Hello, The median home value here is around $221,600, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 4.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 25,801, Derby is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
19 upvotes
14 Replies
Emily Scott
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Ariana Williams
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
38 upvotes
Nora
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Christian P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 1 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Nora Martin
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
33 upvotes
Angel Rodriguez
This.
31 upvotes
Luca P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jack Richardson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Kenneth R.
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
mesadude2020
This.
19 upvotes
Ella G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Adeline Walker
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Claire Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
5 upvotes
Matthew Allen
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
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