Norwich or Sheffield? Help please!!

[tireddd]

I have lived in Norwich for a few years now and I've found myself with a new (fixed term) job up in the midlands. I'm currently deciding where to buy as it's cheaper than renting. I'm not sure yet how much I'll be able work to remotely but given the nature of my job, it will be a fair bit of the time. It is, however, a very long commute from where I am now and I'm therefore contemplating moving up and buying in Sheffield...

I just wondered if anyone had experience of living both cities and how they found it/moving up there from here? I feel so settled in Norwich so I'm reluctant to uproot myself. I've been to Sheffield a few times a few years back and again more recently, but it just felt so bleak and run-down, especially the city centre... Am very keen to hear other people's experiences of the city as a whole please and what you would do!!

Background info - no children/dependents, but I'm looking to settle and put down roots...

Years ago l was a teacher. And they were showing the ‘smokers at birth’ and how they affected unborn children across the city in terms of deprivation and health.

There were not enough in s10, 11 and 17 to even register in the graph. This was apparently very unusual.

Yeah Wadsley is on the tram route too. It’s quite near the northern part of the countryside.

I've lived in both and plan on moving back to Norwich soon. I found Sheffield a bit too buzzy. Norwich is quainter. Depends on what you like.

@brightyellowflower I felt a real sense of joy in coming back to Norwich after visiting Sheffield and was really appreciative for just how nice it is in ways that I hadn't really noticed properly before like the infrastructure. Living in Norfolk is not for everyone of course though but I don't mind the flatness and the isolation lol. It was a bit unexpected as I had always imagined myself living in Sheffield at some point and loved visiting a few years back when it felt really buzzy and cool to me (maybe it's me and I've just become older and boring lol 😂)

I love both. I lived in Sheffield for 9 years, it is a great city with good transport links into the middle from a lot of areas. I lived in a bit of a less desirable bit (Hillsborough) but it was totally fine and houses more affordable. Definitely do a reccie and have a look around some areas first. The surrounding countryside is stunning and there are some lovely bits in the city and good opportunities for settling down.

Obviously you already know Norwich. The centres are similar in size so it's nothing too intimidating.

I'm settled in Norfolk now, but would happily move back to Sheffield if I had to up and leave where I am.

I’ve lived just outside both and I loved them equally so I’m no help.

The only thing I’d say is that driving from Norfolk to the A1 can be a pita whereas Sheffield is very well connected by both road and rail. But beaches vs hills and two amazing cities - tough choice.

If you like to be near to open countryside, have a look at Crookes and Walkley. Have a look in a map of Sheffield, satellite view, and you’ll see that this area is just about the closest to open countryside (minutes) and the closest to city centre combo (2 miles or so to the train station, much less to the other side of the centre, good public transport and walkable if you don’t mind a hill).

These areas are also a nice combo of fairly affluent but still down to earth.

@brightyellowflower my budget would be under 250 and I'm focusing on houses rather than flats (in case I find I need a bigger space in the future and because of the whole leasehold thing).

I'm trying to compare both cities to see what what I could get and which would potentially be a better long-term investment - it's a bit easier in that I know which parts of Norwich to avoid, but harder with Sheffield!

Try Meersbrook or Heeley in Sheffield. S8. You would get a bit more for your money.

Didn’t John Lewis pull out of centre? Meadowhall facilitated decline. It’s not been great for quite a while. Feels seedy and low rent. When people move in for the countryside and the students don’t live in the centre, there’s not much reason to be there.

Hello- I live in north suffolk, about 20-30 mins from you!

I have grown up in the area and have always loved norwich.IMO it has all the perks of a city but less grimey and overpopulated.

My relative lives in a nice area of Sheffield....lovely and leafy, near parks etc.But having driven through the centre when we visit that part does seem quite industrial and run down compared to Norwich.

Probably more job opps though?

Sheffield appears industrial because it still has some industry. It’s what the city was built on.

The city centre always had crap shops.

Take a wander down Forge Dam and the Porter Valley to understand its heritage. It’s beautiful.

@Twolittleloves Hello! It is like a breath of fresh air living in the East - and I know what you mean - Norwich never really feels like a city, but in the nicest way. The lack of jobs here has always made me pause a bit, but I'm not sure if it's much better up in Sheffield/the North especially with the disparity in pay levels... But I have always thought the connection to London from Norwich is useful for jobs if needs be...

@TizerorFizz I've heard that before about Meadowhall but wasn't it built years ago now? I always think they must have had plenty of time to mitigate against its effects...

I didn't know that about John Lewis, that's really interesting... I wonder why? It seems like the city centre in a state of transition from what others have told me and will get better, but it was a bit of a shock to me see the state of it... I guess like others have said, the very lovely Peaks are the main draw/jewel unlike other cities which are more reliant on a buzzing city centre.

They pulled out during Covid.

The council were subsidising them to be in the centre and they’d signed a 25 year deal. Then they pulled out.

A lot of people boycotted Waitrose in the city. I never shop at John Lewis anymore after this. I think a lot of the city felt very strongly about it.

That's awful! I can't believe they were allowed to do that, especially after signing a deal.

John Lewis or Cole Brothers as it used to be closing, made me feel really sad. I used to love going there. However, I haven't been there for more than 20 years since my parents moved away from being relatively near, and with my grandparents then deceased.