It depends where you're from, if you're from a big international city then you might find Sheffield a little bit hard to get used to at first TBH. Although it has two unis and a lot of young people, it isn't really an outward looking, world city. If you already come from a small town then it won't be such a culture shock. Sheffield used to be an industrial centre and is still mostly a blue collar kind of place, apart from the west and south west sides of the city which are the rich areas and very leafy and nice. If your dad has a good job I imagine that is where you will live. A lot of people in Yorkshire tend to keep to themselves and are wary of newcomers, at least at first. Before you go try and listen to the Yorkshire accent a bit and tune into it, the Arctic Monkeys are from Sheffield so maybe listen to some interviews with them on youtube or something.
Sheffield is an unusual choice for an international job move, but should be an experience for you. The accent will take a while to get used to, as will the weather. It's quite cold and wet most of the time compared to london and the South East, which is warm and dry.
The city of Sheffield isn't that safe at night, as its experienced a lot of decline in industry and some elements of poverty and unemployment. It's near the Peak District and other really nice places though. It's a big city so you will definitely stay entertained, and Manchester is nearby. im assuming at your age u will be doing a levels, which is the same everywhere.
There's the accent to get used to for a start! It certainly isn't like the way the average British actor speaks but you'll get used to it. Yorkshire people pride themselves on being friendly but they also very much "speak their mind" too. You may well find any house you move into to be rather small.
17 is an awkward age to move, as I would imagine you haven't done any public exams, while everyone else will have done their GCSEs at 16. It's possible in the UK to leave school at 16 provided that any job you get includes training until you are 18, or stay on until 18 for A levels, either at school or in a local further education college. I expect the Sheffield City Council education department will be able to sort something out. So you might not end up in a school at all. Or dropping back a year to Year 11 to get some GCSEs might be a solution.
Sheffield is a typical northern English industrial city that was once famous for stainless steel, especially cutlery (Sheffield steel was the best!) though much of the manufacturing has gone now. It's built on seven hills so expect the odd sloping street! As always in an English city there are buses to get around on, and Sheffield has its city centre trams. At 17 you are at the minimum age to drive a car in the UK... LOL you might end up learning alongside Dad, as a US licence is only valid for a year in the UK and then you must pass the British test, which I warn you is a stiff one, and a good thing too with our narrow streets. Most people fail it first time because you have to be almost perfect - two tries at it is about normal. Taking some lessons would be a good move to prepare for it and get used to right-hand drive, even if you can drive already.
You will find almost all about the "nuts and bolts" of Sheffield from these sites:
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/...
http://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visi...
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduat...
http://www.shu.ac.uk/university/visit/
http://www.sheffieldweather.co.uk/
Sheffield can be foggy, cold and wet, with snow in winter, so be prepared. Most Americans think that is the climate of London - it isn't, London is warm and dry in comparison and hardly ever has fog.
You will also find some of the local accents difficult to understand so be patient. Nobody in Sheffield will sound like Hugh Grant, Julie Andrews, or (God help us) Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins.
You must not expect the locals to automatically understand your own style of speech and colloquialisms - this is a mistake that a lot of American visitors make. Be especially careful of using expletives (swear words); some of the "every day" ones in the USA could get you a good thumping in the UK, especially "motherfu**er" or similar expressions.
There are several reasonably decent "American to English" translation sites available through Google search. You should find and study at least three of these so that you understand the differences between your language and English (we NEVER say "British English", it's our language - the clue is in the name, so adding the "British" prefix is taken as patronising). You should also look up regional dialects too because Sheffield-speak may stump you.
Be prepared for most things to cost more than it does in the USA, even allowing for the currency exchange rates. Because we are an island we get ripped-off by almost everybody.
The people are normally very friendly and will make you welcome. The city is safe compared to many US cities (although you should avoid one or two obviously dodgy areas after dark) so you should not feel the need to out with any sort of weapon. In fact, carrying weapons (including pepper spray) is illegal in the UK and you can get into serious trouble for doing it; "Self Defence" is NEVER accepted by a UK court as an excuse for being armed.
The major advantage of Sheffield is that it is right next to one of the most beautiful areas of England The Peak District National Park which starts at the city's boundaries
www.visitpeakdistrict.com
According to a highly unreliable survey, Sheffield considers itself to be the 'happiest city in the UK'. No idea why:
