Hi
I'm going to be moving to sheffield in september going to the uni of sheffield for a 3 year post grad course and wanted to buy a house. Went up yesterday and visited a house on arbourthorne road which was REALLY nice. Was considering putting an offer in.... until i read some of the threads on this site!
Is it really that bad? The house was looked nice from the outside and the other houses around didn't look that rough! are they all council houses round there? they looked like privately owned ones to me. The garden of the house baked onto a park (i think by looking at a map its arbourthorne sports ground!)
If i bought i'd want to live there for the 3 years of the course but not sure if i'd be making a mistake by moving to that area? I'm guessing its not a student area! Can anyone give me some advice? The house was very secure but is the area just altogether bad news?

Thanks

Perhaps as a student you'd like to look elsewhere? ;)

Most of the properties on Arbourthorne are council houses, or former council houses. there are only a few proerties which were originally private ownership.

I lived on Arbourthorne road for some time, in my teens, and then in a property off the same road, until 2 yrs ago. I would have still been there, if I could have gotten the adaptions I needed to my property. Instead I had to move into another area into a property that was adapted.

I didn't mind living round there, at all.

It's close for trams, and frequent buses, good shopping and facilities.

It's convenient for town (2-2.8 miles, depending on which point you live at) so not outside strolling distance.

Drawback is that in various points in the area, you do have pockets of the antisocial element. That park was used for joyriding, until barriers were put in place to prevent vehicle access. (the park is the eastern avenue playing fields, btw)

However, (and you can ask redrobbo!) it's not too bad an area to live in. there's a lot going on, community wise. there are a lot of community minded folks working in that district.

Also if you are "religiously" inclined, there's a lovely little church, called Arbourthorne Community Church, who will make you very welcome. I used to go there.

edit to add:-
the view over the city from the playing field is fantastic. if i couldn't sleep, at night i'd take my dog onto the field, and contemplate my "worry" whilst watching the city lights, that was very pleasant.

PT

I agree with everything PT says, but be aware that there is a resentment towards students in Sheffield from some of the locals.

The Arborthorne and Manor estates are probably best struck off your list :suspect:

hmmm :confused:
I really really loved the house!
Maybe i could lie about my student status? and i will be a post grad, could that make a difference? possibly not!
Well i won't write it off completely just yet but will go back to the drawing board!
I guess thinking about it they did have a big dog (possibly for security and not a pet!) and CCTV! Although everyone seems to have CCTV!!!
If only i could just transfer the house elsewhere :(

Are you actually from Oxford Ally?
A southern accent will not make you popular in those parts either - difficult to hide really.

Hi OxfordAlly,

I'd personally avoid Arbourthorne. I live in Mersbrook which isn't far from arb, don't really go there, not very nice place, not good rep...

If you are looking in the same area I would look at Lowfield, Heeley Green, Meersbrook, Norton Lees. Nice areas, friendly neighbourhood, nice local nightlife.

There are quite a few nice properties on sale on this forum in the above areas (have seen a few on sale that are up the road).

I personally dont think Arbourthorne Rd is bad at all.
I don't live very far from it and i spent half my childhood on the Arbourthorne. I think if you keep yourself to yourself, you will be fine.
I especially like some of the houses to the bottom end of Arbourthorne Rd.

Originally posted by Strix
Are you actually from Oxford Ally?
A southern accent will not make you popular in those parts either - difficult to hide really.

Yes, from oxford and proud of it!!! and whats wrong with a southern accent???

Could cause problems i guess, in deciphering and also for me in terms of comprehension!

I could always try and incorporate 'tut' into all my sentences, e.g. going 'tut' shops!

Originally posted by vidster

I especially like some of the houses to the bottom end of Arbourthorne Rd.

The house i was looking at was at the end closest to the tram stop, is that where you mean? it all looked quite respectable to me!
There's still hope! It really was a lovely house! :(
I guess with the money i'll save from buying in a more expensive area i could always hire a security guard??

Originally posted by OxfordAlly
Yes, from oxford and proud of it!!! and whats wrong with a southern accent???

Could cause problems i guess, in deciphering and also for me in terms of comprehension!

I could always try and incorporate 'tut' into all my sentences, e.g. going 'tut' shops!
Well, exactly. If you want your windows bricked, you move that attitude right into the Arbourthorne and don't say we didn't warn you :roll:

I believe it could be arranged for your car to be barbequed too ;)

Originally posted by OxfordAlly
The house i was looking at was at the end closest to the tram stop, is that where you mean? it all looked quite respectable to me!
There's still hope! It really was a lovely house! :(
I guess with the money i'll save from buying in a more expensive area i could always hire a security guard??

I've not heard of any trouble from there for quite a while now OxfordAlly.
There used to be a bit of trouble from the pub at the bottom of the road but now it is a church. Just behind the tram stop is a piece of waste ground. This is where the new shopping centre is going to be in a few years so you wouldn't have far to walk for a pint of milk ;)

I'm from dahn sarf (indeed spent 3 years in Oxford) and I live in the new Norfolk Park development. My southern accent hasn't gotten me any grief at all so don't listen to the siren voices above.

