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Original poster

Looking to move from London to up north

26 replies

TheHill2022 · 13/02/2022 22:27

Hello. Hope you're all well.

Hoping there are folk out there who can help. Have seen threads like the one I'm about to start before, but they're all 5+ years old, so I'm looking for more current opinions.

I'm looking to move to Sheffield, South Yorkshire, from London, where I was born and grew up. I have no connections in Sheffield but have chosen the city because: house prices, vibrancy (2 x universities), proximity to Peak District (PD), diversity, not too far up north, safety.

(I'm a churchgoer who expects to connect with local church. Am also confident enough to find social groups via Meetup or similar to make new friends.)

I want to be as close to the city centre and PD as possible, so ideally would be based east / north east / south east of the city centre and not too far out.

I'd like to get a 2-3 bed with a bit of personality in a safe area. I saw this property online and liked it very much: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116131040#/?channel=RES_BUY

Wrong side of the city for me, but the price is up my street. I'll be buying alone and don't want to overstretch myself.

Schools aren't a priority at all, nor are jobs. I'll continue working in London; I work from home, and because I work in the rail industry, I benefit from subsidised rail travel when I have to commute to London for work.

Which areas in Sheffield to do you recommend for my priorities: price (top end is £180k), 2-3 bed (preferably 3) safety, close to train station for commute to London, reasonable commute to PD? Local knowledge very much appreciated.

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Geneticsbunny · 13/02/2022 23:12

Just to warn you house prices in Sheffield have gone up stupidly in the last year. 2-3 bed houses which were £190,000 a year ago are now selling for over £300,000 and things are getting snapped up as soon as they go onto the market. Plus Sheffield has always been a best and final / sealed bids only place so buying can be quite stressful at the best of times.

Broomhall might still be in your price range? Possibly lodgemoor? Hillsborough or middlewood? These are all west / north of the city and are reasonable areas. Last three are not that close to the city centre but there are good bus routes/tram routes and you can cycle in in less that half an hour.

Heeley and woodseats are to the west and are nice but I think that they will be too pricey.

Geneticsbunny · 13/02/2022 23:13

There are lots of nice churches. Just depends what sort of thing you like?

Original poster
TheHill2022 · 14/02/2022 00:03

Thanks for the heads-up about house prices. That's quite a jump. Also good to know how about sealed bids. Wasn't aware of that.

The areas you mentioned are indeed nice (based on desk research I've done) and my few visits to Sheffield.

I wonder if I might be unrealistic with my budget. The other side of the city has cheaper properties, probably because less desirable.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 14/02/2022 00:06

Good to know about the churches. Didn't doubt that one bit and am sure I'd find a welcoming church community to join.

Would be after diversity (age as well as background). I suspect with Sheffield being a uni city there'd be churches that have a good mix. Also keen on church that's active in local community.

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thatonesmine · 14/02/2022 00:36

Have a look at the "Lakes" area, all the roads are named after places in the Lake District so Coniston, Thirlmere, Buttermere, Windermere, Arnside to name a few. The houses are small terraces and the area is decent (we own a rental on one of those roads and have contented tenants) and convenient. Good transport, not on the tram route but buses aplenty and plenty of shops within an easy walk. There's an estate agent called Bloor who seem to specialise in that area. It's in the south west of the city.

halloweenie13 · 14/02/2022 02:03

If you can get it then try to get a property on the ecclesall road area, it's the most desirable by a country mile.

Geneticsbunny · 14/02/2022 08:38

I have a couple of friends who live in the bit behind the station but it is very hit and miss. Will be cheaper but isn't quite as safe to walk around. Granville road would be ok and the ends of roads near there and I know someone who lived near the town end of city road. I guess it depends what you are used to in the bit of London you are from. If you stay near the more main roads then walking should be fine. I only mean at night. Daytime should be fine anywhere.

Original poster
TheHill2022 · 14/02/2022 14:40

Thank you. Will do. Will probably pay estate agent a visit next time I'm up.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 14/02/2022 14:44

I'm currently living in a leafy London suburb which is one of the most desirable places to live in the city. In saying that, it's not hugely special. Have lived in a rough part of London too; only managed 13 months there.

With new places, I might be a bit OTT when it comes to safety and the reputation of an area; more so because it's unfamiliar.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 14/02/2022 14:50

Thanks. Yes, have strolled along part of the road.

Will have to print out a large map of Sheffield and start circling locations.

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TheLadyGrayson · 14/02/2022 15:00

A lot of Ecclesall Road is studentsville, I wouldn’t say it’s the most desirable area of the city. Maybe Ecclesall Road South but not in the OPd budget.

