
Where people vacation is a *pretty* good indication of the general coolest places to be — even more so when it comes to specific neighborhoods. Because of the way their business works, Airbnb has a unique ability to analyze not only overall top travel destination trends, but also data about exactly where people like to stay. Of course, there will always be classic neighborhoods that never go out of style (like Soho in NYC and Chelsea in London), but in many cases, smaller trendy neighborhoods are where in-the-know travelers choose to lodge.
According to Airbnb’s data, the locales with the most booking growth in the past year have a few things in common. First, they have tons of great food options, which is pretty self-explanatory (#priorities). Second, they’re in urban areas, but not dense ones, so travelers are less likely to encounter crowds but can still easily access the city center. Lastly, they often have a decent amount of green space or park areas, making it v. likely you’ll find an urban oasis when visiting these districts. After taking into account over 140 million guests’ bookings, these are the ‘hoods where Airbnb saw the most booking growth in the past year.
1. Milneburg, New Orleans, Louisiana: The top-trending community experienced 1,500 percent growth in 2016, making it a surefire hotspot this year. Just a short trip from the French Quarter but decidedly easier on the wallet, this charming area in Nola is definitely one to watch.
2. Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Known as a must-visit destination for foodies visiting Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Baru is less metropolitan than the downtown area and boasts a weekly night market that’s chock-full of local cuisine specialties.
3. Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia: Acknowledged as the first suburb of Melbourne, Fitzroy is getting the classic urban sprawl treatment: eclectic cafes, unique vintage shopping and an overall artsy-cool vibe.
4. Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan: This area is awesome because it’s right on the river, meaning tons of opps for seriously pretty water views. It’s also close to Universal Studios Japan and just a short trip from Osaka’s city center.
5. Chutes-Lavie, Marseille, France: With gorgeous architecture and classic French cuisine to spare, Marseille is becoming a super popular travel destination. Chutes-Lavie is traditionally a residential neighborhood, but it’s been on the upswing lately due to its local charm.
6. Rockcliffe Smythe, Toronto, Canada: With an abundance of green spaces balancing its industrial vibe, Rockcliffe Smythe is a both affordable and scenic option for visitors to the Toronto area.
7. Midtown, Miami, Florida: South Beach might be the most luxe place to stay in The Magic City, but Midtown is quickly becoming just as desirable. While many of the places on this list are a bit out of the way, this neighborhood is right in the center of everything, making it crazy-convenient.
8. Narvarte, Mexico City, Mexico: Previously exclusive to locals, Narvarte is a place where travelers can get an authentic taste of Mexican culture — and food, obvi. It’s noted for its opportunities to score some of the city’s best tacos and then bar hop at hipster-friendly watering holes afterward.
9. West Seattle, Seattle, Washington: West Seattle is separated by water from the rest of the city, but it’s becoming a family-friendly haven, with stunning views to boot.
10. Usera, Madrid, Spain: An easy metro ride from the other trendy areas of Spain’s capital city, Usera is bustling with cute cafes and bars, yet it’s still a low-key place to set up shop for your stay in Madrid.
11. Din Daeng/Huai Khwang, Bangkok, Thailand: Considering that Bangkok is on most travelers’ bucket lists — it’s got everything from amazing food to stellar nightlife and touristy sites that can’t be missed — it makes sense that new neighborhoods would start emerging as cultural centers in their own right. In Din Daeng and Huaw Khwang, two districts that are right next to each other, there’s less big-city pressure but no shortage of things to do.
12. Chippendale, Sydney, Australia: This once less-than-desirable area has been revitalized with the addition of parks, fancy hotels and top-notch restaurants, making it one of the best places to stay in Sydney.
Daehangno, Seoul, South Korea:
14. Lyndale, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Known for being relaxed, artsy and residential, this Minneapolis enclave is pretty centrally located, so you’ll be able to quickly get where you need to be without have to shell out the cash to stay in the city center.
15. Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland: Home to Dublin’s huge and gorgeous main park, this area strikes a contrast with the rest of Dublin’s urban vibe. Word has it you might even encounter a deer or two if you stroll around long enough.
16. Chacarita, Buenos Aires, Argentina: A community centered around local markets and a whole lot of pride for area sports teams, Chacarita is a casual and homey place to make your base when you visit Buenos Aires. It’s very close to popular Palermo Hollywood, the hottest place to go out in the city — but you’ll find that despite the proximity, this district is totally chill.
17. Žižkov, Prague, Czech Republic: Cafe culture is a big deal here, so you’ll have your pick of great places to eat and grab a cup of coffee during your stay. With its mix of historical sites and newer boutiques, bars and restaurants, you might not even bother to leave the neighborhood.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.