Originally posted by E-Man Groovin
I'm from dahn sarf (indeed spent 3 years in Oxford) and I live in the new Norfolk Park development. My southern accent hasn't gotten me any grief at all so don't listen to the siren voices above.

Norfolk Park already has a bad rep, purely for the fact that it's practically in shouting distance of Sheffield's "allegedly" most notorious estate, the Manor :loopy:

Originally posted by Rich
Norfolk Park already has a bad rep, purely for the fact that it's practically in shouting distance of Sheffield's "allegedly" most notorious estate, the Manor :loopy:

WTF is all that about? I take it you've been out for an afternoon session :loopy:
There's no point dragging the whole Manor/Norfolk Park/Arbourthorne/Stannington/Ecclesall (and whatever other estate we've covered over the last few months) debate up again.
OxfordAlly asked for opinions about 1 road and 1 road only. Ally mentioned in the first post that the other threads have been read.

Whilever we have people slating our estates just because of hearsay, our estates will always have 'a bad rep'.

Originally posted by vidster
WTF is all that about? I take it you've been out for an afternoon session :loopy:
There's no point dragging the whole Manor/Norfolk Park/Arbourthorne/Stannington/Ecclesall and whatever other estate we've covered over the last few months.

Ecclesall and Stannington aren't estates.

Originally posted by t020
Ecclesall and Stannington aren't estates.

Neither is Arbourthorne Road.

Neither is Norfolk Park. It's a 'development'. Euphemistic perhaps but there is a qualitative difference.

Originally posted by vidster
Neither is Arbourthorne Road.

True but you said Arbourthorne in the post I quoted, not Arbourthorne Road. :)

I live on Arbourthorne Road and it ius fine. it is kind of split in to 3 sections. the first near the tram stop is not very nice but it seems to get nicer as you go further up the road. I have bought my house. I couldn't ask for any better neibours than I have got. They are all fantastic and very friendly. I don't see anything wrong with this side of arbourthorne. i wouldn't live Dagnum Rd way though.

M

my son lives on the top half of arbourthorne road and he as nice neighbours. also does my other son who just lives around the corner from him we live near to them and our neighbours are hell

It's not a bad area - most of the people who slate it don't have much if any experience of the place and are going on what they've heard over the years. Sure it's had a few problems but most places have.

Originally posted by MarkB
I live on Arbourthorne Road and it ius fine. it is kind of split in to 3 sections. the first near the tram stop is not very nice but it seems to get nicer as you go further up the road. I have bought my house. I couldn't ask for any better neibours than I have got. They are all fantastic and very friendly. I don't see anything wrong with this side of arbourthorne. i wouldn't live Dagnum Rd way though.

M


I live on the middle bit of arbourthorne road, and its fairly quiet and ok on that bit. have to say though, the house prices round here are ridiculous - the house for sale at the top of arb rd near eastern ave is nearly 80K!!! thats absurd.....:loopy: The council quoted us about 22k to buy ours.....

I have friends and colleagues who live in the better parts of sheffield, and we seem to get less trouble than them - in the 5 years we have lived here, we have been burgled once (easy through a rotten old window!) and the car has been vandalised a couple of times - the side window was done a couple of weeks ago. Apart from the ocasional drug raid on a neighbour (how scary is that 'copter when its 40 foot above your house!?), its an ok road. everyone tends to keep themselves to themselves so i doubt an accent would be a problem - not unless you were about to start frequenting the local watering holes/wmc's!

so, for my twopenneth, its not bad - but the house prices are just silly for what you get!

sue:D

Originally posted by samsmum
in the 5 years we have lived here, we have been burgled once (easy through a rotten old window!) and the car has been vandalised a couple of times - the side window was done a couple of weeks ago. Apart from the ocasional drug raid on a neighbour (how scary is that 'copter when its 40 foot above your house!?), its an ok road.

:wow: :shocked: Sounds tranquil! :hihi:

Originally posted by samsmum
in the 5 years we have lived here, we have been burgled once (easy through a rotten old window!) and the car has been vandalised a couple of times - the side window was done a couple of weeks ago. Apart from the ocasional drug raid on a neighbour (how scary is that 'copter when its 40 foot above your house!?), its an ok road. everyone tends to keep themselves to themselves so i doubt an accent would be a problem - not unless you were about to start frequenting the local watering holes/wmc's!

so, for my twopenneth, its not bad - but the house prices are just silly for what you get!

sue:D

Wow :o That's more crime than i've witnessed in my life and i grew up on the Manor!
You must be extremely unlucky samsmum :(
My dad lives just round the corner and he's never had any trouble in over 10 years.

Originally posted by Strix
Well, exactly. If you want your windows bricked, you move that attitude right into the Arbourthorne and don't say we didn't warn you :roll:

I believe it could be arranged for your car to be barbequed too ;)

Well i certainly won't be moving into 'STRIX'S' area!!!:rant:

What about embracing cultural diversity! southerners are people too!

