When I tell people where I’m from, I’m often asked “What’s it like living in Grimsby?” I think everyone expects me to go on about how terrible it is – after all, Grimsby has a bad reputation.
It’s always been the butt of the joke, but after appearing on Channel 4’s ‘Skint’ and being the punchline for a certain film starring Sacha Baron Cohen, it’s been thrust into the limelight for many an unfavourable reason!
But what’s it really like living in Grimsby?
Honestly, living in Grimsby is like living anywhere else in the country. It’s got it’s good areas and some not-so-good areas. The job market is a little sparse, and some the jobs available don’t seem to have caught up to the time we’re living in. For example, you’ll struggle to find jobs in digital marketing. They definitely exist, but they’re few and far between (and often already filled).
Despite the job prospects not being ideal, I still think it’s a great place to live and wouldn’t like to leave the area.
For me, the people make Grimsby. They’re weirdly proud of where they came from (most people you meet are willing to tell you how awful their hometown is, but Grimsby people tend to be the opposite). It’s worth mentioning they’re a friendly bunch too. They’ll chat to you at bus stops, in the queue of the chippy, they’ll stop you and tell you your baby is cute, or ask where you bought your dress. There’s a certain brand of friendliness only Grimbarians possess, and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll notice it’s lacking everywhere else.
* SALT exists—to provide a safe, respectful space for faith-filled dating in today’s modern world.
Great things about living in Grimsby
Grimsby is famed for its fishing industry, so it stand to reason that they have the best fish and chips in the country. I’m not actually sure if there’s any official award that confirms that, but I feel my opinion alone should be enough.
If you’re thinking of moving to Grimsby, I promise it’s worth it for the chippy teas alone.
Other positives are that housing is cheap. I mean, unbelievably cheap. When I chat to my friends down south, they’re having to scrape together all the money in the world to buy a tiny house with no roof and no running water (okay, I’m exaggerating), but in Grimsby you could easily get a decent sized family home for £150k.
Aside from the nice people, the great fish and chips and the cheap housing, there doesn’t tend to be such a fight for getting into certain schools either. I read about ‘postcode lotteries’ in the rest of the country, where people who live next door to their preferred school don’t get in and have to get four buses and train to their allocated school. You don’t really get that in Grimsby. There are lots of schools and they’re all mostly decent. I’m not saying some parents aren’t disappointed when it comes to admissions, but there are far fewer problems in this area than anywhere else.
Grimsby UK and Grimsby Canada are two different places
Grimsby must have always been good, because some settlers in Canada made their own Grimsby over there. It’s flattering in its own way, but mostly inconvenient because Google always thinks I want to order from take-aways in Canada. I’m sure they’re very lovely, but the waiting time is too much, when I realise at 9pm I haven’t eaten since breakfast!
So if you’re looking for anything related to Grimsby, always stipulate which one you mean, or you’ll be waiting 6-8 weeks for your curry.
‘So should I move to Grimsby?’
If you’re wondering about moving to the ol’ town of Great Grimsby, then you’ve probably got a good reason. Nobody just decides to come to Grimsby out of the blue, so I’m guessing you’ve considered it. If a job or family commitments are tempting you to move up this way, then I reckon it’s worth giving it a go.
If you’ve got a young family, then that’s even better. There’s plenty to do in the area for kids (although not a great deal for adults). The housing is cheap, the beach is ten minutes away in Cleethorpes, there’s lots of nice food, and the people are lovely. Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh up the pros and cons, but I’ve always lived in the area and I always plan to. I was even quoted in the Guardian article (still banging on about fish and chips).
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What’s the Lovett Road area like in Grimsby?
I’ve not lived in the Lovett Street area myself but growing up have been to friends houses round there and it always seemed nice. I can’t vouch for now, but back when I was at school (about 20 years ago) it all seemed fine and I think you can get a lot for your money price wise. Sidney Park is nearby and it can be quite nice to take the kids there on the weekend (if you have some) and there used to be ducks when I was younger but I’ve not been for ages. Hope that helps! I run a local mums group on Facebook if you want to join and ask in there? Someone might be able to help so here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/370259120455363
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Thinking of moving to Grimsby, not sure what the exact area is called but do you know what it’s like near Franklin College? Seen somewhere to rent close by that.
I think it’s pretty nice near the college. There’s probably quite a lot of foot traffic from the college kids if you’re very close but I used to go to Franklin and the area felt safe. I’ve not lived round there myself.
Hi, would you say Grimsby is a good place to retire ? Thinking about it as it’s close to Cleethorpes about half an hour to Mablethorpe etc been looking around the Abbey Road area if this is a area you might might be familiar with ? Like you say properties are very reasonable it would appear ?
Abbey Road properties are really beautiful, it’s a lovely area! I personally think it’s a good place to retire but it depends on your needs. It’s close to the beach and other lovely Lincolnshire villages, so if you’ve got a car the it’s ideal – especially for the cost of living.
Hi, thank you for the reply regarding retirement in Grimsby your comment was encouraging because it’s not a area we are familiar with apart from one weekend at Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes. I didn’t even know Cleethorpes and Grimsby were in such close proximity to each other (we are from the Midlands that’s our poor excuse) but now we do 😀 and looking forward to discovering this part of Lincolnshire in greater detail and retirement if we’re allowed to ? 6 Grandchildren to consider if you understand us ?
Hi I’m thinking of moving to Grimsby near Phoenix House think that’s on Harold Street, what is this area like please as I’ve got children.
I’m thinking of moving to Grimsby but where would you recommend, that is, for example… the Hove, not the Brighton ends? the Kensington not the Brixton side? Etc etc. I know Grimsby is a town (Google says “Fishing port in England”) , I actually live in a town but I hope that paints the picture that I’m trying to live in the snobby sides of another town.
Please be bluntly honest, so far Grimsby its sounding like I need to pack my bags and I love that! but I need a reality check. I’ve been wanting to move way way beyond London into the North sides of England for a very long time. I’ve moved a lot around the South (Roughly starting from London tall the way to the end) and I’ve gotten lucky through recommendations so far in those moves.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts ☺️
Hi Kiera,
Grimsby and Cleethorpes both have some lovely areas with super posh houses. If you’re happy with moving a little further out of central Grimsby (about 10 or so mins by car) consider looking at Laceby, Healing, Humberston, Waltham and Holton Le Clay. They have a more village-y vibe.