Sheffield

[Sprinklerainbows]

looking for advice on areas to live.

we were looking at woodseats but then I read some things that put me off

we have 2 young children (3 and 1)
we are looking to rent initially to get a feel of the area before buying (budget up to around £1050)
im a midwife (so close enough to a hospital is important)
area must have low crime
child friendly activities close to home
shops! (I like to be able to be within a close walk to shops e.g. supermarket, cafes, homeware shops etc)

am I asking too much? I don’t know the area well at all

I have family in beauchief….the view of the Peak District from their bed room window is stunning….they just live in a semi….but the area is lovely….and easy bus ride into town….I’m sure there will be people with more knowledge than me tho

Think beauchief may be out of your price range? Maybe Handsworth depending on where you are planning to work but has good close links to Rotherham and Doncaster (for hospitals)
Crookes and Broomhill close to Sheffield hospitals but again maybe out of your price range. Stannington, Hillsborough areas ok, Hillsborough has good transport links
Would avoid S5, S4, S3 areas
Not sure what you've heard about Woodseats and surrounding areas there but think they are generally ok and quite handy for being close by to the things you need

Dronfield, 5 mins from Woodseats, just over the border into Derbyshire, great little town/village, lots for families, fantastic schools, great community, 10 mins to Peak District

Crookes and walkley are both walking distance to the maternity hospital. They are mixed areas with students and families. Schools are good. Lots of cafes and nice shops. Crookes might be out of your price range but I am not sure what rental prices are like now. Walkley should be slightly cheaper.
Lots of playgroups, after-school things like karate, ballet etc. there is a climbing wall about ten mins drive away. You can walk from Crookes and parts of walkley to the countryside in about 5 mins.

There is some burglary in Crookes and you do sometimes get noisy students but it generally isn't an issue. The burglary is targeted at the student houses so not often an issue for residents unless you have a motorbike or a cargo bike.

The main bus routes to the maternity hospital are 52 and 60. Wood seats is on the 52 route as is one end of Hillsborough. Not so sure about the 60 bus route one end is out at fullwood/ranmoor I think which is pricey. These both run very regularly. Like every ten mins.

Lots of cyclists in Sheffield and it is definitely the quickest way to get into and out of the city centre.

You can walk to the city centre from Crookes or walkley in about 40-30 mins and there are also good bus routes for both.

You'll be able to get a three bed (third bed box room) Victorian terrace in Crookes or Walkley in your budget but you will need to move quite quickly as these areas are popular. Then buying the house prices are around 200-300k for terraces (Crookes at the more expensive end, lower Walkley towards Hillsborough at the cheaper end).

Both areas are lovely with great amenities and indie shops and cafes, and have amazing access to green spaces and the views are stunning. You get used to the hills quickly! There's a lovely community feel with events throughout the year. The studenty bits tend to be more towards the Crookesmoor part, but the hospital is in easy walking distance of both Walkey and Crookes.

Hillsborough is also nice, and more affordable. You'd need to rely on the tram more but they are quick and efficient, and I think the university tram stop is pretty close to the maternity hospital

Thank you everyone super helpful info. There doesn’t seem to be that many properties for rent atm in crookes or hillsborough and the ones I rang to view have already gone. I’ll think we’ll have to get in quick if we do see one in budget
is woodseats a no? Some people say it’s nice other said it’s got bad traffic and some not very nice shops etc?

I've has friends who have been very happy in woodseats. Meersbrook just slightly down the road closer to the city centre is also nice, very family friendly, great park and lots of nhs and social care workers live in the area

I would live in wood seats. But there is basically one big main road and it is the main way south from Sheffield without going onto the motorway so it gets really busy at rush hours. If you can put up with that then it's nice.

Good to know thank you guys!