Originally posted by samsmum
I live on the middle bit of arbourthorne road, and its fairly quiet and ok on that bit. have to say though, the house prices round here are ridiculous - the house for sale at the top of arb rd near eastern ave is nearly 80K!!! thats absurd.....:loopy: The council quoted us about 22k to buy ours.....
sue:D

The house i was looking at had asking price of around 80K! and i thought it was quite good for what it was! but i guess i'm basing my knowledge on oxford prices, you wouldn't even get a caravan plot for that in oxford!!! Maybe if i went for the house i could just put in a low offer!

Does anyone know how fast/slow houses are selling in that area? heard its a slow market in sheffield at the minute!

hmmmm :confused: is a tough decision! thanks for all the info on the area. May look at some possibly more 'studenty' areas but it seems as though arbourthorne road isn't all that bad! maybe there's hope for me and the beautiful house after all!:rolleyes:

Originally posted by OxfordAlly
Well i certainly won't be moving into 'STRIX'S' area!!!:rant:

What about embracing cultural diversity! southerners are people too!

I'm not sure the Arborthorne is the best place to find people who 'embrace cultural diversity'

Just incase you hadn't noticed - I'm not from these parts either. And I only told you what you were asking for. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's your money.

Jeees. You can't help some people :loopy:

Hi Oxford Ally,
I agree with Strix. Don't move into the Arbourthorne! It's terrible! It's a troubled council estate with a shocking reputation. (I don't even drive through there...)

No-ones saying that southerners are not people... We're just trying to skirt around the idea that your "new neighbours" are sometimes the sort that appear on tv shows like "Neighbours from hell"/they have unruly kids with asbo's/they scream and shout at eachother at the top of their voices/if anythings at fault, it's YOUR fault/they are NOT culturally aware.

So basically if you swan in there and say "I bought this house cos it's cheap... Where I come from all the houses are £150k +" then they are unlikely to take it as though you're being wise about your money by getting on the ladder earlier, they'll think you are stuck up and resent you. These people don't think outside the box so a postgrad student with a "more desirable" accent is just waiting to get pelted.

Don't say we haven't warned you...

Originally posted by caprice
Hi Oxford Ally,
I agree with Strix. Don't move into the Arbourthorne! It's terrible! It's a troubled council estate with a shocking reputation. (I don't even drive through there...)


Have you turned into t020? He's well known for commenting on areas he's never been to. I expected better from you. :suspect:

Originally posted by Andy
Have you turned into t020? He's well known for commenting on areas he's never been to. I expected better from you. :suspect:

I'm glad you watch my every move Andy. If you had been watching carefully, you'd have noted the time that I came back in a taxi from the airport through Arbourthorne and also the time when I got off the bus a few stops early and got lost in the estate, trying to find my way out. Surely if you'd been watching me that carefully, you'd have helped me out. :suspect:

Originally posted by caprice
Hi Oxford Ally,
I agree with Strix. Don't move into the Arbourthorne! It's terrible! It's a troubled council estate with a shocking reputation. (I don't even drive through there...)



Oh dear me caprice, after reading this, I have to agree with Andy - how on earth can you comment on an area that you are unfamiliar with? Have you not read what people who live, or have lived, in Arbourthorne, (and for that matter, on Arbourthorne Road itself), have posted? Don't you think that local people have more of an insight into an area than you - who won't even drive through the area?!

Arbourthorne estate was built 70 years ago and completed in a 4 year period. The whole estate is undergoing phased improvements to bring council properties up to the decent homes standard.

Arbourthorne Road (between Eastern Avenue and Park Grange Road) and adjacent streets are currently receiving external works, including new double-glazed windows & new doors, plus repointing work and repairs to pebble-dashing, etc., (where required). In a later phase, the houses will have new kitchens, an upstairs toilet, a new bath, and central heating. Subject to separate funding being approved, external works will also see car hard-standings provided in front gardens, and new external walls. Take a look at Daresbury Road & Lichford Road on Lower Arbourthorne to see what an improvement these works are making to the look of the estate.

Arbourthorne is also subject to a Masterplan, which has just been approved by Cabinet. Discussions with interested parties and community organisations will shortly commence on taking the Masterplan forward. Of particular interest to OxfordAlly is the proposal to improve the playing fields at the rear of Arbourthorne Road, and turn them into a new park. If OxfordAlly plans to move to the area for a limited 3 years or so, it is unlikely that these plans will have come to fruition in that time, as it will first be necessary to complete the proposed demolition of the flat-topped houses on the opposite side of the playing fields. You are close to the Arbourthorne Ponds, where fishing is permitted. There is also the brand new Tiddlywinks Centre nearby (officially opened by the local MP only last Friday) and the newly opened Arbourthorne Community Primary School.

