A guide to living in Sheffield

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Being in Kelham Island, you have all kinds of amenities nearby and it is a very up and coming area in Sheffield so it is definitely the place to be.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I had problems with paint on my bathroom ceiling and it was sorted the day after I brought it up.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There were a bit of details that being the first to move in weren’t all that sorted and settled like the increasing of the rent at the tenancy’s anniversary and the posterior 1-month rent offer that wasn’t extended to previous tenants/any kind of offer or arrangement made, but apart from that all went amazing!

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Relatively Easy to Get Around: While there can be traffic congestion at peak times, Sheffield has a decent public transport system with buses and trams.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Living here has been a generally positive experience, largely thanks to the efficient and responsive management team.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The ongoing maintenance of the building and communal areas has been consistently good.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Living at The James in Sheffield has been a generally positive experience. The location is great – you're within walking distance of a good variety of local shops, restaurants, and bars, particularly around West Street and Division Street. There's also plenty of green space nearby, like Weston Park and the Botanical Gardens, which is perfect for relaxing or getting fresh air. Step outside, and you’re on a street that’s always buzzing – the tram glides past regularly, making it super easy to get anywhere in the city. Transport links are convenient with easy access to bus and tram stops, making commuting around the city or to the universities pretty straightforward. Bin collections are regular and well managed. The street itself is lively, , though there can be some noise on weekends from nearby bars. Step outside and you can grab some grocery from tesco next to Nando's or convenience shop anytime of the day or late night. The James really gave us that perfect mix of city energy and home comfort – definitely a place we’ll remember fondly. Overall, The James is a solid choice for students or young professionals looking for city-centre living with good amenities nearby.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management has been responsive to the issues I've raised, addressing them promptly. They typically acknowledge concerns quickly and work to resolve them in a timely manner. Whether it's maintenance requests or any other problems, they've been proactive in ensuring the necessary steps are taken to fix things. Communication has been clear and regular via emails and App which I appreciate.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how the building’s heating and cooling system works. It's not something that typically comes up during a viewing, but it’s been important to know the quirks of the system. For example, adjusting the temperature isn’t always straightforward, and there are certain hours when it’s harder to get the right balance. As for tips for a new neighbor, I'd suggest getting familiar with the building’s common areas and knowing where the nearest exit routes are, just in case. It's also a good idea to introduce yourself to others in the building early on—you never know when you'll need a neighbor’s help, and it's nice to build that rapport!

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

What’s great about The James is its location – right in the heart of the nightlife scene. So, there’s no need to wait around – I can dive straight into the action. That said, if I owned a car in the future, it would be more convenient to have parking a bit closer. The parking lot The James currently provides is decent, but I’d prefer something even nearer.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

One day, I had an issue with my window not closing one night, and it was quite late. I called Clive, a member of the maintenance team, and he answered immediately. He guided me through a temporary fix over the phone, and the next day, he came by to fix the issue completely. It was resolved quickly and efficiently.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is that, despite the area being close to nightlife and potentially noisy, the building is actually soundproof. It’s a great feature that isn’t obvious during a typical viewing. So, if you’re worried about noise, don’t be – the insulation does an excellent job of keeping things quiet inside. A tip for new residents would be to relax and enjoy the lively location, as the soundproofing ensures a peaceful environment inside your room.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is extremely convenient – just a short walk to both the supermarket and the tram stop. Although the building is on West Street, which gets quite lively on Friday and Saturday nights due to the bars and nightlife, my apartment faces southeast and not directly onto West Street, so it's surprisingly quiet and peaceful. This makes it a great balance between accessibility and comfort.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management responds to emails incredibly quickly, often faster than I expected, and they are always helpful and friendly.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known is to be extra careful with the apartment's finishes and walls. I put some things up on the wall which left marks, and a part of my deposit was deducted for that. It was a fair decision overall, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind for new residents.