It frustrates me the amount of times I have to explain to people how nice Hull and Cottingham in particular, actually are. I'm from Birmingham originally, and can safely say I feel safer here than I do back at home, in fact, my car insurance premium went down by 15% when I moved haha.
I've only been here five months, but I've loved it, it's not to say there isn't bad parts, there is in every city, but I certainly couldn't point you in the direction of any. There is a huge student population here, and the places you'll end up going 90% of your time, be it to the supermarket, the pub, or on nights out, will be along with your fellow students.