At the bottom of Arbourthorne Road, at the junction with Park Grange Road, is the new Beacon community church (formerly the Fellbrigg public house). A short walk from there is the listed, historic Norfolk Heritage Park, with the Centre in the Park (with a fantastic cafe providing midday meals at incredible low prices, meeting rooms, etc.), a brilliant children's adventure playground, some stunning views of the city, sports facilities, and it's a great place to relax (make a note to visit the daffodils in Spring). Park Grange Road provides a handy tram stop at the junction with Arbourthorne Road - so you are a 10 mins ride to the city centre. You are also close to bus routes on Park Grange Road and Eastern Avenue. There are local shops at the Northern Avenue precinct, and Manor Top.

I cannot comment on house prices, but £80k does not surprise me. Houses sell well on Arbourthorne, and there is always a demand for council homes on Arbourthorne. You do not see boarded up houses for months on end in Arbourthorne - the turnaround of vacant properties is very quick, such is the demand. It is not a "troubled council estate with a shocking reputation" as caprice claims, though, like any area, it suffers from unruly elements from time to time.

But then what I would know of the area compared to caprice? After all, she doesn't even drive through the area, whereas I happen to have lived just around the corner from Lower Arbourthorne for over 15years, and am proud to represent Arbourthorne ward on the city council.

However, OxfordAlly, you get to decide who knows Arbourthorne better - the locals, including myself, or caprice.

Red

My mother moved into her new house on Arbourthorne Rd just a few mths before I was born which was August 1936.
So I lived in the miiddle part of Arrbourthorne Rd, I think no 247.
There was a fishing pond over the railings at the bottom of our garden and a library just round the corner on Eastern Ave.
Nice to know the houses have lasted and are well sort after.
Good job the bombs during the war missd.
hazel

However, OxfordAlly, you get to decide who knows Arbourthorne better - the locals, including myself, or caprice.

I'm glad things aren't getting personal huh... Anyone would think
I was the only one who held this view :loopy:

At the end of the day, you must like it enough to stay there, which is fine by me. (If it was that much of a hell hole, why would ANYONE live there?!) I wouldn't want to live there, it doesn't suit my lifestyle and is not and does not have the location/area/clientele that I am looking for when choosing where to live.

Oxford Ally may well decide to move there, which would be fine by me. But if I were moving to a new area, I'd want to hear ALL the views, good and bad.

i think redrobbo was just trying to suggest that perhaps your opinion of the area isn't as valid as the opinions of the people who atually live there?

Originally posted by Andy
Have you turned into t020? He's well known for commenting on areas he's never been to. I expected better from you. :suspect:

You don't have to have lived in or even been to an area to make comment on it - you can make comment based on the opinions/experiences of others, news stories, crime statistics, etc. I've never been to Australia but I can comment there are lots of kangaroos there. By the same token, I've never been to Arbourthorne but I can comment there is a lot of crime there.

Originally posted by caprice
I'm glad things aren't getting personal huh... Anyone would think
I was the only one who held this view :loopy:

At the end of the day, you must like it enough to stay there, which is fine by me. (If it was that much of a hell hole, why would ANYONE live there?!) I wouldn't want to live there, it doesn't suit my lifestyle and is not and does not have the location/area/clientele that I am looking for when choosing where to live.

Oxford Ally may well decide to move there, which would be fine by me. But if I were moving to a new area, I'd want to hear ALL the views, good and bad.

Now you might see how easy it is to dig a hole just by expressing an opinion and trying to help someone out with your advice?

Excuse me! Before everybody forces each other to take sides here :mad:

I have not derided the residents of the Arborthorne, or Southerners, merely acknowledged the fact that the Arbourthorne is a tight knit community who find it easiest to identify with like minded people.

As the Arborthorne is not currently populated by either Southerners or Post grad students, integrating may be a little more difficult for OxfordAlly than perhaps e.g. a plasterer from Manchester :roll:

Where's Litha when I need her?

*disappears to PM land*

Originally posted by t020
Now you might see how easy it is to dig a hole just by expressing an opinion and trying to help someone out with your advice?

Got to agree... My opinion is my opinion. It'd be a boring and false world if we all said "Yes, the arbourthorne is lovely, its wonderful, I'd love to live there..."
I'm just saying that the Arbourthorne is somewhere that I would not want to live. I can understand why people want to protect the name of the area they live... I lived at Richmond for 17 years... It would take me 5 minutes to walk to the Woodthorpe Estate which then leads onto the Manor estate. For anyone moving to Richmond, I would happily tell them that the quiet, private cul-de-sac that I was brought up on is just a stones throw away from the notorious manor estate. One only has to wonder why our insurance premium for the home is so high...

Anyways... my opinion is voiced. Think what you want of me. I don't live on the arbourthorne, so don't listen to me if you don't want to... Just make sure you ignore the media/crime stats/vandalism/gangs of kids while you're at it.

I notice that the Norfolk Park development residents (BertieBasset, E-Man Grooving et al) are being v. quiet about this topic, despite the fact that their development is basically across the road from the Arbourthorne estate...

People disregard the less expensive Parklands development because it is close to the Manor council estate... but no one seems to mind that the more expensive Norfolk Park development homes are in close proximity to the Arbourthorne estate.


