Although I'd like to buy a house in Sheffield 10, they seem so expensive and there's always so many people bidding for them that it gets ridiculous. Even when you get the house, there's seems to be so much renovation and building work which costs loads on top.

It almost makes you worth considering a new apartment in the more decent areas of Sheffield (not necessarily in the City Centre but outskirts). All new and no building work to do, nice fitted kitchens, bathrooms. It's all there but...uh..management charges !!!!! so expensive each year ..forever !

So which is best ? Should I bid high, and renovate ? or go for apartmen living and pay the management fees ? Advice ?

Having just bought a terraced house in S10 after nearly a year of looking for a suitable property (i looked at new build houses, apartments, old terraces, basement conversions etc etc), i can honestly say that although the new build apartments look very pretty, I honestly can't see them (or their appeal) lasting. They're built cheaply & quickly for maximum profit, plus they have extortionate maintenance/management charges, which over the term of your mortgage would cost you an absolute fortune. Considering you can often buy the freehold on a teraced property in the sheffield area for just a few hundred quid, puts the maintenance into perspective.

Also, some of the new builds are built on the outskirts of the city, on relatively cheap land and in areas that you probably wouldn't ordinarily be considering (?). If you're specifically looking for a house in s10, would you seriously consider living that far out of town, when you're obviously looking for a certain lifestyle attached to the s10 area? I'm all for the development & regeneration of overlooked areas, but do you really think sticking a block of overpriced apartments on the outskirts of a relatively deprived area of the city actually makes any real difference to that area?

If i were you I'd hold out for a property you really want, in whatever area of the city that may be.

Keep looking ... go and look at lots of houses and lots of apartments. Even if they are slightly out of your range, go and look to get a feel of things. You will be a lot more knowledgeable about the market for your experiences.

Then think. Which ones can you imagine living in for several years?

Thanks for the replies guys. I have had a look round and I agree with a lot of what you say. I saw an apartment in the S10 area the other day and because it was in 'prime' S10 territory near Broomhill shops and coffee houses and bars and yet near to Botanical gardens for greenery and walks/jogging. But the price for this 2 bed room with living dining room was near on a quarter of a mill !!!! + management fees too ! Yet if you saw the fittings and fixtures, it was like a 5 star hotel. Would be interested in what everyone thinks about that.

Houses would be preferred but it's SOOOOO hard finding the right one and when you do, everyones after it, so you get in a horrible bidding war where you give as much as you think you can spare. And should you win, you always have in the back of your mind, 'did I over bid ?'.

Thoughts on the S10 apartment ?

Apartments may look attractive now but think of the future when either you, or worse still one of your neighbours, start having children. If it's you that's starting a family remember then the slightest sound will wake the slumbering infant and modern apartments are not renowned for their sound-proofing. If it's your neighbours, and this can mean above, below or either side, then imagine trying to sleep through their darling's early morning cries.

Yes but surely apartments aren't bought by families are they ? By the time a couple have there first kid, they're looking for a house.

apartments are only ever gonna be short term and provide a bit more security if money is tight.

I lived in an apartment in manchester for 6 months before I had to move out because of the unbearable amount of disturbance. Upstairs stormed around all night screaming at each other and next door could win a gold medal for loud s£x at all hours...and all for the bargain of £650/calander month....
I would go for a house every time as although there are still some noise issues (depending on your neighbours) it is considerably less than in a flat, and you avoid ridiculous management charges. I would also imagine a better return on an investment in a house as when you come to sell you will have a wider target market. A number of friends of mine have got small children in apartments as they found that once they had invested heavily in their apartment, they couldnt then make enough profit on a resale to buy a family home as the flat was no longer "new" and so many new ones are springing up for much the same money.
hope you find something that suits you soon!