Hi my wife & I will be relocating to Sheffield and we have been looking at new houses. There is a DW build at Lodge Moore (old hospital) where we liked some of the detached houses (rather pricey).

Can anyone advice us on the area, the primary/secondary schools (no kids, wife a teacher), the council, and the overall location in respect to theft, security, local society.

Any info much appreciated

It's about as good as it gets really which is why the houses are expensive.

Schools are very good. Lots of local groups focused on the Hallam Society - they even have their own rather smart centre that has every sort of activity imaginable and you will find more about them in the annual "Hallam Citizen" booklet that they distribute annually to every home. Virtually no crime, and what bit there is tends to come into the area to steal nice cars.

The city centre is only 10 minutes by car at the weekend, but the Peak District is at the end of the road.

One thing you should know though - it's VERY cold in the winter, at least 2 degrees colder than the rest of the city, so its not for the nesh. There's often still snow around weeks after its melted from everywhere else, including the bits of Sheffield where people think it's high like Crookes.

Utterly, utterly glorious in summer though. :cool:

Tony has just about summed it up.

Good area, good schools, good countryside.

It does look a nice development too

Originally posted by Tony

The city centre is only 10 minutes by car at the weekend,



Yeah, maybe at 2am....

Yea... it is usually 10 minutes... except between 8 and 9 am when the roads are full of mothers from Ecclesall in their 4x4's taking their offspring to the private schools around the area. Then it's 20(ish) minutes.

Incomers ... PAH! :P


PS.. I've literally just done the drive from town to Lodge Moor in 8 minutes. Nothing like a bit of experience contrasted with ignorant comments.. eh T020?

Lodge Moor temperature update... it's -3 degrees outside at the moment, +1 degree when I left town. I said it was always colder. Brrrrrrrr.....

Originally posted by Tony

PS.. I've literally just done the drive from town to Lodge Moor in 8 minutes. Nothing like a bit of experience contrasted with ignorant comments.. eh T020?


My point being that the quoted 10 mins only applies to times like when you LITERALLY just did the drive. Any normal daytime hours, including Saturdays, take longer. Thought you lived in Fulwood anyway, Tony? Much nicer there than Lodge Moor, IMO. Faceless new developments Vs traditional housing with mature, beautiful gardens.... tough choice.

Originally posted by t020
My point being that the quoted 10 mins only applies to times like when you LITERALLY just did the drive. Any normal daytime hours, including Saturdays, take longer.

Check my original post - I said 10 minutes at the weekend. My drive that way home did demonstrate that it took LITERALLY 8 minutes to get to the shops on Rochester Rd on that occasion. ;)

Originally posted by t020
My point being that the quoted 10 mins only applies to times like when you LITERALLY just did the drive. Any normal daytime hours, including Saturdays, take longer. Thought you lived in Fulwood anyway, Tony? Much nicer there than Lodge Moor, IMO. Faceless new developments Vs traditional housing with mature, beautiful gardens.... tough choice.

Having lived in both Fulwood and Lodge Moor, I prefer Lodge Moor. Not all of Lodge Moor is "faceless new developments", in fact most of the houses are similar age to many houses in Fulwood. I find the neighbours slightly friendlier and more genuine in Lodge Moor, and it is also flatter than much of Fulwood (once you have come up the hill from Broomhill/Crosspool).

Fulwood is very nice, but I just find Lodge Moor that bit more convinient. Fulwood could be a bit of a nightmare come winter, when travelling up and down the hills which were often ungritted. Redmires Road tends to be quite good for being gritted, and is relatively flat(ish).

It is hardly worth disputing that it takes 10 mins to drive to Lodge Moor. Whether it takes precisely 10mins or not doesn't matter, the point is it is usually quick to get to considering how far in distance it is away from the centre.

Thanks for the feedback; at least we know the area is good (even if the weather is milder!!). What and where are the local supermarkets (Asda, Morrison, Tesco...) & best places to go out (restaurants, wine bars...).

Where is the nearest cinema complex, DIY store, good furniture shops (new house and all that).

All these usual questions and more!

All feedback appreciated

All the facilities are either in town or on the way to town. If you work on the basis that most places are only 10 - 15 minutes drive you won't go far wrong.

We tend to use Tesco at Abbeydale (for other reasons than nearness) and are trying to get into the habit of using their internet delivery service for bulky stuff, and the butcher and greengrocer for fresh food.