Lib1

Originally posted by Lib1
I notice that the Norfolk Park development residents (BertieBasset, E-Man Grooving et al) are being v. quiet about this topic, despite the fact that their development is basically across the road from the Arbourthorne estate...


I live at Norfolk Park. I've entered into this thread, although like E-man et al I haven't commented on the Arbouthorne area. That's because I don't live there, I've no experience of the area and therefore don't think my opinion would be helpful.

Originally posted by vidster
I personally dont think Arbourthorne Rd is bad at all.
I don't live very far from it and i spent half my childhood on the Arbourthorne. I think if you keep yourself to yourself, you will be fine.
I especially like some of the houses to the bottom end of Arbourthorne Rd.

have to agree with you vidster, arbour road isnt all that bad. it doesnt matter where you live you will always get the hooligan element of society. i was born on arbour road and moved to city road when i was four. got to agree that the view from the vulcan field over the city is astonishing especially now that the two towers blocks have gone

"I live at Norfolk Park. I've entered into this thread, although like E-man et al I haven't commented on the Arbouthorne area. That's because I don't live there, I've no experience of the area and therefore don't think my opinion would be helpful."

Living on the Parklands development, I also have no experience of living on the Manor council estate and so cannot comment on it... but this doesn't stop people from warning people off the Parklands development and citing crime stats due to its proximity to the Manor estate. I don't understand why the NP dev's proximity to Arbourthorne doesn't receive similar criticism.

Lib1

Originally posted by Lib1
[BLiving on the Parklands development, I also have no experience of living on the Manor council estate and so cannot comment on it... [/B]

So what are you doing on this thread. There are plenty of other places for us to have the Parklands vs Norfolk Park debate.

:loopy:

Originally posted by Strix
Excuse me! Before everybody forces each other to take sides here :mad:

I have not derided the residents of the Arborthorne, or Southerners, merely acknowledged the fact that the Arbourthorne is a tight knit community who find it easiest to identify with like minded people.

As the Arborthorne is not currently populated by either Southerners or Post grad students, integrating may be a little more difficult for OxfordAlly than perhaps e.g. a plasterer from Manchester :roll:

Where's Litha when I need her?

*disappears to PM land*

im here Strix :D
have been reading this thread. looks like people are twisting what ya was trying to say abit eh? missis

i totally agree with Strix that some people will resent a "posh" accent and the local scallys will find much amusement in bugging the "snob" on the street. i cant see where Strix was saying this will definatly happen but it is possible.
i live on viking lea and im sure its rep is about as bad or even worse than arborthorne. and im sure caprice and to20 would sooner risk their lives with a maneating tiger than venture up our road :hihi: and shall i tell you something it is the quietest road i have ever lived on. it is all very tranquil :thumbsup: i think me shouting my new puppy in is the noisiest thing.

its so tiring now reading the never ending threads slagging certain parts off specially when the slagger off'ers dont even live there and refuse to pass by. statistics show me that a certain few people on here are oppinionated pratts but i dare say in real life they are very nice people, but because statistics are usually so correct ill go with my first veiw of them :D

Litha
ps.. welcome to sheffield oxford, hope you settle in where ever ya go :thumbsup:

Hi OxfordAlly,

If you're looking for a nice place to live and for the 3 years you're in Sheffield I would buy a flat that Blundells currently have on the market www.blundells.co.uk It's in Sheffield 2 (S2) on the new Park Grange development build by Gleesons.

This development is very popular with both undergraduate and postgraduate students and young professionals. With the flat being a new build you'll have nothing more to spend on it. It's 3 tram stops from the centre of Sheffield and has terrific views across most of Sheffield.

I'm sure as other Norfolk Parkers will tell you the area is very well liked and very pleasant to live in.

The developer is selling new build flats like this for £118,000 so this at £95,000 looks like good value on the face of it.

Here's the link for 102 Park Grange Mount....

http://www.vebra.com/home/solex/refine.asp

PS - it's not mine! Tho' I'd buy it if I had the money.

If you bought that flat, you'd be my neighbour.

If OxfordAlly is looking to buy property at £80,000- then isn't £95,000 likely to be out of his budget?

I didn't bother to recommend Parklands to OxfordAlly (which is also home to students, postgrads and young professionals, BTW) because homes on the dev now start at about £88,000.

Don't tell me that you've entered the 'price isn't a problem' fantasy world in which t020 inhabits.

BTW- why are almost identical apartments on the NP dev so vastly separated in price? £95,000 vs £118,000 for basically the same type of property? NP dev folk, please explain...

Lib1

"So what are you doing on this thread. There are plenty of other places for us to have the Parklands vs Norfolk Park debate. "

Andy- I didn't notice you telling BertieBasset off for trying to sell NP dev property to OxfordAlly on this thread...

Typical- one rule for me another rule for the NP dev folk... ho hum...

Lib1

im sure none of this is relevent to oxford , this discusion can easily be resurected in the other thread :thumbsup:

I think Lib1 it's because you appear to continually be so objectionable and intent on igniting further arguments by slating off where others live at the expense of where your dwelling place is, an example of this is your quote below....

