A guide to living in South Yorkshire

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

The location of The James is totally ideal for me. It's very central and close to many shops, bars, and restaurants. Everything is within a short walk, even beautiful open parks. The transport links are exceptional and parking has never been a problem for me. Bin collections are regular and despite being on a busy street the noise is completely acceptable.

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

I haven't had any issues yet. But should any occur I know it will be dealt with quickly and professionally.

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

I didn't expect everyone (residents and staff) to be so helpful and friendly. I've only lived here two months and have made some incredible friends.

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

Everything is easily walkable to the city center, tram station, train station, and public transport. This is the best area to live.

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

The building management has been responsive and professional. Issues raised—such as maintenance requests or service concerns—have typically been addressed promptly and effectively. Communication is clear, and follow-ups are timely, which builds confidence in their support.

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

I overlooked the small kitchen storage space under the pillar.

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

Overall, the neighbourhood is quite good. It’s easy to access the city centre with regular and reliable transport links, making commuting very convenient. There’s a decent range of local shops, restaurants, and cafes, and a few nice open spaces nearby for walking or relaxing. Occasionally, there are some homeless people in the area, and it can get a bit loud from time to time, especially on weekends. Despite minor issues, it’s a comfortable and well-connected place to live.

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

It took two years of constant follow-up to finally get the window issue resolved. The curtain in our room has been broken for over a year and still hasn’t been fixed. When the oven broke, we also had to chase them up to get it repaired. Overall, the response from building management has been slow and requires persistent follow-up.

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

Honestly, if I had known about the condition of the windows beforehand, I probably wouldn’t have moved in. It was very exhausting both physically and mentally.

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

I’m really happy living in Iron Yard. There’s a great range of local shops, cafés, and restaurants nearby, with a friendly community vibe. Open green spaces are within walking distance, which is perfect for relaxing or going on walks. Transport links are very convenient with buses and trains easily accessible, although occasional delays can happen during peak hours. Living on Iron Yard has been a positive experience — underground parking is usually available, bin collections are regular, and I haven’t experienced any major issues with anti-social behaviour or traffic noise. It’s a comfortable and pleasant place to live.

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

I haven’t raised any issues so far, but communication from building management has been clear and reassuring.

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

I have everything I need at Iron Yard, but one thing to note is that some weekends can be a bit livelier due to the central location. It’s not a major issue, but something worth knowing. Otherwise, it’s a great place to live with all key amenities close by.

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

Central location, Very close to the Universities, shops, and city centre. There is some noise, but mainly coming from the ring road at the back.

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

As noted, Martin the building manager has been absolutely fantastic and is helping in every way possible to make the renting experience as good as possible.

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

Noise coming from the Premier Inn parking when hotel customers press the buzzer to get in. This beeping sound is constant, loud, and gets echoed and amplified, which can become particularly annoying and distracting especially during night times. The other thing is knowing how badly insulated the building is - especially the state of the windows.