Suburb of Sheffield a magnet for families

Sheffield’s most sought after leafy suburbs in which to live include Greenhill, which is situated close to Beauchief and to busy shopping areas.Still with close proximity to the centre of the city, Greenhill has numerous picturesque parks and areas of woodland on its doorstep, and easy access out to the Peak District with all its attractions.There are independent shops, services and restaurants in plenty, and Greenhill borders Abbeydale Road with its own plethora of shops, and eateries of every description.Along with all the general facilities the variety of both size and style in its properties is another reason people direct their search for a home to this area.Linda Crapper, a director at Saxton Mee estate agents, said: “Greenhill is one of the good areas in Sheffield that are holding their value. It does have mainly semi-detached properties which are always popular and sell at realistic prices, and has the schools, shops, transport links that people look for.“We have seen price reductions in some areas for the first time, but it all comes down to the right location and school catchment areas, particularly for good secondary schools. Popular suburbs are holding up. Where we have seen reductions now it isn’t by much - just two to four per cent or so, but it’s indicative of how things are. Investors are off the boil at the moment and that impacts on some areas.”Ms Crapper blames Brexit and the uncertainty surrounding it for the general lack of confidence in the property market. “People are still hesitant,” she said. “And anyone who might be thinking of moving abroad is staying put to wait and see what happens.“The market does inevitably slow down as we get nearer to Christmas. There aren’t as many viewings for properties now but the buyers are still there, just in smaller numbers.”Sales are down 20 per cent on this time last year, she added.Friendliness is another striking feature of Greenhill and its people, according to visitors and new residents.Its community library is a real hub, run by volunteers as an associate library of the City Council. Among many other facilities, it offers a ‘People’s Network’ of computers free of charge.A recent farmers’ and artisans’ market raised £1,488 for the library, and it is celebrating current confirmation of an £8,000 Awards for All grant from the National Lottery Fund.This will fund a feasibility and planning study to further develop the library building for community use. Currently, well over 5,000 people visit at different times to use its facilities every month.Locals also claim to enjoy the ‘village feel’ of Greenhill and the fact they can use its range of independent shops, restaurants and services without feeling the need to travel further afield.There is an active tenants’ association that organises day trips to the seaside, for disabled people and children among others, bingo sessions twice a week, a children’s party at Easter and Christmas, two farmers’ markets in December and May. the festival and three pie and pea suppers each year.Properties currently for sale in the area, with Saxton Mee, include a three-bed semi-detached property with great views and a long rear garden on Westwich Road, for £265,000, and a two-bedroom flat for £120,000.A small new build development has three bedroom semi-detached homes at Meadowhead Place for a guide price of £225,000, with Blundells.Greenhill first became a part of Sheffield in 1934. It is now firmly ensconced as a busy suburb with a wide range of people choosing to make their homes there alongside families who have lived there for decades.