A guide to living in Sheffield

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Being in Kelham Island, you have all kinds of amenities nearby and it is a very up and coming area in Sheffield so it is definitely the place to be.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I had problems with paint on my bathroom ceiling and it was sorted the day after I brought it up.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There were a bit of details that being the first to move in weren’t all that sorted and settled like the increasing of the rent at the tenancy’s anniversary and the posterior 1-month rent offer that wasn’t extended to previous tenants/any kind of offer or arrangement made, but apart from that all went amazing!

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Relatively Easy to Get Around: While there can be traffic congestion at peak times, Sheffield has a decent public transport system with buses and trams.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Living here has been a generally positive experience, largely thanks to the efficient and responsive management team.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The ongoing maintenance of the building and communal areas has been consistently good.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

What’s great about The James is its location – right in the heart of the nightlife scene. So, there’s no need to wait around – I can dive straight into the action. That said, if I owned a car in the future, it would be more convenient to have parking a bit closer. The parking lot The James currently provides is decent, but I’d prefer something even nearer.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

One day, I had an issue with my window not closing one night, and it was quite late. I called Clive, a member of the maintenance team, and he answered immediately. He guided me through a temporary fix over the phone, and the next day, he came by to fix the issue completely. It was resolved quickly and efficiently.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is that, despite the area being close to nightlife and potentially noisy, the building is actually soundproof. It’s a great feature that isn’t obvious during a typical viewing. So, if you’re worried about noise, don’t be – the insulation does an excellent job of keeping things quiet inside. A tip for new residents would be to relax and enjoy the lively location, as the soundproofing ensures a peaceful environment inside your room.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is extremely convenient – just a short walk to both the supermarket and the tram stop. Although the building is on West Street, which gets quite lively on Friday and Saturday nights due to the bars and nightlife, my apartment faces southeast and not directly onto West Street, so it's surprisingly quiet and peaceful. This makes it a great balance between accessibility and comfort.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management responds to emails incredibly quickly, often faster than I expected, and they are always helpful and friendly.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known is to be extra careful with the apartment's finishes and walls. I put some things up on the wall which left marks, and a part of my deposit was deducted for that. It was a fair decision overall, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind for new residents.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The building is very close to the University of Sheffield, as well as bus and tram stops, restaurants, supermarkets, and the central train/bus station. You can easily get around on foot, as the location is strategically well placed within the city. There are a few nightclubs nearby, which might not be ideal for walking around at night depending on your lifestyle, but the rooms are well soundproofed, so street noise has never been a problem for me.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I’ve had only one issue so far, as the resident in the apartment above mine was making noise during inappropriate hours. I brought the matter to the staff’s attention, and they handled it in the best possible way. We were able to find a solution that worked for both residents, and I no longer have any problems with it. Additionally, the building management continued to follow up, regularly checking in with me to ensure the issue had been fully resolved.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

For anyone coming from abroad and considering moving to Sheffield, I’d like to share a quick tip: I highly recommend taking advantage of the live virtual tour offered by the staff. It’s a great way to get a real-time feel for the place and can help speed up the rental process. However, if you prefer to visit in person before making a decision, keep in mind that signing the lease won’t happen overnight. There are a few bureaucratic steps involved (which are not the building’s fault), so it’s wise to plan for a temporary place to stay while everything gets sorted.