Moving to the Peak District?

Are you thinking of moving to the Peak District? A checklist if you’re looking to relocate

The Peak District is a beautiful area of central England, established in 1951 as a National Park, renowned for its stunning countryside with limestone valleys, gritstone ridges and open moorland.

Popular with visitors and tourists alike, for day trips and holidays, climbing, cycling and hiking, the Peak District has also become popular with homeowners looking to escape the hectic grind of city life.

But, as with moving to any new area, there are many things to think about, especially if you don’t know the area very well. Whether you’re considering relocating to the Peak District or anywhere else, here’s our useful checklist of advice.

What to consider before relocating to a new area – a checklist

It’s easy to idealise a new area and paint a picture in your mind of an idyllic home in an idyllic location. But it’s important to consider all the factors. Far from wanting to put you off, we want to provide you with a comprehensive checklist of things to consider, so that your idyllic dream comes true, and your new home in a new location is all you that you want it to be.

1. Broadband speed / mobile signal

If you need broadband for work and leisure, or your family need it, it’s worth checking that the area, particularly if it’s a rural area, is well-served. You may have options to have professional broadband installed in your property, which will incur extra costs, but it’s worth considering all your connectivity options beforehand so you’re not left high, dry and signal-less.

2. Travel connections

Are you happy being miles from anywhere, but want to be able to take an easy trip to the town or city when you need to? Particularly in the Peak District, minor routes can be busy with commuters looking to join the motorway and A-roads. Is this something you’ll be able to cope with?

Also, take into account what those minor routes will be like in winter. A couple of times a year, certain rural villages may be completely isolated due to snowfall or flooding.

If you need access to public transport, research the local connections to ensure you can get to where you need to be, when you need to be there.

3. Access to amenities

Similar to looking at travel and transport connections, do your research into the amenities. Do you need shops within walking distance? Do the major supermarkets deliver to your area? If you need health services nearby, particularly if you have a medical condition and need to attend regular appointments, ensure your locality will service your needs.

It’s a good idea to write down all the amenities important to you, such as library, health club, park for the children, etc. and check how and where you will access these.

4. Is the area well-served by schools?

If you’re a parent, a good school will be a deciding factor for you. You can check the Ofsted reports for nearby schools as well the Schools Performance Tables as well as check the local council’s website for information about schools and their admissions policies.

5. Check the local crime rates

Just because a place looks beautiful, doesn’t mean to say there isn’t any crime. Appearances can be deceptive, particularly in remote areas where there may be a lack of employment and development opportunities.

Check the UK crime statistics as well as the Office for National Statistics and talk to locals in the area to find out any issues they may have experienced or be experiencing. This is one where a quick drive around the area won’t tell you everything you need to know.

6. Does the lifestyle fit with what you want?

What do you like to do with your free time? If you’re a person who needs to be out in nature, is that need going to be met in the place you want to move to? Certainly, in the Peak District, you are surrounded by stunning scenery, surrounded by plenty of like-minded people who enjoy the outdoors, and perhaps cycling, walking, climbing or nature in general.

Or, the quiet life might drive you mad…

We’re all different and what suits one person or family, may not suit another. This is your cue to really think about what you want from life and if you can honestly, and truly, see yourself relocating to the place you have in mind. This is a particularly important one if you’re relocation means moving away from family and friends.

7. Can you live with pesky tourists?

If the location you have in mind is a beautiful one, like the Peak District, the appeal might be that it’s like being on holiday every day and therefore a lot of people may want to visit.

Some villages in the Peak District are crowded during holiday time. As a local in a prime spot, how will you cope? Parking and access to services and shops, as well as that peace and quiet you’ve been looking forward to, may very well not exist for so many weeks or months of the year.

Do your research into the exact tourist nature of the location you have in mind so you can be prepared for the hoards.

8. Is the area on the up?

This is one you can get the feel of just by walking around the place. Are there nice, new restaurants and shops? New businesses are a sure sign that a place is regenerating, which bodes well for the future price of your property.

No guarantees with whether a place is on the up or not, and there are many contributing factors to the regeneration and degeneration of a town, but you can get a feel for it and also check the council website to find out about further developments that may indicate a direction.

9. Are there any local legal clauses regarding property ownership?

Have you heard of the Derbyshire Clause, or Peak District Clause?

Clauses such as these restrict ownership of certain properties and planning permissions dependent on local connections and whether the owner is from the local area. It is highly recommended that you avail yourself of all the details of any such clauses that may affect you being able to sell the property later, or leave it as inheritance to your family.

Find your dream home and location

Doing the prep before you take the plunge will stand you in good stead. And the research process will help you get to know the place more thoroughly. Visit for a holiday if you’re in doubt, to really immerse yourself in the place, and chat to the locals – if you don’t ask, you won’t know!

The more information you can find out, the better, so that when you do at last ‘up sticks’ you really will be moving to your longed-for dream home relocation.

Until next time.