"I notice that the Norfolk Park development residents (BertieBasset, E-Man Grooving et al) are being v. quiet about this topic, despite the fact that their development is basically across the road from the Arbourthorne estate...

People disregard the less expensive Parklands development because it is close to the Manor council estate... but no one seems to mind that the more expensive Norfolk Park development homes are in close proximity to the Arbourthorne estate.


Lib1"

Other people on the other hand are constructively trying to help OxfordAlly find some accomodation that is suitable given what he's mentioned about himself and his circumstances.

The flat at £95,000 may be priced so seemingly cheaply because a quick sale is needed or because it was bought for much less and the seller just wants a profit. It may also be a different size to the more expensive ones.

If it's been up for sale for quite a time OxfordAlly may be bale to secure it for less than the asking price. Sometimes such pricing anomalies exist.





Originally posted by Lib1
"So what are you doing on this thread. There are plenty of other places for us to have the Parklands vs Norfolk Park debate. "

Andy- I didn't notice you telling BertieBasset off for trying to sell NP dev property to OxfordAlly on this thread...

Typical- one rule for me another rule for the NP dev folk... ho hum...

Lib1

Originally posted by BertieBasset
If it's been up for sale for quite a time OxfordAlly may be bale to secure it for less than the asking price. Sometimes such pricing anomalies exist.

Are you suggesting that the price of the flat may be reduced from £95,000 to £80,000???

Crikey ;-)

Lib1

No, but they may knock something like £5K off if the purchaser is in a good position, e.g. first time buyer etc. OxfordAlly may also decide to take in a lodger to help pay the mortgage, who knows?

An extra £10K-£15K on a mortgage each month isn't much.

It's a buyers market at the moment.

WHAT PLANET ARE YOU LIVING ON???

An £80,000 mortgage spead over 25 years with a 5.75% interest rate (less than average- the standard variable rate is 6.75%) is: £503.29 per month

A £95,000 mortgage at the same rate is: £597.65 per month

(see the Channel 4 mortgage calculator at: http://www.channel4.com/4money/mortgages/features/overpayment_calculator.html - remember to put £0 into the 'overpayments' bit)


THAT'S NEARLY £100 EXTRA EACH MONTH AND IS APPROX £30,000 EXTRA OVER THE 25 YEARS!!!

you can get mortgages much cheaper than the rates you've quoted, plus take into consideration the possibility of renting out a room.

The word "blunt" really doesn't do your communication style justice does it....

In previous threads some people have voiced concerns over some of the incumbent residents of the Manor, I take a different view, I'm sympathetic for them with someone like you moving into the area..... :rant:

(I'm sure T020 will have something to say about my upcoming message- but in this case it was OxfordAlly that wanted advice about an 'old build' in the first place...)

Why would OxfordAlly turn down a whole house for £80,000 and decide to buy a pokey two-bed apartment across the road for £95,000 especially when he may (according to BertieBasset anyway!) have to take on a lodger in order to pay the higher mortgage???

That's crazy talk!

Lib1

MOD: I'm sure OxfordAlly welcomes all advice & suggestions & is capable of making up his/her own mind about what's helpful & what's not. The topic is about Arbourthorne Road so let's get back to that & away from berating other users for giving advice.

Erm- my last message was on topic...

OxfordAlly originally enquired about buying property on Arbourthorne Road. BertieBasset suggested that he should buy a flat in Norfolk Park instead and I said that in comparison to this and due to the original budget that OxfordAlly stated, OxfordAlly would be better off purchasing the Arbourthorne Road property.

Your warning in this instance was unnecessary. When other threads have spiralled out of control and have turned into grudgematches, where were you then?

Lib1

Wouldn't it be nice to actually help someone for a change instead of these threads turning into a 'us and them' debate :rolleyes:

Maybe people with a chip on their shoulder and no knowledge of Arbourthorne Rd should just but-out and let the other people help :loopy:

Would Ally like any suggestions for alternative areas?

Originally posted by vidster
Wouldn't it be nice to actually help someone for a change instead of these threads turning into a 'us and them' debate :rolleyes:

Maybe people with a chip on their shoulder and no knowledge of Arbourthorne Rd should just but-out and let the other people help :loopy:

Vidster- I have friends that live on Arbourthorne Road (a nurse and an engineering graduate, btw) and last year, at one point, I was investigating buying a house in the area... so my opinion is valid and I have knowledge of the road. I haven't said a bad word about Arbourthorne and I have even recommended for OxfordAlly to purchase property there. He's seen a house that he likes and it is within his price range.

Get off my case!

Lib1

I am not getting involved in an argument about other parts of Sheffield which may, or may not, be better. I PM'd OxfordAlly after I first posted, and suggested he/she look at the thread again for latest information.

The people who know the area, especially those that live in the area or have lived in the area, are the views which count. The views of posters who do not live in the area (Ecclesall for some reason comes to mind), or who simply won't drive through the area, should, IMO, be discounted.

