Sheffield Knowledge Required

[Sportbilly]

Hello All, We're are a family of four living in leafy Staffordshire who are planning a move to Sheffield later this year.

Just wondered if any people from Sheffield can advise accordingly.

We've not enjoyed living rurally, and are hoping to find somewhere in Sheffield a bit more lively with more family stuff to do.

Our ideal requirements would be.

1. Somewhere on or close to the supertram network.
2. The area shouldn't be too quiet, and should have decent family amenities (shops, restaurants, gyms, cinema etc) within close proximity.
3. We'd be looking at a budget for a 3 (4 if affordable) bedroomed house of between 300k and 350k, and could push to nearly 400k of we had to.

Based on those criteria I'd thought about the area around Crystal Peaks on the south side of the city, or perhaps the Walkley or Hillsborough area in the NW.

Norfolk Park also looks transformed but I suspect this still has a bad/dodgy underbelly?

Any comments on the areas above, or any suggested area, would be welcomed.

I grew up in Sheffield and would say no to Norfolk Park. I lived close to Hillsborough and Walkley and would also say no to those now.

Wow, surprised you say that about Walkley and Hillsborough. Why wouldn't you recommend these places?

Also, where in Sheffield would you suggest based on the requirements mentioned please?

The areas to the West like Millhouses and Ecclesall are better (and more expensive) but not necessarily on the tram. The area around Crystal Peaks wouldn't appeal to me as its fairly nondescript but I only drive through it.

Ecclesall would be my recommendation too, it’s really nice there.

Sothall & Mosborough fit your brief. Close enough to crystal peaks, Westfield sports centre, Eckington swimming baths. Mosborough isn’t really on the team route but Sothall is.

How old are you DC? Both Brookhouse Junior & Mosborough primary are good.

Oh there are a few gyms in s20 but no cinema. Cinemas are on the tram route through. Either the new one on the moor or Centertainment and meadowhall.

The amount of drugs and anti social behaviour put me off when I go back to visit.
Fulwood and Dore are nice areas but both are pricey. Ecclesall is nice as people up thread state but there are lots of students. Crookes maybe something to look at.

I wouldn't go for Norfolk Park. Still feels like a tough area. You could go further north and look in Deepcar perhaps? There is a bus that joins up to the supertram. There are some facilities there, but perhaps not what you are looking for.
Millhouses or Nether Edge might be better, not on tram route but regular busses into town. Takes 15 mins into town on the bus from millhouses, parks and shops nearby and really easy to get out into the peaks.

Do you definitely want to be near the super tram? I would recommend Meersbrook or Heeley if not. They are both areas on the up in terms of popularity, have a good community feel and have good bus links to town.

Is it any worse than most major cities though? Not from my experience. #proudsheffielder

S11. no super tram but buses into town are easy and frequent.

Go a bit further up ecce road and there are no / limited students! Is all Families

I was talking about the areas I mentioned in my previous comment, not Sheffield as a whole.

Intrigued at someone saying no to Hillsborough and Walkley. I have a few friends who live there and love it.

No cinema there I don’t think but it’s on the tramline

At the minute we think we want to be near the tram, but I suppose if there's other convenient public transport then it might not be a deal-breaker.

Don't know why people knock Sheffield so much. I lived in Birmingham, and I can assure you most of Birmingham feels way more seedy and dangerous than Sheffield. People in Sheffield are way friendlier, or at least that's my perception so far.

Oops sorry, I'd missed that.

Not even sure I know where Heeley is, is that the area near Sheffield United's ground?

Yes, little bit further up but yes.

Sheffield is a great city and very close to the Peak District if you feel the need of the great outdoors. It was once noted as the place where most students stayed on to live and work after graduation and has a large number of millionaires!

Is the Supertram essential? Because unfortunately all the areas near to it are quite rough. Hillsborough has a nice park and few shops, but isn't great.

Family-friendly areas with good schools and lots to do are Ecclesall, Nether Edge, Banner Cross, Greystones and Hunter's Bar. Possibly some areas of Heeley or Millhouses too.

Public transport in Sheffield isn't great, the council are currently fighting to try to expand the bus lane times on one of the main roads but traders are kicking up an awful stink about it. Sigh.
However, they're expanding the cycle network soon I believe and most of the areas above (most of S11, where I currently live) are only a mile into the city centre so walking is easy.

I would go for Walkley/Crookes over Crystal Peaks/Mosborough/Sothall anytime (unless you want to die of boredom).

I was born in Sheffield but moved away 40 years ago as a child, went back to visit relatives after and Norfolk Park was the pits back then (along with the Manor, Burngreave, and Pitsmoor).

But in recent visits the area around Park Grange seems to be mainly private flats and houses, and it seems totally regenerated. Looks transformed completely, but guess it's still a bit dodgy?!

I lived next door to Ladywood in Birmingham, one of the biggest hell holes in England, so no stranger to edgy places!

One is 3.5 and due to start school in September, but he's got severe autism so not sure if he will go to a mainstream school. Other is 14 and will join year 10 in September.

Sheffield is really friendly! I moved here from Manchester 15 years ago and love it. We live in Meersbrook which I love - but it’s mixed rather than leafy. Lots of teachers artists social workers. Some streets look more run down than others. School has a good demographic mix, good park and amenities on chesterfield road. No tram but walk or bus into town. It’s really friendly and lots of local events going on.

for somewhere quieter and more leafy, Norton and Greenhill.

s11 is a more desirable area but out of budget for you, I think.

Interested to know what you consider boring about numerous shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, Rother valley, gyms, swimming, walking and bike trails and sports activities in S20.