I live in an area that on paper would suit your list of requirements and my house was less than £150k when I bought it a couple of years ago, two houses on my road in the last six months have gone for 220k and 250k respectively. Lots of people looking to move from the South East, and some are asking to put deposits down without even viewing, it’s a challenging market.

thatonesmine · 15/02/2022 00:28

I've just noticed in your OP you say you're looking in eastern areas and want easy access to the Peak District. You do realise the Peak District is entirely on the western side? Have you been looking at a map upside down? Smile

halloweenie13 · 15/02/2022 03:24

@TheLadyGrayson

A lot of Ecclesall Road is studentsville, I wouldn’t say it’s the most desirable area of the city. Maybe Ecclesall Road South but not in the OPd budget.

I live in an area that on paper would suit your list of requirements and my house was less than £150k when I bought it a couple of years ago, two houses on my road in the last six months have gone for 220k and 250k respectively. Lots of people looking to move from the South East, and some are asking to put deposits down without even viewing, it’s a challenging market.

I lived in that area for years, it is absolutely the most desirable area, students ville as you have coined it is up towards netheredge, or near the station. Some of the houses directly on ecclesall road go for an absolute fortune. Not only that the quality of life within that area is fantastic.
Original poster
TheHill2022 · 15/02/2022 09:55

These increases are significant. Challenging indeed, but hopefully not impossible. I know you say prices have climbed, but in which part of the city from you live?

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 15/02/2022 10:00

Nope, not looking at the map upside down; I just typed the info wrong. Meant to say: NW, W, SW.

But talking of the east of the city, it's much cheaper, probably because it's further from the PD and other lovely parts of the city.

Are there any safe, pleasant places to live on the east which aren't too far out? Posted a link to a lovely cottage I saw (£160k), which only sold the other day, but forum feedback on the area (granted 4+ years old) was hit and miss.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 15/02/2022 10:02

Btw, hearing the discussion from locals makes Sheffield appeal even more.

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ClaudiaWankleman · 15/02/2022 10:04

Just jumping on to say I think Sheffield is a really great place to move to. I really liked Hillsborough's vibe when I was there.

Maireas · 15/02/2022 10:20

I was reading that in the last 2 years, 30% of houses sold in Sheffield were sold to people relocating from the South East! It's definitely an area where house prices have shot up.
Just to echo pp - the Peak District is South West of the city, so you'd need S11, S10 and S17 (roughly) for close proximity, and those tend to be expensive postcodes.
You can easily get to the Peaks from other areas, though. Put your budget into Rightmove and see what comes up. Perhaps fellow church goers could recommend a church. Or find out which one Dan Walker goes to!

Maireas · 15/02/2022 10:21

@TheHill2022

Nope, not looking at the map upside down; I just typed the info wrong. Meant to say: NW, W, SW.

But talking of the east of the city, it's much cheaper, probably because it's further from the PD and other lovely parts of the city.

Are there any safe, pleasant places to live on the east which aren't too far out? Posted a link to a lovely cottage I saw (£160k), which only sold the other day, but forum feedback on the area (granted 4+ years old) was hit and miss.

Where was that?.
Maireas · 15/02/2022 10:24

Sorry, OP, I've just looked up the location of that cottage. It's a lovely little house, but very near to the Parkway. I don't know if that would bother you.

Geneticsbunny · 15/02/2022 18:07

@TheHill2022 handsworth is ok in parts but I don't know it very well.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/02/2022 18:16

Sheffield is a weird city. There is one large area with lots of parks and country on the west side, which has correspondingly very high house prices. Ds is looking for a property in hers, Broomhill, Crookes, Greystones, Dore, Totkey, Fulwood and Crosspool will be out of your price range l think. Broomhill, Fulwood and Ranmoor have beautiful churches. S8 is very happening and lively, you may be able to squeeze in there.

With that price bracket you might be able to get a flat in Walkley which is ok or Rivelin which is nice, or Hilsborough. Wisewood is also somewhere to think about.

The further you go from these areas the further you go from the Peak District.

There’s little villages on the edge like Dungworth or Bradfield, but l don’t think they are particularly cheap. Also, house prices are always advertised below the asking price. And as prices are going mad at the moment, l know of some that have gone 50k over the price.

With that budget ld be looking at a flat rather than a house.

Original poster
TheHill2022 · 17/02/2022 10:41

Thank you. I too have heard positive things about Hillsborough. I guess that's why many properties in that area go for a fair bit.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 17/02/2022 10:43

Aha... Didn't know about that "budget search" function on RT. Shall give that a go.

Yes, the pricey postcodes. Agreed PD is commutable from other areas; I just have to find one that's affordable, safe and pleasant.

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Original poster
TheHill2022 · 17/02/2022 10:46

Yes, lovely little house indeed. Parkway wasn't a major concern of mine; was more thinking about anti-social behaviour and general safety. Living in London, many different parts over the years, a bit of traffic and noise wouldn't be unfamiliar. Also, because I'd be moving up alone, it might be safer. Perhaps.

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