It may surprise you to hear that unassuming Sheffield in South Yorkshire is actually the UK’s 4th largest city. When it comes to the northern town, your first thought is likely to be of the downtrodden, former industrial powerhouse and ‘Steel City’ depicted in the nineties film, The Full Monty or the 250 feet Tinsley cooling towers which were a focal point (or eyesore, depending on your point of view!) on the edge of the city from 1937 until 2008.
However, in reality, modern Sheffield couldn’t be further from this post-industrial image thanks to its re-emergence as an impressive Outdoor City – with over 250 parks and outdoor spaces to choose from and the stunning Peak District right on the doorstep – great transport links to the rest of the UK, low crime rates and great local amenities. Competitive house prices are also a big bonus!
Of course this hasn’t gone unnoticed by savvy home-buyers; the city saw the steepest rise in buyer interest across UK cities in 2020 and has been one of the most frequently searched locations for prospective home-owners in 2021 according to property experts Yopa.
So, when it comes to the city’s continued appeal, what does Sheffield have to offer prospective home-buyers and where are the best parts of the city to call home?
If you’re considering a move to Sheffield, you’ll be reassured to know that the city has frequently been hailed as one of the friendliest and safest places to live in the UK over the last few years with plenty of community events on offer such as the month-long Festival of the Outdoors and three-day music extravaganza, Tramlines.
The city has also been completed regenerated over the last 30 years with a great selection of high street shops (think Meadow Hall and Crystal Peaks) and independent retailers (Ecclesall Road is the go-to) and there are plenty of leisure facilities suitable for the whole family too, such as the Ice Sheffield ice rink and the Climbing Works indoor climbing centre. There are also a great range of theatres, arts galleries and museums to boot. Getting outdoors is easy too, with over 60% of the wider Sheffield area actually made up of rural countryside and terrain.
An extensive selection of schools and educational facilities also attract families to the city. Sheffield is home to around 141 primary schools and 28 secondary schools, three further education colleges and two highly rated universities; The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.
For commuters, Sheffield’s central location and easy access to motorways such as the M1 plus a range of public transport options make it a bit of a winner too. Frequent rail services connect the city with hubs like Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and London. Sheffield itself can be traversed easily and quickly as well using the efficient tram network and local bus services. Airports Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford and East Midlands are also within easy reach.
Property prices in Sheffield are a key factor, of course, when it comes to the city’s popularity with home-owners. In the last 12 months, the overall average property price in Sheffield was a very competitive £231,340 when compared to the national average of £264,000. Prices in some areas of the city are even more impressive, averaging around £100,000.
So, where are the best areas in Sheffield to call home? Below are our top five spots to consider when it comes time to make the move.
St Paul’s
Right in the heart of the city centre, St Paul’s has seen a massive transformation in recent years. Once a less desirable spot, the area is now full of tempting eateries and watering holes, great shops and amenities and luxurious purpose-built apartment complexes and offices.
Favoured more by young professionals and students than families given its busy city centre location, St Paul’s is also an ideal spot for first time buyers and buy-to-let owners thanks to its affordable property prices and high rental yields. Coming in at an average property price of around £150,000, St Paul’s is a definite contender in the list of Sheffield hotspots.
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Crookes
The suburb of Crookes is around 1.5 miles and a convenient 20-minute walk from the centre of Sheffield making it very handy for the morning commute! The area is also an ideal spot for students and staff at the nearby University of Sheffield although Crookes is also popular with families thanks to great local schools, a well-stocked high street and amenities like Crookes Valley Park.
House prices are also very reasonable. The average overall price for the area over the last year was £229,506.
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Fulwood
The leafy suburb of Fulwood is a popular all-rounder with prospective home-owners thanks to its great range of primary schools, picturesque views across the whole city and some high-quality eateries, pubs and clubs. Fulwood’s proximity to the city centre, which is only three miles away, makes it popular with those needing to do the daily commute too.
Whilst not the cheapest area of Sheffield with an average property price of £425,937 over the last 12 months, Fulwood still offers good value in comparison to pricey neighbours Whirlow and Greystones. Fans of Fulwood should also check out nearby Ranmoor which offers better value with an average house price of £403,116, although prices are rising steadily in the area year on year.
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Ecclesall
Like St Paul’s, central suburb, Ecclesall attract students, 20-somethings and young families thanks to its buzz and convenient links to the city centre. Ecclesall also offers better value for money than nearby suburbs Fulwood and Ranmoor. With an average property price of £381,324 in the last 12 months, Ecclesall is a popular spot with first time buyers and a good £20,000-£50,000 cheaper than its neighbours.
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Hillsborough
The popular suburb of Hillsborough to the north west of the city centre is another great all-rounder with an impressive selection of schools, leisure facilities and local amenities on offer. Football fans will also appreciate the proximity to local side, Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium. Transport links (via train, bus, tram or car – take your pick!) will also have you in the city centre in a speedy 10 minutes.
One of Hillsborough’s biggest appeals is the excellent selection of affordable housing options. The average overall house price locally over the last 12 months was an impressive £180,013. One of the most affordable on our list.
For home-buyers whose budget may stretch a little further, Whirlow, in the south west, is set in a conservation area surrounded by acres of rural countryside and woodland. Alternatively, the picturesque village of Dore, 6 miles south west of Sheffield, has great schools, the Peak District on the doorstep and is a speedy 10-minute train journey into the city. Greystones, 3 miles south west from the city centre, is a little livelier with great local amenities, parks, schools and more affordable housing options than Dore and Whirlow.
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credit: Sheffield Weekly Gazette
