Evening all,

First post here - be gentle ;)

Ok - after 10 happy years living in Crookes, I moved back to my home town of Leeds last year, as for 2 years I had been working in the town and doing the monstrous commute up/down the M1 every day.

Now, a change of career brings me back to Sheffield, and myself and my girlfriend are looking to buy a property, but preferably somewhere other than Crookes. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful place, but moving back now might feel like a retrograde step given that we don't want to live in the same part of town forever. Looking elsewhere we've been drawn to Kelham Island and in particular to Cornish Place. We're keen on large living space and it would seem that flats give the best return £ for £ in this regard. Having little experience of Kelham Island other than driving past it on the way out to the M1, I wondered what the collective wisdom on the forum was on the following:

1) What Kelham Island is like to live in? I'm used to being able to pop out and pick up a pint of milk/beer on my doorstep. I know the pubs in the vicinity, but what's the day to day living like there if you don't want to get in the car every time you want something.

2) My girlfriend is concerned about crime. We used to work at Norwich Union (when students in the city in the late 90s) on Trippet Lane, and remember vividly the girls + pimps on the streets from 16:00 onwards. I have a high tolerance to this kind of thing, but wondered what others (particularly women) thought about this and the fact that there are a lot of derelict buildings in the Kelham Island area.

3) I know city centre flats are on the skids at the moment, but what do people think of the more sympathetic conversions of older buildings (such as Cornish Place) - do you think these will go down the pan, or will their charm save them from some of the probs associated with the bigger new build developments. Also, with new works stalling because of the credit crunch, what will the immediate future hold for Kelham Island? I wonder how much more regeneration will take place, and whether this will be a push factor making residents want to leave over time....

4) What's the quickest way to walk into town from Cornish Place? Would rather not repeatedly pay for a tram from Shalesmoor every time I want to go out. I'd normally drive up Furnace Hill and down Mappin St if approaching in the car. Not sure I'd want my girlfriend walking up the bottom of Furnace Hill on a dark night though....

Think that's all for now!

P

it's good as a floodplain when it rains and I think you'll find the hookers have moved down there and Neepsend...still fancy living there? :hihi:

Evening all,

First post here - be gentle ;)

Ok - after 10 happy years living in Crookes, I moved back to my home town of Leeds last year, as for 2 years I had been working in the town and doing the monstrous commute up/down the M1 every day.

Now, a change of career brings me back to Sheffield, and myself and my girlfriend are looking to buy a property, but preferably somewhere other than Crookes. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful place, but moving back now might feel like a retrograde step given that we don't want to live in the same part of town forever. Looking elsewhere we've been drawn to Kelham Island and in particular to Cornish Place. We're keen on large living space and it would seem that flats give the best return £ for £ in this regard. Having little experience of Kelham Island other than driving past it on the way out to the M1, I wondered what the collective wisdom on the forum was on the following:

1) What Kelham Island is like to live in? I'm used to being able to pop out and pick up a pint of milk/beer on my doorstep. I know the pubs in the vicinity, but what's the day to day living like there if you don't want to get in the car every time you want something.

2) My girlfriend is concerned about crime. We used to work at Norwich Union (when students in the city in the late 90s) on Trippet Lane, and remember vividly the girls + pimps on the streets from 16:00 onwards. I have a high tolerance to this kind of thing, but wondered what others (particularly women) thought about this and the fact that there are a lot of derelict buildings in the Kelham Island area.

3) I know city centre flats are on the skids at the moment, but what do people think of the more sympathetic conversions of older buildings (such as Cornish Place) - do you think these will go down the pan, or will their charm save them from some of the probs associated with the bigger new build developments. Also, with new works stalling because of the credit crunch, what will the immediate future hold for Kelham Island? I wonder how much more regeneration will take place, and whether this will be a push factor making residents want to leave over time....

4) What's the quickest way to walk into town from Cornish Place? Would rather not repeatedly pay for a tram from Shalesmoor every time I want to go out. I'd normally drive up Furnace Hill and down Mappin St if approaching in the car. Not sure I'd want my girlfriend walking up the bottom of Furnace Hill on a dark night though....

Think that's all for now!

P

Evening all,

First post here - be gentle ;)

Ok - after 10 happy years living in Crookes, I moved back to my home town of Leeds last year, as for 2 years I had been working in the town and doing the monstrous commute up/down the M1 every day.

