Residents reveal what it's like to live in Newland Park - Hull's richest street
It is one of the most expensive places to live in the city
It cannot be denied that Hull boasts many fantastic streets, roads, avenues and estates to live on.
With the area claiming the City of Culture 2017 title, as well as plenty of pretty coastal and countryside havens to pop along to in East Riding, it is no surprise people want to live here.
But what is it like living in one of Hull's swankiest neighbourhoods?
Newland Park is known for its attractive homes, close-knit community and open, leafy spaces - not to mention the price tag on the properties around there.
The top house price sale in Hull came in September 2017 when a home in the street off Cottingham Road changed hands for a whopping £620,000.
And there are many other properties in the area also keeping within the triple figure mark.
Hull Live reporter Anna Riley spoke to residents on Newland Park to find out just what is so great about the place.
'The street is beautiful'
Kevin Paulson has lived in Newland Park for more than 15 years.
He moved to the street with his family from Oxford for a job as a University of Hull engineering lecturer and says the street is "beautiful" and also enjoys the sense of community in the area.
"I’m originally from Auckland in New Zealand and really like geographically isolated places like Hull," said Mr Paulson.
"We chose this because it is beautiful and moving from Oxford, we wanted to live somewhere equally as beautiful, rather than taking a step backwards, so we picked Newland Park for it's uplifting environment and beauty.
"I really like the space here and the grandeur of the buildings and trees. We have lovely neighbours too and strong residents association here.
"There are lots of cooperative things that go on in the street. We have community meals and a summer party and winter party.
"We even host an apple press event in the back garden for people to come along and make juice or cider.
"There's a diverse community of people from all over here, with industrialists living on the street as well as well as medics and university people."
'We bought the house because it’s so quirky'
Karen Lutkin has in her Newland Park property for more than 24 years and says she picked her home because it's so "quirky".
Her property is made of wooden timber and decorated nicely outside with garden seating and plants, as well as a cute wreath on the door and plenty of garden space outside. She says she has no intention of moving.
"Lots of the buildings are quirky on the street, and we bought the house because it’s so quirky," said Mrs Lutkin.
"The lady that lived here before was also a Prussian spy in Paris, so there's definitely a mix of people on the street.
"Most people stay once they've moved here and I've no intention of going. I like the peace and quiet and how convenient it is to get into the city from here.
"There's a good community and we all watch out for each other and it's been nice to bring my children and grandchildren up here with the nice big garden for them out back".
'It's better than living in the country'
Stuart Johnson has lived in Newland Park for three decades and completely rebuilt his home in a very modern Grand Designs-esque fashion 20 years ago.
As well as living in a cool-looking home tailored to his tastes, Mr Johnson enjoys the quietness of living on the street.
"It’s quiet and better than living in the country as there are no farm vehicles to disturb the peace," said Mr Johnson.
"We might have the odd lawn mower and hedge trimmer going to make a bit of sound, but that’s it.
"I've also enjoyed being able to design my house the way it is. It was timber framed and asbestos clad. We pulled it down completely and started again 20 years ago.
"We've had traditional in the past and liked modern design, so decided to go for it".
'There's lots of blue plaques around here'
Sue Whittaker has lived in Newland Park since 1974 and has researched the area. She commented on the large amount of blue heritage plaques on properties around the street to commemorate famous people that used to live in the homes.
This includes Philip Larkin, Dr Eva Crane and JRR Tolkien, and Mrs Whittaker says the first houses were built here in the 1880s.
She likes the space and greenery of Newland Park and said: "I enjoy the benefits of living in a conservation area and like the space. I was brought up in the country and used to having open land and blessed to have space between the houses.
"We have a residents association and a large number join and we don’t have many vacant properties.
"There are three events per year attended by the same people who enjoy themselves."
'I like all the trees and proximity to the university'
Rachel Simpson is one resident who lives in a blue plaque property and moved in to the home of politician Leo Schultz more than a year ago.
She was unaware of the history of Mr Schultz, who successfully campaigned for Hull City Council to build bomb shelters in the Second World War, which helped save many lives.
Ms Simpson says it is interesting to live in the same property of such an esteemed character and really enjoys living in Newland Park.
"I like all the trees and the proximity of the street to the university, where I work as a lecturer," she said.
"There's a nice community feel about the place and we have a residents association.
"I lived in Scotland before and wanted to move to a similar nice environment with plenty of trees and green, so I'm certainly happy here.
"It was completely by chance that the house used to be owned by Leo Schultz, but it's nice having something interesting but we didn’t know about it before we moved in".
'I can’t think of anywhere else like this where you can get such a house for the money'
Peter Thompson is a university lecturer who moved to his Newland Park property eight years ago for work.
He was most impressed with the size and grandeur of his house for the price he paid for it, and also says the area is quiet with a nice neighbourhood.
"I've lived all over the country, as well as abroad in Sweden, and I can’t think of anywhere else like this where you could get such a nice house in such a good area for the money I paid for it," said Mr Thompson.
"The street is quiet, well established and full of nice houses.
"You would never know that we were so close to Cottingham Road living here, and it's great to live so close to the university.
"It's a good neighbourhood and people tend to stay and you know the people who live around you.
"The trees and area is protected and most people are sensitive about what they do to their properties - there's certainly no shocking bright pink paint jobs to be seen.
"My house is a good design but I still think I'll be spending next 10 years working the house as there's so much to do - I've already turned one of the seven bedrooms into a bathroom and aim to do more".
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