Don't get the idea that Lodge Moor is milder, quite the reverse, especially when the wind blows ... its only flatter because it's at the top of the hill going down whereas Fulwood is at the bottom going up. :D I'm looking out of my window at snow on the pavement right now.:wow:

PS.. for T020's info, I live on the cusp of Fulwood / Lodge Moor. Officially it's Fulwood, but I always say it's Fulwood in the Summer, Lodge Moor in the winter. Brrrrrr :)

Lodge Moor - love the place! I'm down the road a little in x-pool, but we reguarly go out there either to have a meal at the Three Merry Lads - another plus, or to walk/cycle/kite fly etc....

Excellent butchers in x-pool, and good veg shops as well.

Close to good local schools.

It is cold though, and does get the snowy.

Crime wise - well I don't think anywhere's safe these days in terms of property crime.

Next question - do you know about selling/buying houses in Sheffield, and the ridiculous system operated here?

Forgot to mention - Thyme in x-pool is probably the best restaurant in Sheffield IMHO.

You lucky bugger those new houses in Lodge Moor are lovely.

I went for a drive round when they were first built just to torture myself for a while! :D i really need to get a life.

Tas 1,

Thanks for the info, I am currently a home owner in Widnes (bought a new Barretts house 6 years ago) where I am relocating from. David Wilson at Lodge Moore do not want to participate in a part exchange, which is making life a bit more difficult.

In response to your question I have no idea about Sheffield house buying policies, please elaborate!!!

Bapi
I moved to Lodge Moor just before Christmas. Originally lived in Penistone about 14 miles north so I didn't move as far as you're intending. I have to say that I moved under duress (the wife wanted the move but I didn't) but I really like the place. I live about 500yds from the DW estate and the area is very clean and quiet, crime & vandelism free and best of all, right on the edge of the glorious countryside. There's a small row of shops on Redmires Rd (500 yds away) which has Post Office, Greengrocers, Newsagent etc. For anything bigger, you're going to have to drive to Crosspool (about 2 miles) for Spar type shops and takeaways etc. There's a couple of play area's if you have kids, one behind the DW estate and Spider Park, just up the road. A couple of pubs are very good, 3 merry lads & ???? across the road from it. If you drive past the DW estate and the pubs, the road ends at the Redmires resevoirs, lovely walking and cycling country. Lots of good shops in city centre (John Lewis) and fashionable designer shops about 3 miles away (Eccleshall Rd - cafe society area). Cinema's.... There are multi-plexes around but there is a gem of a cinema called The Showroom, which is an indepent cinema concentrating on non-hollywood fare. Theatres - a couple of top class venues (Crucible & Lyceum) that get their fair share of rave revues.
As for buying in Sheffield, it can be a complete nightmare. We ended up staying with parents for 6 months as the house purchase went through. You have to be in a very strong position (your house sold) and then prepare to outbid people way over the house price. We looked at one house up for £275,000 that sold for £315,000, and that is not uncommon. Your best bet is actually to buy a new DW house. That way you'll avoid all the gazumping that goes on. I could go on .......
If you want any more info feel free to ask.

Regards

Col

PS. The locals are also very friendly. I come from Cheshire myself (but don't tell anyone else :)

Cols,

Thanks for the reply, but please feel free to continue the more information for us newcomers from Cheshire the better. We are intending to buy a new DW house for some of the reasons you have identified but they have yet to confirm a price (~£430 - 450,000) for the property since it is not built or on the market.

What is council tax like in the area? If all goes well we should be moving in this Christmas.

Thanks again for the feedback the more information the better.

It's the sportsmans opposite! And the kite flyers go out there at the weekends.

I'd buy new if you can from that estate - we went £25,000 over the asking price - it's really common in that you start at the asking procie, then get about 2 weeks of viewings done, then it goes to close of bids when typically it's be a about 10 -20% more, and preferences given to cash/first time buyers).

Archers in x-pool are good, as with them they'll let you out bid, rather than do this silly close of bids thing.

Once we were even the highest on a house, and I was a first time buyer, with mortgage agreed, and.... Went to someone else.

Originally posted by Bapi
What is council tax like in the area?


More info can be found here

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/facts--figures/sheffields-budget/how-sheffields-council-tax-compares

At that price you will be in band H, which is about £2300, but dont forget 2004/5 rates are likely to be 6% higher

Originally posted by Cols
I come from Cheshire myself (but don't tell anyone else :)


Originally posted by Bapi
the more information for us newcomers from Cheshire the better.

