Moving to South Yorkshire...recommendations needed!

[DilemmaADay]

Posted on another board but reposting here due to traffic

Due to job circumstances, I will be looking to move to South Yorkshire in the near future but dont know where to start!
I'm from Leicestershire originally which I find not a very friendly place (where I was anyway), and now based near Leeds. I love the North compared to the Midlands but I've lived near very grey cities in build up areas and just want to live somewhere with a more village type lifestyle with little independent shops etc.

My job will be based near Sheffield but I've been looking at Chesterfield, Barnsley, Wakefield and the surrounding areas too. Does anyone have any suggestions from their experience of South Yorkshire of where would be nice?

It's pointless asking without disclosing your budget. You won't afford some of these areas if your budget is more conservative. If you tell us this we can advise you better

I live in Penistone - moved here a few years ago and it's lovely round here. Schools are good both primary and secondary. Countryside is amazing, very good if your into cycling or running/walking.

It does have its own weather system here, as its the highest market town in South Yorkshire, it does get a fair amount of snow sometimes. No snow last winter but year before 5 days of school missed because of it.

And .... I live in one of the most deprived wards in the inner city. I managed to my leave my car unlocked for three months (since lockdown started) parked on the street. And what happened? Well, er .... nothing. I've never been burgled in the 27 years I've lived in this house. I've never been assaulted or hassled (well, not here anyway). I walk home from the city centre at all times of the night and ...... nothing.

Sheffield is a very safe city. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise

I'm from the midlands too and I have lived in Leeds Wakefield Barnsley! Loved living up there would move back in a heart beat. I liked all the areas to be honest some rough parts in Barnsley but I enjoy loved living there and my rent was super cheap for a three story home!

Steer clear of Barnsley, Huddersfield, and Rotherham all absolute shitholes.

Wakefield is okay at a push.

Chesterfield will have the village feel you would like.

Sheffield is your best bet, it’s lovely there big city with big city opportunities yet with a small town friendly feel.

What's your rough ball park budget and where will you be working?

Sheffield is a fantastic city. I grew up down South and can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else. I live in the West side of the city and can walk to the city centre in half an hour and straight out into the Peak District from my door. As a PP said the South West areas are nicest and priciest, the NW areas which are nice and a bit more rural- oughtibridge, worrall, loxley. The SW is more densely populated, with more little independent shops and cafes etc. Sheffield has lovely parks and such good access out to the countryside.

Where will your work be and what is your budget for a house (and what do you need from it?)

I grew up in Rotherham, 25 years in Sheffield and the last 20 years in Barnsley.

Barnsley is without doubt the friendliest.

There is a huge amount of snobbishness in Sheffield about Barnsley and Rotherham - totally unwarranted in my view - although I think Sheffield is friendlier than Leeds or Manchester it is still a city and less friendly than the surrounding areas.

I agree with PPs though, where you are going to be based makes a big difference to the best places to live. There are areas which are slow to get through in rush hour traffic -including the expensive areas to the west of Sheffield. Also Meadowhall/Tinsley area is best avoided at rush hour.

Work base,
Budget
and school needs if any
would help give a more nuanced recommendation.

Chesterfield will have the village feel you would like.

Yeah, its fine ..... if you prefer the slower pace of life

If it was me I'd look at Dinnington.

Thank you so much everyone! To answer a few questions;

1. Me and partners combined budget is no more than 210k maximum mortgage
2. I will be working Sheffield city centre, partner also works Sheffield centre with the option to move to Wakefield/Barnsley centre for work
3. Schools fairly important as DC and DStepC are primary age

I have a friend living in Rotherham who advised me to steer clear of there (no offence meant to Barnsley residents)

*no offense meant to Rotherham residents

Depends on which part of Rotherham.
Whiston is nice as is kiverton and Wales.

High Green looks nice. DS goes to school there (out of area).

Since when is Wakefield, Holmfirth, and Huddersfield in south Yorkshire?

Not keen on Rotherham or Barnsley, although there are probably nice areas.

West Yorkshire has some nice villages within easy reach of the A1 and M62 to get to Sheffield.

Are you planning to drive into work in Sheffield centre or use public transport?

@DilemmaADay, with your budget, need for schools and proximity to Wakey and Barnsley, ’you could do a lot worse than Penistone or the HD8 villages around Denby Dale. You’ll get 3 beds for your budget, and it really is a lovely area with excellent schools (HD8 is technically W Yorks, but Penistone is our nearest town, which is S Yorks). The downside will be the commute to Sheffield city centre. It’s doable without the M1 though, and both Penistone and DD are on a marginally unreliable train to Sheffield CC (about 30 mins). DH used to cycle it, on the Trans Pennine Trail. But it is rural. If you want sprawl, you can live closer with an easier commute, but the N side of Sheffield city centre is not as nice as the south side.

West Yorkshire has some nice villages within easy reach of the A1 and M62 to get to Sheffield.

The M1 and M18 are the most useful motorways for Sheffield.

The M62 is about 20 miles further north, and serves Leeds.

Do you want rural, village, town?

My local knowledge is a little rusty, but I’m pleased Penistone is still a nice place to live (and am at not trusting Darton High with your kids).

Hoylandswain was nice when I was growing up.

Sounds like you’d be best off in the arch on the west of Sheffield starting at walkley and Curving south. Anywhere along abbeydale Road Is nice. If you need cheaper then Norton or meersbrook.

Or dronfield - excellent schools and easy commute

I'm Wakefield based and have travelled a lot to Sheffield for work in the past. There are some great little 'villages' around here that still have the out of the way, good community vibe, without actually being a million miles from motorways, cities etc.

Steer clear of Barnsley, Huddersfield, and Rotherham all absolute shitholes.

Same as there are shit areas of Manchester, Birmingham ect.

I'm not recommending Rotherham but chose the right area you can get a decent house for less than 150k

You could also look at Stocksbridge, not sure what it's like to live there, as I am from Penistone, but have not lived there for 20 years (but a regular visitor, to see family), Stocksbridge has the newish shopping centre, Fox valley, which had a lovely feel to it,when I recently went.