,031 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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It is probably worth distinguishing between Matlock, Matlock Bath and Matlock area.

Matlock Bath is where the bikers go ... (it is like a seaside resort inland) it is a nightmare to get in or out of if the weather is nice as the road is jammed.
Matlock itself is the the next town on, again traffic can be an issue in summer.
It is all very steep around that area so also suffers in the winter.
So though it appears good for access to the motorway etc, the reality may be somewhat different.

If you are happy to be out of the town, then the surrounding villages are very nice.

As an alternative, you could head south a bit to the Belper area, still countryside, good access to major roads and lacking the "peak district" house price premium.



AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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StuStu said:
It is probably worth distinguishing between Matlock, Matlock Bath and Matlock area.

Matlock Bath is where the bikers go ... (it is like a seaside resort inland) it is a nightmare to get in or out of if the weather is nice as the road is jammed.
Matlock itself is the the next town on, again traffic can be an issue in summer.
It is all very steep around that area so also suffers in the winter.
So though it appears good for access to the motorway etc, the reality may be somewhat different.

If you are happy to be out of the town, then the surrounding villages are very nice.

As an alternative, you could head south a bit to the Belper area, still countryside, good access to major roads and lacking the "peak district" house price premium.
That is great, thank you! Access to the M1 is pretty high up the priority list.

Are Alfreton and Ripley worth a look too? I guess I've got a date with Right move tonight, haha!

StuStu

1,031 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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I am not far from Ripley (Denby Village)

Ripley and Alfreton are typical midlands mining towns

They are maybe not "pretty", but they have everything you need

You will not be short of pubs in either, whether you would consider them "nice" is subjective.

The surrounding villages again can be very nice

Devilstreak

8,088 posts

180 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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AGee said:
That is great, thank you! Access to the M1 is pretty high up the priority list.

Are Alfreton and Ripley worth a look too? I guess I've got a date with Right move tonight, haha!
Id say Ripley no (derbyshire police head quarters) very good traffic links but not countrysidey at all. Some nice surrounding towns, heage, denby.

Alfreton, without sounding crass, how old are you? I was up there a few months ago in the middle of the day working on a house in the summer, not one other person walked past all day. Plenty of mobility scooters though. Its like a ghost town.

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Belper or Heage for me.

Belper is a bit more lively with plenty of pubs and some good restaurants.

I am slighty biased as I've lived in Belper all my life.

Rob

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Devilstreak said:
Id say Ripley no (derbyshire police head quarters) very good traffic links but not countrysidey at all.

Alfreton, without sounding crass, how old are you? I was up there a few months ago in the middle of the day working on a house in the summer, not one other person walked past all day. Plenty of mobility scooters though. Its like a ghost town.
Haha, thank you! We're in out late 20's and early 30's, so no longer bothered about crazy nights out, but like the idea of a few locals pubs - we walked 4.5 miles last week in order to get to 3 pubs, the three nearest to us!


Devilstreak

8,088 posts

180 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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AGee said:
Haha, thank you! We're in out late 20's and early 30's, so no longer bothered about crazy nights out, but like the idea of a few locals pubs - we walked 4.5 miles last week in order to get to 3 pubs, the three nearest to us!
Similar age range to me then. I can't think of anything worse than living in Alfreton/Riddings area. Especially with you moving from the "urban jungle". It would kill me it being so quiet and I live in a fairly small town on the Notts/Derby border.

I've always liked the Idea of living in Bakewell. Very oldy-worldy but not really sure of the M1 links as I come at it from Nottingham A610/a6 way.

The same for Pentrich, Very countrysidey with a couple of local pubs, Depends how rural you want to go I suppose?


But as someone mentioned before, Matlock and surround areas are nice for a walk round and sight see-ing. But they would be dangerous in the snow/ice with all the narrow and steep roads to the housing areas.

AGee

Original Poster:

1,349 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
Devilstreak said:
Similar age range to me then. I can't think of anything worse than living in Alfreton/Riddings area. Especially with you moving from the "urban jungle". It would kill me it being so quiet and I live in a fairly small town on the Notts/Derby border.

I've always liked the Idea of living in Bakewell. Very oldy-worldy but not really sure of the M1 links as I come at it from Nottingham A610/a6 way.

The same for Pentrich, Very countrysidey with a couple of local pubs, Depends how rural you want to go I suppose?


But as someone mentioned before, Matlock and surround areas are nice for a walk round and sight see-ing. But they would be dangerous in the snow/ice with all the narrow and steep roads to the housing areas.
Thank you!

Ideally I guess I'm after somewhere with a few locals pubs and shops. I used to rent in a place called Pangbourne (down south) which had 5 pubs within walking distance, a few shops,and decent rail links. We could never afford to buy there, but if possible something similar up north would be good!

Everything is much appreciated so far, the next step is definitely a few weekends in that area and a drive around!

StuStu

1,031 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Sounds like Belper may be worth concidering, It has a station too