Visiting and Living in Sheffield

Last Updated August 2024

A centre for music and art, split by the River Sheaf, Sheffield is a historic part of Yorkshire and has become iconic for its culture, vibrance and historical significance. A pillar for its role in the Industrial Revolution, the development of cutting edge technologies helped to shape the course of history – these buildings continue to shape history even today as many have been hollowed out and converted into galleries, theatres and museums.

Our visiting and living in Sheffield guide explores the city, the key things you’ll want to know about this mini metropolis and the hidden gems that should be on your hit list!

 

Where is Sheffield?

Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, UK. It’s near well-known cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

Latitude: 53.383331

Longitude: -1.466667

Famous People from Sheffield

Sheffield is quite possibly best known for a little band that formed in 2002, you may have heard of them – The Arctic Monkeys. 7 time winner at the Brit awards, 20 wins at the NME awards and Grammy nominees, this iconic band is loud and proud about their Sheffield roots.

One does not simply walk into Sheffield – a fan of Lord of the Rings, James Bond, or maybe Game of Thrones – well iconic actor Sean Bean is a Sheffielder, born and raised in Handsworth. We’re all still reeling the loss of Ned Stark.

 

Is Sheffield a Good Place to Live?

Sheffield is a good place to live for those who enjoy a progressive and thriving city with a cool edge, so much so that even Zoopla, the property website and app, agrees.

The people are generally down to earth to match the laid back vibe of the city, with an added bonus of a more affordable cost of living thanks to being up north. Whether you’re a student, flocking to the popular university districts, or want city vibes on a smaller, green scale – you’ll find somewhere to obsess over in Sheffield.

 

Living in Sheffield is a popular question for people across the UK, so much there is a Reddit Thread dedicated to it – What is it like to live in Sheffield?. In fact, the city itself has its own Sheffield Reddit thread of locals discussing updates, upcoming events and random titbits, we’d highly recommend taking a gander if you are interested in living in Sheffield.

 

 

Living in Sheffield

With 61% green space, living in Sheffield is like no other. The Outdoor City is one third Peak District National Park making outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, biking and rock climbing a must as a local – they very much feel the need to appreciate their wealth of natural beauty!

Sure, it may be smaller than nearby Manchester but not only is it more affordable but it’s economy of £11.3 billion means there are plenty of job opportunities, all wrapped up in a pretty city that bustling with bars, restaurants and things to do.

 

 

How Many People Live in Sheffield

According to the last Sheffield census, there were 556,500 people living in Sheffield in 2021 – this is 7% more than the 2011 census. Sheffield’s demographic is pretty diverse as well, you can explore Sheffield Local Insight for a interactive map of Sheffield’s population, which has some pretty call features.

As a very popular student city, it’s no surprise that a large portion of the people living in Sheffield are students who attend one of Sheffield’s two universities. Are you a student looking to attend a university in Sheffield? Read our guide to student accommodation security for top tips on how to stay safe at uni!

 

Best Place to Live in Sheffield

Sheffield is diverse and offers something different for everyone depending on budget, the general consensus of Sheffielders are that the some of the best places to live in Sheffield are:

• Crookes
• Norton Lees
• Dore
• Sharrow
• Hunters bar

 

Some of the wealthier areas of Sheffield, like Dore, Whirlow, Long Line, Totley, Fulwood and Ranmoor (just to name a few) all have great schools, lower crime rates and lots of green space – but as desirable as they are they are on the expensive side when it comes to living in Sheffield, however a great choice for families.

Greystone (near the top of Ecclesall Road) is popular for young couples and families alike thanks to lots of cafes, proximity to Endcliffe Park, good schools and only a 10 minute drive from the Peak District.

Shadow, Hunters Bar and Lodgemoor are all popular with university students attending Sheffield and Hallam but if you are looking for an area with more competitive pricing you might want to have a look around Kelham Island and Hillsborough.

 

Is Sheffield Safe?

Is Sheffield safe? The locals on Reddit consider Sheffield to be pretty safe on an average day, apart from a few illegal driving manoeuvres and some bar patrons leaving a little bit merrier than when they arrived.

However, if you ask crime rate, they’ll tell you that Sheffield is the most dangerous major city in South Yorkshire, with it’s 2023 crime rate of 106 crimes per 1000 people.

 

Higher Crime Areas in Sheffield

The highest crime can be seen in central Sheffield which a multitude of bars, clubs and shops call home. With the vast amount of hospitality and retail, central Sheffield is more prone to crimes such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting and anyone visiting should be more aware of these.

Apart from central Sheffield, areas such as Burngreave, Darnall, Firth Park and Manor Castle are areas with higher crime rates.

 

Living Expenses in Sheffield

For your average family of four, your estimated monthly costs are £2,937, this only halves for a single person who in August 2024 is estimated to spend £1,375 in living expenses.

For 2 people a average price for utilities is going to be £142 per month.

Thinking of buying lunch everyday? Well on average it will cost you £9 – that’s £189 per month (assuming you work 5 days per week).

Source: Expaitstan

 

Asking Prices in Sheffield

Northern parts of the UK are considerably more affordable than its southern counterparts, such as Brighton. You’ll get a lot more for your money in Sheffield, here are the average asking prices:

• Terraced: £200,000
• Detached: £380,000
• Semi-detached: £230,000
• Flat: £125,000

The University of Sheffield

As one of the UK’s leading research universities and a part of the Russell Group, the University of Sheffield is known for their outstanding academic and teaching performance. The University is not only ranked the 14^th in the UK, but internationally ranked as 93^rd in the world and 45^th in Europe.

