This might seem like a strange post, but I wonder if anyone who's had experiences of living in both Sheffield and Newcastle (or perhaps other Northern cities) might post their views on this?

I studied as a postgrad and then worked in Sheffield, and loved the place immensely... only if I'd been more conscious of this I'd have stayed and not moved to Newcastle for a better job :/

I've been here a couple of years, and despite the similarities to Sheffield, a renowned for friendliness, great gigs (mainly indie for me), opportunities for danding Salsa, Jive etc, proximity to places to go walking (not quite up to the peaks), a folk scene (discovered in the wonderful Fagans of Sheffield)... it just doesn't feel like home. Kind of ironic as I grew up in Durham.

I've noticed a couple of people on the board have lived in both places, one particularly negative about the nightlife here, but aside from wondering quite how those out on the Quayside on a Friday could possibly be a generation or two from those who built a 'great city', I've not had any trouble or animosity in the place - there's just something I can't describe that Sheffield has.

After meeting up with some friends in Sheffield the other week I was tempted to sell the house and move back to Crookes/Crosspool and work out the job thing later (I'm quite lucky as I've no dependents), “when I’m sitting in Bole Hill park looking at the sun going down over the peaks I’ll know I’m home” I announced, after surprisingly only one drink. Someone commented 'oh dear. he's in love.' :/

Any of this sound ridiculous to you regulars, or can someone give me some foundation to my belief in there being some subtle ethereal wonder to Sheffield and it’s people, both born and imported.

Thankyou

Robin,

I don't think you are alone. My girlfriend and I only live here (from Cambs originally) because she had briefly lived here before and fell in love with the place. Thus, as I work from home and can be anywhere in the country, she specifically applied for jobs in Sheffield so we could live here.

Since living here I've heard the cliche "biggest village in the country" a few times and can understand exactly what is meant by it. I think think hills add to this atmosphere as well as they serve to divide areas up. It's actually a weird place because it feels so small yet the population exceeds 500,000. It certainly feels a lot less threatening than Manchester where I went to University.

I'm sure if I really thought about it, I could write something more insightful but that's it for the moment!!!

We met here at University, and returned after a seven year exhile.

It prompted me to start this thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39649) where it looks like there are loads of people who share this sentiment :thumbsup:

DT77, Yes, I used to visit my sister in was at uni in Manchester - it seems like a great place to study, but I found any increased diversity culture is lost by an increased urge to keep your head down, and few of her friends fancied staying there. Concur with the Sheffield 'big village' description, have heard this used by both native and non native residents.

Like Strix, many friends left Sheffield for a few years and then returned, all during the time I was there... I may well end up just one more doing the same. Looking at the poll, I hope those who've lived there for many generations don't mind the influx... and that the community doesn't suffer from this.

It is great to hear from people who have moved to Sheffield and can't quite put their finger on why it's a great place to be. I live here in Sheffield and also Copenhagen in Denmark. (half and half) Copenhagen is not unlike Sheffield and I think it is not only the people that make a place but also the location itself. Both are keen cycling cities and both have a sense of safety you don't find in some major cities.

I like Sheffield and Copenhagen so much that I am weaning my partner, first to Sheffield and then to both here and Copenhagen. Wish me luck

I come from the North East, lived in Newcastle for a bit, moved to Sheffield.

Totally depends on what you want.

Newcastle good:
1. Fantastic city center. Newcastle IMO has one of the best city centers of any UK city. Just walk down from Grey's monument to the Quayside. I went to New Years on the quayside a few years ago and it made Sheffield look like Barnsley. I thought poor Sheffield.
2. Near the Coast.
3. The Metro (like the Supertram could be)
4. Close to the deserted Northumbrian coast and hills.
5. Wicked night life.
6. Bags of character in the people and the place.
7. Where I'm from.
8. The city seems to have vision.

Newcastle bad:
1. You have to drive to get to the countryside.
2. Expensive to live in the nice bits, Would you want to live in the bad bits.
3. Lack of jobs?

Sheffield Good:
1. In the Peak district wahhoo!!!! Biking everyday of the week.
2. Does not feel like a big city.
3. In the center of the UK.
4. Nice cheap places to live and not much crime.
5. Green green green.
6. Where I live now.

Sheffield Bad:
1. The Peak District does feel a bit suburban to me.
2. No Jobs!!!
3. No vision from the Council what so ever. (I am afraid the retail quarter and Peace gardens do not really get my goat).
4. No stong character like Newcastle, not that it has not got a soul just it's not as loud.
5. Miles from the sea.
6. People still see Sheffield as from the M1, looks bad does'nt it?

Funny Sheffield is now really nice because it is so green but it has no jobs. It used to be dirty but lots of jobs.