‘Hipster’ neighbourhood in divisive UK city named one of the coolest places to live

Hull has long battled a less-than-favourable reputation, and locals are no strangers to jokes at their city’s expense. It’s repeatedly ranked among the worst places to live in the UK, and was famously crowned the first ever ‘Crap Town’. But more than two decades later, opinions have changed — so much so that Hull’s HU1 postcode has been named one of the coolest in the UK.

According to the new list, Hull is the place ‘for real northern hipsters’, with a thriving cultural scene, indie cafes, clubs and vibrant street art. Its transformation has made it a popular place to live in Yorkshire, with young professionals flocking the city due to its affordable prices and proximity to major Northern cities like Leeds and York.

‘Forget its grim rep post Second World War bombing, Hull has now entered its glow-up era,’ reads the Sunday Times list. ‘The former fruit and veg markets and warehouses lining the city’s old marina are chock-a-block with independents, while its hipsterish dining scene is thronging with exciting offerings.’.

There are plenty of things to see and do in HU1, the esteemed postcode which encompasses the city centre, old town and Albert Dock. The area is home to The Deep, an award-winning aquarium and the city’s biggest tourist attraction. Visitors can explore its vast array of marine life, walk through an underwater tunnel, or relax in its café.

For history lovers, the city’s Streetlife Museum of Transport offers an impressive collection of vintage vehicles spanning a 200 year history. It’s located in the city’s old town, where you’ll discover cobbled streets and Stuart and Georgian architecture.

Meanwhile, the Ferens Art Gallery and The Humber Street Gallery are a must for those looking to soak up some culture. Looking for the best food in Hull? Try literally anywhere in Paragon Arcade 😍🤤🤤 #paragonarcade #hull #hullfood #hullfoodie #eastyorkshire #thingstodoinhull #hullshopping #yorkshire #yorkshirelife.

You can also find plenty of traditional pubs in the centre, such as Ye Olde White Harte, which was built in 1550. The historic pub is famous for its Plotting Parlour, a small, hidden room where royalists are believed to have met during the English Civil War.

There’s also the Paragon Arcade, named on TikTok as the ‘coolest’ place for food in HU1. Enjoy Asian street food at Salt And Pepper Club or brunch at Milchig. Whatever you fancy, you’re bound to find something. For those looking to explore outside HU1, the Sunday Times recommends a visit to the New Adelphi, an independent grassroots venue where the likes of Oasis, Radiohead and Fatboy Slim have performed.

The venue, which is on the edge of town in HU5, is where Hull’s own Housemartins signed their first record deal in its tiny gig room. The city is also home to a University of Hull, which has a great literary past and is where Phillip Larkin – one of the UK’s most renowned poets – who worked as a librarian for 30 years.

As for what locals think, several have defended the Northern city in a Reddit thread titled: ‘Is Hull really that bad?’. One user, @annemai, wrote: ‘I moved to Hull from London 15 years ago and not regretted it for a minute. Yes, like every place, there are good and bad areas.

‘People are friendly, and the cost of living is lower, plenty of open spaces for children and close to places of interest within easy travelling distance.’. Another thread titled ‘What is it like to live in Hull?’ sparked a wave of similar responses. One user, @mad-de, who moved to the UK to live in Hull said: ‘It’s a lot better than I expected.’.

Save if you ever fancy a visit to Hull #fyp#trend#travel#seetheworld#traveltok#travelcouple#visityorkshire#hull#eastyorkshire#hullmuseumquarter#museum#ukdaysout#visithull. They wrote: ‘I despaired when I heard I had to move to Hull. I gave it a shot for a few days, just to find out that it actually offers pretty much everything I’m looking for in a city.

‘It has an interesting and quite varied art scene. From independent music venues with good live music to street art, good museums and exhibitions.’. They added that the city is ‘affordable’ and you can ‘get a house or flat close enough to the city on a normal income’.

According to ONS data from November 2024, the average house price in Hull was £145,000 in November 2024, up 6.6% from November 2023. The average monthly rent also saw an increase of 10.1% from £570 to £627. The average price paid by first-time buyers was also higher than the year before, rising to £133,000 from £125,000.

Overall, it’s much lower than the national average house price of £286,144 and average rent of around £1,300. There are plenty of ways to get around the city. Hull has an extensive bus network, mainly operated by East Yorkshire Buses and Stagecoach, which provide routes both within Hull and its surrounding areas.