Mass exodus from Cheshire? what is this? I suppose it dont have the same catch now Posh and Becks have moved out.

Only joking, hope you get sorted Bapi and Cols you can be an adopted Sheffielder;)

Ps I have a stone in my garden if you guys are interested that has "Wirrell Way" inscribed on it (previous owners were from Cheshire) Free to good home, it will remind you of home:thumbsup:

Originally posted by mikey
Mass exodus from Cheshire? what is this?

<*cough*> I'm from Cheshire too! <*cough*>

Nomme

Although I'm from Cheshire (Hyde, just the other side of Glossop) my wife is a native (of Sheffield). Hope this makes amends.

Col

Originally posted by tas1
Archers in x-pool are good, as with them they'll let you out bid, rather than do this silly close of bids thing.


Doesn't this result in people hovering nervously in Archers' office at 12 noon on deadline-day, all giving each other the evil-eye, ears clamped to mobiles and inching up by bids of £500 a time in some cruel game of brinkmanship??

Ive recently been looking at the new apartments at lodge moor. Having not lived in an apartment before, I worry about noise from other residents, does anyone know if this is a problem?

I used to work at the old lodge moor hospital

all I can tell you is that lodge moor is one of the most sought after living areas in sheffield

only draw back that when it snows in sheffield its a bugger to get to even by car!!

Originally posted by Bapi
Cols,

Thanks for the reply, but please feel free to continue the more information for us newcomers from Cheshire the better. We are intending to buy a new DW house for some of the reasons you have identified but they have yet to confirm a price (~£430 - 450,000) for the property since it is not built or on the market.

What is council tax like in the area? If all goes well we should be moving in this Christmas.

Thanks again for the feedback the more information the better.


I'm from Cheshire :D
Lodge Moor is a nice area, but it feels a bit 'out of area' when you compare it to affluent suburbs with a closer proximity to the city such as Ranmoor and Fulwood.
Depends whether you want more of a rural feel as it is literally at the end of a side of the city.
It's also slightly more diverse than the areas mentioned above, due to the new development. Having said that, I must say the kitchens are fab in the houses built there.

Good luck :D

Starchild,

My wife is also besotted with the kitchen come breakfast room come family room. I believe this was one of the main aspects for purchase. My sanctuary will be the study room. We have placed a deposit on one of the plots so the commitment has now been made.

Originally posted by DannyBoy
Doesn't this result in people hovering nervously in Archers' office at 12 noon on deadline-day, all giving each other the evil-eye, ears clamped to mobiles and inching up by bids of £500 a time in some cruel game of brinkmanship??

Nah - in our case it just reduced down to two bids, and that was it. But at least we had the chance to go a bit higher rather than just guess a number and hope - once we were the highest bidders, and first time buyers, and had sold our house (mortgage had been guarrenteed on my sal alone hence we did quailify for first time buyer), and still didn't win it!

I was in France during the negotiations, so all I had was lots of texts from OH asking should he carry on bidding....

We are very close to reserving a property on the DW estate in Lodge Moor. With 3 small children we were keen to find out how big (or small) the gardens are (4 bed detached). The Sales Advisors don't have any information, therefore, wondering if anyone has any info on this. Also, what is the estate like for children, it looked pretty good, however, useful if anyone has inside knowledge.

I understand that the estate is very good and the local school has quite a good reputation. I know a couple of families with young children who moved there and are v happy. However the gardens are pretty small!

Bapi,

I just moved into a 5-bed DW house at Lodge Moor. We decided to after ages looking at older houses (we weren't as keen on the idea of a new build), but all the ones we saw were really expensive, and all had some problem. I still can't believe that you can spend 1/3 million for a house with no garden, or no parking etc. So we went for DW, and are really really in love with the house, despite several stupidities on the build quality and attention to detail.

We moved from Sheffield anyway, so knew the area a bit. I was bit hesitant about being "so far" away from the town, but in fact it isn't as far as it seems from its rural outlook, and my commute time hasn't changed even though we lived in Hunter's Bar (which is much closer).

Regarding buying a DW home, all in all it is much easier that bidding on an old house but there are a few pitfalls. As you know there are two options.

1) Movemaker/Part exchange
2) Selling your house yourself and presenting as a cash buyer.