Now, a change of career brings me back to Sheffield, and myself and my girlfriend are looking to buy a property, but preferably somewhere other than Crookes. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful place, but moving back now might feel like a retrograde step given that we don't want to live in the same part of town forever. Looking elsewhere we've been drawn to Kelham Island and in particular to Cornish Place. We're keen on large living space and it would seem that flats give the best return £ for £ in this regard. Having little experience of Kelham Island other than driving past it on the way out to the M1, I wondered what the collective wisdom on the forum was on the following:

1) What Kelham Island is like to live in? I'm used to being able to pop out and pick up a pint of milk/beer on my doorstep. I know the pubs in the vicinity, but what's the day to day living like there if you don't want to get in the car every time you want something.

2) My girlfriend is concerned about crime. We used to work at Norwich Union (when students in the city in the late 90s) on Trippet Lane, and remember vividly the girls + pimps on the streets from 16:00 onwards. I have a high tolerance to this kind of thing, but wondered what others (particularly women) thought about this and the fact that there are a lot of derelict buildings in the Kelham Island area.

3) I know city centre flats are on the skids at the moment, but what do people think of the more sympathetic conversions of older buildings (such as Cornish Place) - do you think these will go down the pan, or will their charm save them from some of the probs associated with the bigger new build developments. Also, with new works stalling because of the credit crunch, what will the immediate future hold for Kelham Island? I wonder how much more regeneration will take place, and whether this will be a push factor making residents want to leave over time....

4) What's the quickest way to walk into town from Cornish Place? Would rather not repeatedly pay for a tram from Shalesmoor every time I want to go out. I'd normally drive up Furnace Hill and down Mappin St if approaching in the car. Not sure I'd want my girlfriend walking up the bottom of Furnace Hill on a dark night though....

Think that's all for now!

P


Personally I wouldn't buy/live there. Yes city centre flats may be dropping in price but they have got the all important factor - location, location, location. Unless a LOT of money is injected into the Kehlam Island area, I can't see how these flats can retain their value. They're not in the city, and I think the only reason anyone puts up with the negative points of living in a city centre flat is because they are balanced out by one major positive factor - location.

Thanks for the responses to date!

Not so sure that the location of some of the city centre new-build developments will always win out every time (have heard of lots of probs with the smaller flats in West One) over the quality of some developments in older buildings in less desirable locations (thinking of Cornish Place) - but I guess only time will tell.

Anyone got anything nice to say about Kelham Island???

P

Theres nothing there only river don,little tesco,couple of pubs thats u lot ?/think/?

it's good as a floodplain when it rains and I think you'll find the hookers have moved down there and Neepsend...still fancy living there? :hihi:

The hookers have long gone. The area is becoming gentrified. All the old buildings are being restored so I wouldn't consider buying a new build as they don't hold their prices as well. It's only a short walk to town (Cathedral area) and there's plenty of great pubs there (Milestone, Fat Cat, Kelham Island, Riverside etc...). It is true that there area is a flood plain so consider that when buying. However, last years floods are completely out of character so perhaps people are being a little alarmist. Although the area is safe, I'd make sure you end up with off road parking as it's a rat run so likely to get clipped.

I've looked at flats down there for myself. Thinking of a city pad and then somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the peaks. Bliss...

Cornish Place is a nice conversion, probably the best resi in the Kelham Island area, which is fast changing from semi derelict industrial to residential- how this will progress in the current economic climate who knows..

But it is on the edge of the red light area and the area has flooded. Its the flooding that would put me off- the red light area will move on eventually.

I live at Kelham Mills and like living in this area. Used to live in Ranmoor area, which was lovely area but these are modern, new flats and closer to town than places like Crookes and Ranmoor. There is tram stop close by, tesco express 2 minutes walk, 24 hour tesco 5 minutes walk on infirmary road. Plus, having the lovely milestone and lots of good pubs is brilliant. You do see prostitutes, but they keep themselves to themselves and tend to stay down side streets. I think living in Kelham is really good and you get a better sense of community than right in the centre.

Good luck with your search!

Don't!!! I had a fantastic place there. The building at the back goes down into the river and every morning the same swans would appear. We had huge original steel beams that ran the length of the flat. It was great.

HOWEVER: I really don't think the flats are well built. We could hear everything rom the flat above. Ok, the person above was a complete prat but they weren't to blame for a door closing, footsteps, or having a late night "session" once in a while. We ended up sleeping in the 2nd bedroom which was a box. We ended up moving due to this.

Also, what isn't usually mentioned - you have to pay the builders (forgot the company) %1 of the price you sell for which really annoyed me.

Other than that: well, the prostitutes aren't a problem, though they're there. Access into town was great with the tram and you are definately in the midst of the greatest pubs Sheffield has. (I was a Cask and Cutler fan - it was the pickled eggs in a bun case that did it for me).

Anyway, I'd buy there, but make sure it's a penthouse.