I and other posters have given our evaluation of Arbourthorne Road area, based on actual knowledge of the road and environs, so now let's just let OxfordAlly make up his/her own mind, and avoid this ridiculous slagging off that threads of this kind unfortunately tend to generate.

Originally posted by vidster
Wouldn't it be nice to actually help someone for a change instead of these threads turning into a 'us and them' debate :rolleyes:

Maybe people with a chip on their shoulder and no knowledge of Arbourthorne Rd should just but-out and let the other people help :loopy:

I endorse this view. Well put vidster. :thumbsup:

So are my views invalid?

I don't have a chip on my shoulder, I'm an ex-student and I've had to find accommodation as both a student and a graduate in this city. I have visited many areas of Sheffield and gone through the processes of making a purchasing decision based on what I found and my prior knowledge from working and studying here.

Originally posted by Lib1


Get off my case!

Lib1
A tad paranoid aren't we Lib1 :wink: I was referring to a few people.

Originally posted by Strix
Are you actually from Oxford Ally?
A southern accent will not make you popular in those parts either - difficult to hide really.

I couldn't agree with this Strix :( I know Irish people on the Arbourthorne, have heard Scottish people and i'm sure there are other accents on there as well :wink:

Originally posted by vidster
I couldn't agree with this Strix :( I know Irish people on the Arbourthorne, have heard Scottish people and i'm sure there are other accents on there as well :wink:
Yeah, they have adifferent reputation though Vid ;)
And it's the attitude coupled with the accent and student status that I suspect may give Ally the problem :(

As an outsider in Sheffield, I find I tend to get along just fine until somebody finds something out about me that they didn't suspect.

I'm in the middle of a natter in a sandwich shop, with a woman who knows what street I live on. We have been getting on fine for weeks, when she wants to know which house I live in. She finds out that I don't live in the row of terraced houses she thought I did, and all of a sudden I'm a 'them' and not an 'us'

Same happened as a student. I was working in a betting shop. Plenty of other students there (not popular beings), but nobody guessed that my days off were spent in a large educational establishment on Pond St. Anybody found out and that would be me suddenly getting the frosty treatment for a while.

Why? I haven't changed in those split seconds :confused:

Originally posted by Strix
Same happened as a student. I was working in a betting shop. Plenty of other students there (not popular beings), but nobody guessed that my days off were spent in a large educational establishment on Pond St. Anybody found out and that would be me suddenly getting the frosty treatment for a while.


I do know what you mean. I tend not to advertise the fact that I have been to uni to all and sundry for those reasons.

Mind you it was a few years ago and I now often find myself thinking..."flaming students" :thumbsup:

Perhaps if I swaggered about a bit more and advertised my advantages in life I would not encounter these changes of heart :suspect:

Rollox to that :mad:

And whilst I'm at it.....

People telling me the status of their pet - dad being a champion and how sucessful the breeder is. The natural response is 'oh, do you show?'

Jees! That's a great way to get your head bitten off to :mad:
Where do the double standards come from? How do they think the dog became a champion?

I could understand it if they objected to the whole circus enough to aviod buying a dog with such high credentials :roll:

I'm PMSL :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Poor Ally's going to wonder what happened to the thread!

Welcome to Sheffield, Ally :wink: You do know we're all bonkers don't you? :thumbsup:

Anybody going out on Saturday?

:hihi:

Originally posted by caprice
Hi Oxford Ally,
I agree with Strix. Don't move into the Arbourthorne! It's terrible! It's a troubled council estate with a shocking reputation. (I don't even drive through there...)

Ooh! Didn't stop you coming down here when you wanted me to host a Virgin Vie party and earn you some money though, did it?

Honestly, all these people slagging Arbourthorne off have probably never lived here and therefore what do they know? I have lived on Arbourthorne for nearly three years now and we never see a soul or have any trouble. However, I'm working for one of the contractors doing the modernisation on the other end of the estate and yes, there are some "undesirables". It's just like any other estate - it has good and bad areas and good bad residents.

Some people need to stob being so snobbish.

Would it be safe to say that Ally didn't watch Traffic Cops?

Or would I be stoned for bringing up the subject? Or am I now muddling it up with another estate :rolleyes:

here Strix our shop was on traffic cops, admitedly only for a second while the police chased somebody passed it :hihi:

:blush: our house too :shocked:

I wish I'd taped that episode, coz the mondeo that was stolen in Donny and driven up the hard shoulder of the M18 overtook the traffic on the way into Woodhouse & I suspect our car was the one that pulled out of the way of the police car :suspect: I'd just like to check :P

Originally posted by redrobbo

The people who know the area, especially those that live in the area or have lived in the area, are the views which count. The views of posters who do not live in the area (Ecclesall for some reason comes to mind), or who simply won't drive through the area, should, IMO, be discounted.

The people who don't live in the area maybe live elsewhere for a reason! The people who do live there aren't going to start slagging off where they live either. Everyone's view is valid and shouldn't be discounted. The person seeking advice is new to Sheffield - I've lived here all my life, as has caprice I believe - we've seen the local news and read the local papers. Places earn their reputations. As well as it being quite a rough place though, it's also unsuitable for the "typical" student.