If you are confident about finding a buyer for your house (and you are going to need to find one eventually whatever scheme you use) then I would advise that you sell your house yourself. DW offered us a part-ex, but if you accept either movemaker or part-ex you miss out on any incentives (which when we moved were stamp duty and free carpets, which amounts to an enormous amount).

We were confident enough that we could sell our house before DW finished the new one that we put a deposit down before even putting our house on the market, but still had sold it, completed and moved out before the new one was ready. (Everyone I know up there was delayed by some weeks at least). This is clearly a bit of a gamble - if we had not sold in time, we would have had two mortgages running. But equally, by doing it this way we maximised how much we got for the old house (given the steadily rising house prices) whilst still paying the 2003 price for the new one. It clearly depends upon your situation, but if you take our example, if we had used the part-exchange we would have lost stamp duty, carpets, AND 1/4 of the final selling price of the house over the valuation (and every house goes over its vaulation in Sheffield, AND David Wilson exerts influence to get a lower valuation anyway). This would have amounted to nearly £20 000 lost.

So if the house you want is not near to completion, and your house is on a road where the houses sell quickly, then you might want to think about just walking in and putting down the £1000 deposit and securing your house! But remember that you will need 5% deposit at exchange of contracts which will be 6-8 weeks later, which without selling our house was a real stretch.

Sorry for the length of this email. I hope it might be helpful. We really love living there, and can't help evangelising about it!

Well we tried to buy a house a Lodge Moor. Followed DWH advice to have our house valued by 2 x estate agents. One came around on Wednesday the other arranged for Friday morning. Tidied up the house and took time off work on Wednesday, received a call from DWH on Thursday to say a cash buyer is looking at the house we were hoping to buy and was due in on Friday. Well what time is this new buyer due in I enquired as we may have our valuation results before then. Don't know was the reply and then they went ahead and cancelled the second valuation and never bothered to tell us. We thought another house might be of interest and we thought go ahead anyway with the valuation, and took more time off work, obviously no-one turned up. What is the housing market like, when a company makes it clear they don't want to sell you a 400k property!

Can't quite get my breath at the attitude of DWH. Anyone else had problems!

Senny,

Thanks for the mail extremely informative, we have bitten he bullet put the £1000 holding fee on a 5-bedroom property, which should be complete by this autumn, no completion month committed let alone date.

DW would not offer us the option of a part exchange. As with yourselves we received a discount equating to the stamp duty but they refused to include carpets.

We are moving to Sheffield therefore know very little about the area, but from the information received believe that this estate is good & the property will hold it’s value.

We also considered buying older houses but eventually resided to getting a new one.

Just for information what sort of difficulties did you face with DW?

Once the contracts are exchanged in a few weeks we will be putting our house on the market and hoping that events and exchanges go to plan.

Bapi,

I have to report that we have only had pretty minor problems with DWH so far (though I am not surprised that others have had worse - sorry to hear of your problems, Tee-Ann).

They are a large company, and even though you deal with one or two seemingly helpful people at the office, inertia means that it is very difficult to influence anything.

This is an example of the worst error that we have experienced so far; we did not want the fitted wardrobes, and so got some money back. We were visiting the site every weekend, and noticed from an early stage that a stud wall for the wardrobes had gone up. So we mentioned it. And were told everything was ok. We mentioned it every week for months, and were always told that everything was in hand. And then the week before moving in, all the wardrobes were fitted. Which had to be removed, and I am not happy with the finish after removal - you can still see the holes!

Apparently they are going to fix everything, but I don't expect to be a priority.

There are endless little flaws, again which they should be fixing. We have not had any leaks or major disasters, but I have heard of someone who had no connections behind their electrical sockets (they had plastered without wiring up)!

I don't know whether my examples suggest that you should watch things closely (difficult from Cheshire) or not bother because it made no difference in our case, but these are our problems.

A colleague of mine has been in since the start, and when I put the deposit down, he regaled me with cowbot builder stories, poor finish, radiators in the wrong place, etc. So I had quite a low expectation of the build quality, and mainly wanted to live with the views, etc. And I have been surprised by how acceptable most things are. But don't expect perfection (just complain until you get it!)

Im just down the road is crosspool too, but they heva are great facilities for kids, like the hallam football club, church groups, and great ouitdoor activities which are five mintues down the road in the countryside, climbing on the crags etc.. really nice area.. great shops near by, including take aways,hardware shops, and grocery stores, as the many pubs and restuarants. :) really nice area overall..