As a university that is known for its academic excellence, the University of Sheffield has a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses alongside the opportunity for students to take masters and PhDs.

 

University Accommodation

Ranmoor and Endcliffe are the biggest communities in Sheffield, with a range of different student room configurations to choose from. From shared rooms to individual rooms with en-suites to studio flats all student accommodation offers a student lifestyle where they have spaces to socialise, study and exercise. Pricing can range from £120 – £150 per week depending on what accommodation type you choose and where in the city the accommodation is.

 

Sheffield Hallam University

As one of the largest universities in the UK, this university is home to more than 30,000 students and can be traced back to 1843. Offering courses from Accounting to Design to Forensics, this university has a wide breath of courses to ensure that all get a phenomenal education.

 

 

Visiting Sheffield

Thinking of taking a trip to The Outdoor City? With outdoor activities, bars, shopping and diverse range of cultural experiences there is not a moment to be missed!

 

Sheffield Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, also known as Sheffield Cathedral is one of five Grade 1 listed buildings in the city; along with the town hall, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and parish churches; Ecclesfield and Bradfield. The east end is the oldest, with some of the sanctuary stones dating back to the 13th century. Offering services and guided tours, the cathedral is a must see if you are a fan of architecture.

 

Staying Overnight in Sheffield

If you are looking to visit Sheffield, whether a weekend getaway, family city break, or on a business trip, Trip Advisor has the recommendations. Find highly rated recommendations (some even are winners of the travellers’ choice award) at a range of different budgets and vibes! Just be sure to check out the reviews from previous customers!

 

Leisure in Sheffield

Sitting so close to some of the UK’s most beautiful spots, holding a wealth of different cultural experiences and home to all the comforts of a big city, there is enough in and around the city to keep you occupied for any duration of stay.

 

The Peak District

If you are a nature lover, Sheffield offers access to one of the most beautiful greens spaces in the UK, sitting extremely close to the Peak District. Only 30 minutes away by car or only a short bus journey away by bus, this national park offers an exciting day out for everyone.

 

Sheffield Winter Gardens

This award winning Sheffield attraction homes over 2,500 plants from all over the globe and is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK during the last 100 years and is the largest urban glasshouse in Europe. Not home to only botanical beauties but also to a handful of shops and a little café where coffee and a little nibble are a must. And the best thing about the Winter Gardens is that admission is free.

 

Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

One of the oldest football clubs in the world, Sheffield Wednesday F.C. is a bit of a love them or hate them situation with the city divided over supporting them or Sheffield United F.C. Either way, if you are looking to support your local football team you’ll need to decide if you blood runs blue (Sheffield Wednesday F.C.) or red (Sheffield United F.C.).

The Birthplace of the UK Craft Beer Revolution

Sheffield is known across the country as the birthplace of the UK’s craft beer revolution, with the city still sitting firmly at the forefront of the British brewing scene playing host to a unique range of beers available throughout the city’s brew houses.

The Beer House, The Ale House and The Ecclesall Ale Club are said to be some of the hottest brew houses in the city, offering a range of cultivated beers and ales.

 

Things to Do with the Kids in Sheffield

As a family, finding something fun for everyone can be a challenge. But not in Sheffield it isn’t. There are lots for the whole family to enjoy!

 

The Sheffield Treasure Hunt Trail

If you have some budding pirates in your party, then the Sheffield Treasure hunt is a must. Cracking clues and codes from Sheffield’s statues, signposts and buildings lead you towards a pirate’s bounty at the end of this 1.5 mile trail across the city.

They say this treasure hunt will take any swash buckling privateer around 2 hours to complete, but as the trail stops at some of Sheffield’s most popular tourist attractions you can easily fit in a walk around The Winter Gardens or the Tudor Square to make the adventure a little bit longer.

 

Ponds Forge

If your kids are like a fish to water, you might want to stop by Ponds Forge where a wave pool, 2 covered flumes and a last river await. Fun for all the family, there is enough here to keep the kids occupied for hours as they race down the flumes, jump the waves when the siren sounds or even just take time to relax on the lazy river.

With a smaller pool with mini fountains and a friendly dolphin, toddlers and babies can join in the fun with other siblings.

 

Shopping in Sheffield

Sheffield is a great place for shopping as there is something for everyone, take a look at the different shopping areas below:

 

Meadowhall

If you’re after a full days’ worth of shopping then head over to Meadowhall that has over 270 retail shops plus restaurants, cafes and a cinema! Meadowhall offers high street chains and high end retail.

 

Sheffield Antiques Quarter

Located south of the city centre you’ll find retro and quirky items at Sheffield Antiques Quarter, there are over 60 shops, cafes and bars here as well as the city’s oldest cinema the Abbeydale Picture House which hosts cultural events and screenings so you can be sure to find plenty to do here.

 

Devonshire Quarter

If you’re after a more cosmopolitan purchase check out the Devonshire Quarter with its award winning shops! Boutiques, music stores and design shops will have you all shopped out but there are plenty of bars and cafes here to rest in after.

 

The Moor Market

This indoor market provides you with all your fresh fruit and veg, meat, jewellery, clothing etc. as well as great worldwide influenced food stalls.

Need a Locksmith in Sheffield?

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Sheffield Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Sheffield provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security!