Living in Hull offers you – and your family – a great opportunity to make the most of a community with a thriving culture and loads to do.
From stellar schools to a vibrant café culture, the city has a lot to offer anyone wanting to move to the area. Here are the top five reasons you should consider buying your next home in Hull.
It's officially a City of Culture
Hull was the UK’s City of Culture 2017 to reflect the community’s ongoing dedication to the arts and heritage. The award boosted the awareness of the city as being more than ‘just a port’. The award is only given once every four years to a city of importance to the arts.
Hull has produced many famous people over the years, from aviator Amy Johnson to poets like Philip Larkin. The City of Culture recognition carries on from the year of cultural exhibitions and performances through to today, so there’s always something interesting going on and a great community for creative people.
It has great schools for your children
A few years ago, the schools in Hull and the surrounding areas were struggling. After a huge effort, however, they’ve now achieved some of the best turnaround scores in the UK and offer a fantastic education path for your children.
For example, Kingswood Academy was put into special measures in 2015 after an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted report. Even last year, it achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.46 – but this year, in a remarkable turnaround, the score is 0.74. That means 74% of pupils achieve a grade higher than predicted when they left primary school.
The best-performing school, St. Mary’s College, has held the top spot for a decade, with a Progress 8 score of 0.85.
When your children are older, they won’t need to leave their hometown either! The University of Hull is an established institution offering a wide range of undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. This includes the Hull York Medical School, a joint educational medical programme with the top-performing University of York.
Brilliant regeneration and new residential developments
The city is dedicated to improving its public spaces as well as offering new housing developments that are affordable for first-time buyers or those on lower incomes.
In April 2019, plans for a £130m regeneration of Albion Square in the centre of the city were approved by the local council. Where several derelict department stores currently stand, there will soon be an ice rink, offices, new homes, and shops for the local residents.
The council operates a scheme whereby the funds raised through the Right to Buy scheme for local social housing tenants can be used by other local non-profit organisations as a regeneration fund for other properties.
This is just one example of the many residential regeneration schemes in place for the city of Hull and surrounding areas. The council is dedicated to reviving neglected areas of the city with new housing projects alongside commercial developments for residents to use.
It's the perfect combination of city and coastal living
An industrial port, Hull has historical significance. More than that, the shipping industry has shaped the entire city – and that’s reflected in the local architecture, too.
You can take a stroll along the sea front – and right into the city centre to enjoy an afternoon of theatre, cafes, shopping, and restaurants. You can view the busy goings-on of a vibrant port – and take some time out in East Park’s indoor wildlife area. Hull offers the benefits of both worlds: fresh sea air and a busy city with lots to do.
Affordable property prices mean more house for your budget
Buying a home in Hull doesn’t mean you have to make the difficult decision of city living in a smaller home versus suburban living in a larger property. Hull’s property prices are low: there are many properties available for £50,000, including some near the city centre.
The average house price in Hull is under £145,000 – and the recent regeneration in the city means an investment now could see future returns. Even in the last 12 months, the average price has risen 0.98% - or £1,387.
Ask a local expert for advice about living in Hull
Finding a property in Hull takes more than a quick look around the area. Talking to a local who knows the city like the back of their hand, and which areas will suit your needs the best, will ensure you find a great home to buy.
Your local mortgage adviser in Hull knows their stuff – and they’ll also be able to help you find the right mortgage deal and home insurances for your move, too. Contact us on 01482 470444 or fill out the contact form to arrange a call back.
Find our more about our Mortgage Advice service in Hull