Originally posted by t020
As well as it being quite a rough place though, it's also unsuitable for the "typical" student.


there are quite a few students living on arbourthorne road and round abouts here, as well as many oversea's new residents......not heard of any of them getting any trouble......you should take a wander round this area, its changed a lot!!

to the original poster - id take a drive around at various times of day to get feel for your prospective neighbours; it has quietened down a lot lately.....and we have a neighbourhood watch on the road, so if you need any personal alarms/window alarms/security intercoms/door chimes let me know!! same goes for anyone living on arbourthorne...drop me a pm. we (neighbourhood watch group) had a grant last year to buy security stuff for our watch, so anyone with elderly relis on the estate or who lives on the estate drop me a pm!

sue:D

Originally posted by caprice
It's a troubled council estate with a shocking reputation. (I don't even drive through there...)


That made me laugh, are we talking about Sheffield here or LA South-Central ?

Originally posted by t020
The people who don't live in the area maybe live elsewhere for a reason! The people who do live there aren't going to start slagging off where they live either. Everyone's view is valid and shouldn't be discounted. The person seeking advice is new to Sheffield - I've lived here all my life, as has caprice I believe - we've seen the local news and read the local papers. Places earn their reputations. As well as it being quite a rough place though, it's also unsuitable for the "typical" student.

t020 not aimed personally at you but, what annoys about this attitude, is this was the same thing I got from my London mates when I said I was leaving the smoke to live in Sheffield: "ugly fat birds", "rough, uncouth and violent people" etc. One blue-blooded, tall, blonde, public-school mate simply refused to visit me because he thought he'd get beaten up if we went out.

Now we all know that Sheffield is not like that, but Londoners have read the papers, seen the movies, heard the gossip and they think they know what the north is like. I told 'em that they were talking b0ll0cks, and I tell local people who are similarly knee-jerk about the less obviously gentrified areas of Sheffield the same thing.

Right sermon over. I gotta go. I've got a date...

It's a good point but a generalisation about a whole half of the country is going to be wrong, whereas a generalisation about a few roads that constitute an area of a city is more likely to be correct. The question - "Arbourthorne Road - is it really that bad?" is relative. Yes, it is bad compared to several other parts in Sheffield, IMO, but no, it's not bad compared to, say, LA's south central as nick2 joked.

OxfordAlly, I dont think your occupation will come up ... but you could do what I did when I was a post grad: say I work at the Uni. (Covers a multitude of occupations). Or say Im doing some research. (Both true). I usually said these things as when people asked me they had no idea what a postgrad student was. Good luck with your PhD if thats what youre doing, Im sad to say I abandoned mine ...

Also dont listen to the people who are prejudiced about certain council estates in Sheffield. The best thing to do, if you have the time and money, is to come here and visit the area, perhaps by sitting in a friends car for half an hour or so at different times of the day. There are worse areas than the Arbourthorne, my lovely partner lived there as a child, and his grandad lived there until recently. His grandad had lived there for most of his life and had never had any problem.

To add to the debate, I graduated in june and have been living in arbourthorne for 2 years, openly as a student: and have had no trouble what so ever.

The house is an ex-council and my neighbours have been very friendly and helpful since day one.

So as a student, I wouldn't strike any of the s2 area of my list, and am quite happy in the area 2 years on!

Originally posted by t020
Yes, it is bad compared to several other parts in Sheffield, IMO, but no, it's not bad compared to, say, LA's south central as nick2 joked.

The funny bit was where you said you wouldn't even drive through the area.

It made me laugh.

Originally posted by nick2
The funny bit was where you said you wouldn't even drive through the area.

It made me laugh.

I'm glad it gave you a chuckle.

We are contemplating moving into Sheffield, I have been looking for houses, but i dont know any areas really.

Our budget would be around 80k

what about number 435 ARBOURTHORNE ROAD? thats up for sale,

is that far enough up the street?
Cheers

hi i live on arbourthorne and i think its a good place to live i cud not think of anywere else to live i love it dont lis to people that dont live on arbourthorne how wud they no well its up 2 u but i have lived on arbourthorne for 15 years

As people have mentioned before, it depends where on Arbourthorne road you are living, some may find you fine but then again others may find you the target of repeated crime. Not to sound unpleasent but if you turn up with anything worth having and go flaunting it your likely to get it took off you in an unceramonious manner. As I say it largely depends what you are used to.

Another thing is that if you are from an estate you don't tend so much to have your stuff pinched but if you are a newcommer then that is a different matter, you would probably be ripe for a burglary

does anyone still live on arbourthorne road? or do they know who lived on their years ago in the number 400's. just need to know what they were called
can anyone help???????????
thanx

4 years since the thread started I've walked through arbour many a time, never once had trouble. I'd live there for the view.

80k is a bit expensive though, then and now.
Wonder how much the property is valued at now.
Did oxford ally ever move there?

i live on arbourthorne road bottom end towards norfolk park and i like it here its very quiet and i have good neighbours!!