I fell for the pure magic of London the first time I ever visited as a kid, but moving back home made me fall back in love with my hometown all over again. There's no questioning why anyone would want to move to the Capital. The city is full of culture, opportunities, arts, world-class food and opportunities to rub shoulders with people from across the world. But anyone who has moved here from the outside in knows that it comes at a price.
I could write a long list of reasons as to why London is my favourite city, and it was this that was the driving force behind my desire to get out of my hometown in the first place. However, since moving back home to the Midlands, out of the M25 bubble, it has become obvious to me why people never leave.
Growing up in Derby, I most definitely took for granted the rolling hills of the Derbyshire countryside, the convenient location, the friendliness and relatability of its people and the affordability of living here. Now, it's more apparent than ever to me why so many Derby-born people chose to stay put; who can blame them?
Location
If you're someone like me who is keen to travel, explore new cities and national parks, and embark on day trips and weekends away, then Derby really is the perfect place for this. The Midlands are, the clue is in the name, in the middle of the country, and so Derby really is in the centre of it all.
Surrounding the city is a whole range of picturesque villages, with their own communities, cultures, clubs and pubs, like tiny versions of London's booming boroughs. You can get an hour-and-a-half train from the city and be in the likes of central London or the North's thriving city of Manchester. Not to mention, in a car, you're a two-and-a-half-hour drive from so many places - I've driven to Liverpool, Leeds, and the east coast, and you're even within two hours of Wales.
East Midlands Airport, albeit small and far less duty-free options to keep you occupied, is a well-connected hub for travel across Europe and further afield, and very easy to access. It's close enough to hop on a bus from the city center or pay for a taxi, which for me in the past has been considerably cheap at £20 split between a group.
Affordability
The price of a pint in Derby will set you back roughly £5, in comparison to London's steep £10. Let's face it, drinking culture is paramount in this country, and being able to kick back with a few beers, celebrate an occasion or just be a twenty-something wanting to have a good time drinking shouldn't be such a huge luxury.
I will never forget on my birthday paying £20 for one glass of double vodka with lime and soda at a bar chain in Soho. While Soho isn't exactly known for being inexpensive as a hub for nightlife in the capital, I could have cried parting with my money, knowing that I could get the exact same drink back home for £5.50 and a cocktail for £7, or even two for £12.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and I feel that unless you're raking in the big bucks, it can be difficult to truly immerse yourself in all that it has to offer at times. Obviously, there are far fewer options when it comes to culinary delights, but I can dine out with a friend, share a bottle of wine, and get a few sides too, and still be paying half the price that I would in London. To my delight, this means I get to do it a hell of a lot more for my money.
If you're looking to stay somewhere and make a home, housing price-wise, the Midlands comes out on top for that too. Rightmove suggests that the overall average of house prices in Derby for 2026 is £245,352, in comparison to London's, which fell to £678,283.
Proximity to Nature
London is home to some beautiful parks and boroughs, Richmond being the first that springs to mind. It truly made me feel like I was offered a slice of Derbyshire in West London. However, I often missed the ease of reaching an outdoor space and having a true feeling of being far away from the hustle and bustle of life.
For me at least, I missed seeing horses, cows and sheep in fields and hearing the songs of birds in the morning. There's no denying that, despite its skyscrapers and largely populated areas, London is no stranger to nature, but its small spots never felt enough for me.
Wherever you are in Derby, you're never far away from the canal path, which runs through the entire city, taking you on cycle paths and walking routes around its various fields, canals, and villages. Of course, like London, there is also a vast array of parks that differ in size.
Notably, a 20-minute bike ride or short drive away from the very centre of Derby will take you to the historic Elvaston Castle with well-kept grounds, beloved by locals for its otherworldly feel. You'll see people picnicking here, running, walking dogs, or pottering around the gardens and nature reserve, and that just feels out of pocket for a city.
By far my favourite thing about being back home is having the Peak District on my doorstep. Within an hour of driving through Derbyshire, you are greeted with some of the most serene peaks, country homes, hidden gem walking spots and so much green that it seems silly not to go as often as I can.
I don't know if I'll stay in Derby forever, and I sure will venture out even if just for a short amount of time, but if I were to put my sensible, adult-thinking hat on – not the kind that dreams of the sea and exciting cities - it would seem like a wise and practical decision.
