Moving To Sheffield – Everything You Need To Know

February 18th, 2022

Sheffield is a popular city with both families and professionals alike. This leads many people to consider moving to Sheffield each year. But how do you know whether Sheffield is really right for you, and what steps should you be taking if you’re thinking about moving to this vibrant city?

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Sheffield, including the history of the city, some of the best places to live and the cost of living in this area.

Introducing Sheffield

Sheffield is a thriving city located in the county of South Yorkshire and is a great choice for those looking to relocate. With its interesting history, you’ll often hear the city referred to as Steel City, due to its reputation for steel production during the 1800’s. Although the industry has since declined, Sheffield played a major part throughout the industrial revolution during which its many factories quickly grew the population of the city. It was a fantastic time to live in Sheffield where stainless and crucible steel were being produced for the very first time as the economy of the area was increasing exponentially. Today, the city continues to benefit from its industrial past with its boosted healthcare, education and financial sectors still booming from the growth of the economy.

With a population of around 735,000, Sheffield is currently the 5th largest city in the UK, but manages to maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. When strolling through the streets of the city centre and its many surrounding areas, expect to greet passerby and enjoy meeting a large array of people. The city’s name was originally derived from the River Sheaf which is found running through the city. This is just one of the many green touches which help to make the city so interesting, with its unique blend of country and city life.

Residential Areas Of Sheffield

There are a large variety of areas to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect place to move in Sheffield and each brings its own perks. Here are just a few examples of neighbourhoods, to kickstart your location search and to give you an insight into life in Sheffield.

City centre – If you’re looking to be right in the middle of the action with everything on your doorstep, why not start your search in the centre itself. With fantastic local amenities including shops, restaurants, cinemas, entertainment venues, museums and cafés, there’s no risk of running out of things to do. Job opportunities are also abundant in the centre with plenty of variety to ensure there’s something available to suit you without the hassle of a lengthy commute.

Attercliffe – A popular choice, particularly amongst students. Attercliffe has a fantastic range of shops and restaurants making it ideal for those with a busy lifestyle. However living costs tend to trend slightly higher in this area of the city due to its growing demand and popularity.

Darnall – For those looking to purchase a property for slightly less but still in close proximity to the city, Darnall is a great option. It has easy access via public transport to the centre and isn’t far from all essential amenities to allow for daily convenience.

Beighton – Just slightly further out of the city, Beighton boasts a range of more spacious properties whilst still being convenient for daily commuters. Public transport is less frequent from this area, making it more suited for drivers but offers a quieter lifestyle for those seeking a base just outside of the centre. Many families opt for Beighton with its more laid back atmosphere providing a more relaxed style of living.

Areas of Sheffield

Things To Do In Sheffield

With its fantastic location and rich history, days out in and around Sheffield are endless, with options to suit all.

For those looking for a day out exploring nature, you’ll be spoilt for choice whether you choose to stay in the centre and visit the cities famous botanical gardens or opt to venture out into the peak district national park where you can explore to your heart’s content. There are many parks throughout the city with facilities to please the whole family with Graves Park being extremely popular amongst families with young children. Expect to spend a whole day exploring the vast playgrounds, visiting the café and meeting the farm animals, as well as exploring the many streams and woodland areas.

If a day of retail therapy is more your cup of tea, you won’t be disappointed by the excellent range of shops found at Meadowhall shopping centre and retail park, which is just outside of the city centre and easily accessible via public transport. Boasting 290 shops, an 11 screen cinema, 50 places to eat and 12,000 free parking space, you’re sure to find everything you need within the centre.

Sheffield is home to a variety of entertainment venues for days and evenings out, providing plenty of opportunities to get together with friends and family. The Lyceum and Crucible theatres host show stopping productions and events which prove extremely popular, along with Sheffield City Hall which provides constant events throughout the year to be enjoyed by all.  If you like to be kept busy and to have plenty of variety to keep you entertained throughout the year, Sheffield is the perfect city for you.

Transport And Commuting In Sheffield

The good news is that Sheffield has a fantastic transport system with affordable and accessible options, providing excellent links. This is to areas within the city itself and around to other cities around the UK. Due to its tight knit layout, most areas of the centre can be accessed by foot or bike however for longer distances or those with limited mobility, buses and trams run frequently, right through the centre and to surrounding neighbourhoods. Sheffield’s impressive train station is fully accessible and provides links to all major UK cities, making daily commuting easy. In 2020-2021, Sheffield was the 14th busiest station in the UK (outside of London) allowing quick and easy travel for millions of individuals.

Living in Sheffield

Education In Sheffield

Sheffield is very fortunate with its educational sectors, regardless of the age/ level of study of the student. From nurseries right up to universities, inhabitants can access the very best tuition from a variety of institutions. Sheffield is home to both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallamshire University, both of which have a fantastic range of courses offering qualifications up to masters level. With state of the art facilities and top lecturers from around the world, the education offered is first class and ranked very highly with a global reputation for excellence.

For younger students, there are many infant, junior and secondary schools to choose from around the city, alongside 3 independent day schools, two schools for those with special needs and seven private schools for international students.

Working In Sheffield

Whilst the steel industry is no longer prominent in the city, Sheffield has a wide variety of jobs available. Sectors which are currently booming include but are not limited to finance, IT, health, conservation and science with many new jobs popping up daily. If you’re considering moving to Sheffield, why not have a browse through a few job sites to see what’s out there for you. Sites such as Reed, Indeed and Gumtree are great places to start, regardless of whether you’re interested in continuing with a job post similar to your current occupation or whether you’re looking for a fresh start on a new career ladder.

Although salaries are not as high as those in London, the cost of living is significantly lower, allowing you and your family to live comfortably and at a great standard for much less. To get a better idea of what you could earn if you transferred to Sheffield, take a look on sites such a Payscale and Glassdoor which are handy for gaining an insight into what could be out there for you.

Cost Of Living In Sheffield

Generally speaking, living expenses in Sheffield are very reasonable and likely to be lower than what you’re used to. Compared to other major cities, the prices are significantly lower allowing for a relaxed style of care free living. The price of houses is also staggeringly lower with a wide range of properties available to suit all requirements and budgets. These properties range from student flats and accommodation to detached homes.

Pubs, cafés and restaurants are reasonably priced with many local attractions and days out free or available for a small ticket cost. This means that in your spare time, limitless days out can be enjoyed even on a small budget.

Finding An Estate Agent In Sheffield

Moving to a new area is an exciting experience, especially when the neighbourhood has as much to offer as Sheffield. With a friendly feel, you’ll be sure to feel part of the furniture quickly and enjoy settling into the day to day life of the city.

If you’re looking for an estate agent to help you take the first steps in moving to Sheffield or to simply test the water by making an enquiry, I’d be delighted to help. As an independent estate agent in Sheffield with many years of expertise in the industry, I’m ideally placed to assist you in your property move.

I pride myself on bringing the personal touch to helping you find your next property, taking the stress and pressure away from you. I’m always happy to help with no obligations, so don’t hesitate! Give me a call on 07920 097 175 or fill out the contact form below to get the ball rolling and begin the process of moving to Sheffield.