Arbourthorne road? Is it really that bad? -

OxfordAlly · 12-06-2005, 14:41

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

Strix · 12-06-2005, 14:43

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

Plain Talker · 12-06-2005, 14:52

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

Strix · 12-06-2005, 14:57

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

OxfordAlly · 12-06-2005, 15:06

hmmm

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

Strix · 12-06-2005, 15:08

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

Captain_Scarlet · 12-06-2005, 15:21

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).

vidster · 12-06-2005, 16:28

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.

OxfordAlly · 12-06-2005, 18:24

Quote:

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!

OxfordAlly · 12-06-2005, 18:26

Quote:

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??

Strix · 12-06-2005, 18:27

Quote:

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

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

vidster · 12-06-2005, 19:25

Quote:

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

E-Man Groovin · 12-06-2005, 20:02

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.

Rich · 12-06-2005, 20:09

Quote:

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

vidster · 12-06-2005, 20:23

Quote:

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

WTF is all that about? I take it you've been out for an afternoon session

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'.

t020 · 12-06-2005, 20:26

Quote:

Originally posted by vidster
WTF is all that about? I take it you've been out for an afternoon session
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.

vidster · 12-06-2005, 20:28

Quote:

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

Neither is Arbourthorne Road.

E-Man Groovin · 12-06-2005, 20:31

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

t020 · 12-06-2005, 20:45

Quote:

Originally posted by vidster
Neither is Arbourthorne Road.

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

RunningFree · 12-06-2005, 21:57

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