Moving to Derby: A Practical Guide
Why relocating families and professionals choose Derby, and what to expect from the East Midlands city.
Updated 2026 · 5 min read · Written by the Relocate Relocate team
Why Derby?
Derby is a major hub for engineering and manufacturing employers (including Rolls-Royce), with significantly lower housing costs than London and the South East, and strong road and rail links across the Midlands and beyond.
Popular areas
Allestree, Mickleover and Littleover are popular with families for their schools and green space, while the city centre and Derwent side offer easier access to amenities for those without a car.
Getting around
Derby has direct rail links to London (around 1.5 hours), Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield, plus easy access to the M1. Many relocating professionals find a car useful here, given the more spread-out nature of the city compared to London.