I moved away from Sheffield 12 years ago and come back every now and again, for example the past weekend I came with my partner to visit my mum.

So how's Sheffield?

a) Very friendly. Example: We went on a day trip to Bolsover Castle and on the way saw a sign to Birley Spa Bathhouse. I'd read about it on the net and thought we could have a look. It didn't look open, and wasn't, but some kids were running about. We were about to get into the car when a guy came out and asked us if we would like a look around. Although it was actually shut he opened up especially and made the effort to take us around. If you haven't been, GO! It is a really interesting look into our past, very friendly, this place is a hidden gem.

b) Good architecture . Stop looking at the crap buildings and look up at the facades not just in town, but everywhere. My partner is an art historian specialising in architecture and he was more impressed by Sheffield than Manchester (first time in both cities).

c) Fantastic surroundings. But you all know that.

And one negative thing: The people of Sheffield put their city down too much. They walk around moaning, navel-gazing. We got talking to some people on Fargate (get rid of those shabby market stalls, btw!) and when they heard we'd come from Germany for the weekend it was "What've you come here for, it's crap". But the paradox is, although Sheffielders tell visitors it's crap and moan about the place all the time (see this forum!), they moan even more about losing out to places like Leeds. The thing is, Leeds doesn't think it's crap and Loiners don't tell visitors it's crap.

Excellent point, well made! I've been here two years, and I would agree completely!! All the Essex residents (my place of birth, hehe) bang on about how great their home county is, and it is kind of infectious - makes you see the best of a place.

I reckon it could be the reason Paris is so popular - I mean it's not that great really, if you've seen it - but the French talk constantly about how fantastuic it is so everyone eventually believes them!

Perhaps it's time the people of Sheffield took pride in their city... stopped making such a mess of the streets, etc... then maybe Leeds wouldn't be so popular!!

apart from wantin gto move abroad i dont think id live anywhere else:)

I have lived all over, I like Sheffield. Lots of good people here with little bad attitude

Many of the natives do tend to slate it, agreed.

Is it not true that it has the (one of) highest retention rate of visiting students?

bloody students! :D i think sheffie d is very up and coming esp compared to Rotherham, Donny and chesterfield

Speaking as one of those students who came here to uni and stayed on, Sheffield is a great place to live.

Maybe people who've lived here all their lives don't appreciate how good they've got it, compared to other UK cities. Sheffield is so friendly (speaking generally of course), it's unbelievable. People striking up easy conversations at bus-stops would be unheard of in Edinburgh. If you try to talk to a stranger in the street there, people think you're some sort of loon!

Sheffield may not be the most fashionable place to live, but it's real and honest. When I first came to live here, Sheffield seemed like a collection of villages to me - it has that sort of cosy feeling about it.

OK, it's not the best place in the world to shop, but there are so many more important things in life.

Sheffield's got a lot going for it!

StarSparkle :thumbsup:

Originally posted by StarSparkle

Sheffield may not be the most fashionable place to live, but it's real and honest.
OK, it's not the best place in the world to shop, but there are so many more important things in life.


cheeky bum, it is too fashionable!! and the shops are ace, you just gotta know where to go:D

Originally posted by NatalieSheff
cheeky bum, it is too fashionable!! and the shops are ace, you just gotta know where to go:D

OK, NatalieSheff, whatever you say ...... ;)

Originally posted by StarSparkle
OK, NatalieSheff, whatever you say ...... ;)

:hihi: :hihi: like your response and agree:hihi: :hihi:

i didnt mean its too fashionable i mean it is too, fashionable. as in "it is too!"
but yeah if you know where ur going its nice, town and meadow as long as ur not gettin ankle bashed or pickpocketed :hihi:

Sheffield is a great place to live - I've CHOSEN to live here after all! - and there's nowhere else I'd rather live .....

But in response to NatalieSheff's post, however much you love Sheffield, the shopping simply doesn't compare with Manchester or Leeds.

But as I said, there's many, far more important things in life than shopping.

When it comes to a decent place to live, Sheffield beats both of the above cities hands-down. Although I am very fond of Manc!

StarSparkle - proud to be a Sheffield resident :thumbsup:

admit it, you love Netto :hihi:

Originally posted by robbie
admit it, you love Netto :hihi:

Couldn't do without it - why do you think I live in Walkley?! :gag: :gag:

PS Oops! The gagging smilies were for Netto - not for Walkley!!

StarSparkle - agree with everything you said about Sheff. I moved here (nearly) 2 years ago from London, and I love it for all the reasons you outline. I wouldn't go back to London for all the tea in China. This place has soul and more than it's fair share of wonderful people.

I moved here ten years ago from Merseyside, came as a student and stayed.

It always amazes me how negative the locals can be about their city especially knowing how immensely pround Liverpudlians are. Take pride Sheffielders and consider just how many of us do decide to adopt this city as their home - can't be all that bad can it?

I, too, came here to University - and never went home! I was born in Oldham, and have worked in Manchester. I have always found Sheffield to be friendlier, and to feel safer, than Manchester or Leeds or London.

Sheffield has a lot going for it. It could be better - but so could everywhere.

As I ahem said elsewhere on this Forum, we have to get the balance right between constructive criticism to identify areas fro improvement, and pure negative criticism when those improvements are made! Whenever something new comes along there is always someone who will say "waste of money", "could have been better", "Leeds / Manchester / Birmingham have one better than ours", "should have done something else", etc, etc.

Originally posted by StarSparkle
Sheffield is a great place to live - I've CHOSEN to live here after all! - and there's nowhere else I'd rather live .....

But in response to NatalieSheff's post, however much you love Sheffield, the shopping simply doesn't compare with Manchester or Leeds.

But as I said, there's many, far more important things in life than shopping.

When it comes to a decent place to live, Sheffield beats both of the above cities hands-down. Although I am very fond of Manc!

StarSparkle - proud to be a Sheffield resident :thumbsup:
manch and leeds ace for the clubbin i have to say!:hihi:

Originally posted by NatalieSheff
cheeky bum, it is too fashionable!! and the shops are ace, you just gotta know where to go:D
Giz a clue then? Where to go??