I've lived down at Kelham Island since 2000 and love it. True, there used to be a problem with prostitution in the area, but after work by the Kelham Island Community Association (KICA) with the community Police, the girls have moved on. At the monthly KICA meetings, the local Police always give a report. Surprisingly, the area has the lowest reported crime levels in Sheffield. The main crime is car crime, from people leaving Sat Navs or other items on display.

The area is very quiet after working hours, and having the river on the doorstep does add an air of tranquillity. The city centre is about 10 minutes walk away, so effectively on the doorstep.

Probably the best thing about the area in my opinion is the very strong community spirit in the area. Ever since the first development at Cornish Place and Brooklyn Works, the residents have always made an effort to engender a cohesive community. There are generally summer, bonfire and Christmas parties for residents and friends. Generally, people bring along some food, drink and something for the party. The community organised a clean up of the River Don around Ball Bridge earlier in the year. It was attended by about 30 residents and a couple of the local councillors.
Quite a few of the 'locals' meet in the Milestone on Thursday evenings for a catch up and cocktails at the 2 for 1 night.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the comments re flooding. True, there was some flooding in June last year, but this is the first time in recorded history that the area has flooded naturally. The Great Flood of 1864 was a result of a burst dam higher up the river system in Bradfield.

Take a look at the Kelham Island Forum (http://brooklynandcornish.myfastforum.org/). Ask for opinions on there if you need any further convincing.

I like it down there. I have recently been in one of the Derwent living ones that overlook the river and thought it was really nice. The area has great pubs, no traffic problems, it's close to town, you have a student Tesco and then a large 24hour one very close, all is good in my opinion. The odd hooker but they don't seem to hassle you. Well, they don't hassle me, perhaps I should be insulted!!

If I did not have my house in Burngreave and had to live in a flat then that's the area I would probably choose.

Thanks for the responses everyone!

There's a fine line between being adventurous and being stupid when it comes to moving to areas that you're not familiar with on the strength of one house/flat or development of houses/flats, but we're really quite keen on Cornish Place and it's nice to hear from some residents who have balanced opinions on living in Kelham Island.

Flooding aside, I think we'd only try to go for one of the penthouses as previous flat living experiences have left me with burnt fingers! You never hear the person underneath you walking around to use the toilet in the middle of the night :)

Any more comments gratefully received up here in Leeds

P

I lived in Brooklyn Works, next to Cornish Place, for a few years and loved it. The location is great for town, the tram and Tesco. At the time there were some hookers (I'm not sure if they've gone now), but they were never a problem - they basically left us alone when they realised we weren't interested. There was always a friend of a friend who'd had some hassle, but that can happen anyway in the city.
The flooding last year didn't reach the ground floor flats in our block. But we don't own the building anyway - they're on a 125 year lease, so the buildings insurance isn't directly our problem, although we pay for it via the service charge.
I'd recommend both Cornish Place and Brooklyn Works. Living by the river is basically great, there's a good community spirit, and the flats are pretty spacious compared with others in the city.
Good luck!

Well reading this thread, i was so wrong , it sounds lovely.i remember the Rolling mills that was oppositt? the Harliquin,,

Do people feel safe walking to and from town? One of my freinds is considering moving there. I'm telling her not to - I can imagine her on a night out being very drunk and just walking home - as it is only 10 mins away. This would scare the life out of me so I keep telling her not to move there!!

I am not aware of anyone who has had any issues walking back to the Island on the way back from town. There are quite a few people who wander back after an evening out.

Claret,
I always felt pretty safe walking to and from town. No problems whatsoever in the daytime, although some friends of friends reported hassle late in the evening - mainly from hookers who were high on drugs and not thinking straight. Nothing major though - I'm talking about two people in two years.
My take on it was that any part of town carries some risk of drunken idiots causing problems and there's less of that in Kelham Island, because there are fewer pubs etc. Also, the busy ring road made me feel safer. The perception is probably the main thing, although I'm not aware of any facts either way.
I hope this helps,

Claret,
I always felt pretty safe walking to and from town. No problems whatsoever in the daytime, although some friends of friends reported hassle late in the evening - mainly from hookers who were high on drugs and not thinking straight. Nothing major though - I'm talking about two people in two years.
My take on it was that any part of town carries some risk of drunken idiots causing problems and there's less of that in Kelham Island, because there are fewer pubs etc. Also, the busy ring road made me feel safer. The perception is probably the main thing, although I'm not aware of any facts either way.
I hope this helps,

Being a former Crookes resident I'm not too familiar with all the roads from a pedestrian perspective round there. How would you walk back from West St, say, to Cornish Place?

I know there's the tram, but £1.40 a pop for a single is a bit steep ;)