#neighborhoods

#neighborhoods

It's certainly fair to say that Anthony Bourdain loved Chicago. He visited the city three times across three different TV shows, and his admiration never wavered. "I can't say enough nice things about it," he says in Season 2, Episode 1 of "The Layover," which focuses on the Windy City. The food impressed him, of course, but so did the people and the atmosphere.

Despite the popular (and mostly accurate) narrative that affordability is practically over in Boston, there is still some relative value to be had in 2026 inside city limits (of course, one shouldn't get their hopes up for a discount on a Beacon Hill townhouse). Buyers who want the most bang for their buck should look in areas like Hyde Park, Roslindale, Dorchester, Mattapan, and parts of East Boston, according to Melvin A. Vieira Jr. of RE/Max Destiny.

Colonial architecture sits alongside cutting-edge design, traditional markets share blocks with high-end boutiques, and quiet temples carve out a peaceful space among the urban chaos. The city's hotel scene has all the big names you'd expect - the Peninsula, Shangri-La and Mondrian all take up space throughout the smartest neighbourhoods - but for a truly authentic experience, look to the city's Airbnb offering.

Planning a trip to Chiang Mai? You're in for a treat! Northern Thailand's cultural hub offers a mix of ancient temples, bustling markets, and serene escapes-plus a food scene that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds). But after more trips to Thailand than we can count, we've learned that choosing the right neighborhood can make all the difference in how you experience the city.

Down Istanbul's hills and through its backstreets, you'll find neighborhoods that feel local and authentic-where shopkeepers greet passersby by name, laundry sways between windows, and the scent of home cooking drifts through open doorways. These are the parts of Istanbul that offer a more grounded perspective-not just what the city looks like, but how it lives. Bebek, Çukurcuma, and Cihangir are among the most rewarding to explore, especially for solo travelers, though anyone who makes the time will likely be drawn in.

Choosing where to stay in Chiang Mai can feel overwhelming, especially with so many neighborhoods offering their unique charm. While the Old City is the historic heart, there's much more to explore-think bustling markets, café-lined streets, tranquil riverside escapes, and leafy residential areas with a more local vibe. Each neighborhood has its own personality, from energetic and vibrant to peaceful and secluded, and the one you pick can really shape your trip.

Lima is a place where you can encounter layers of history as well as modern Peru—and the creatives who have made it one of South America's great cities.

In Solanda, residents have protected themselves from rising violence by fortifying their homes and neighborhoods with gates and barriers, responding to escalating crime rates.

Mission Bay isn’t actually soulless - it’s just playing hard to get.

New York City's neighborhoods each have unique attributes, offering diverse options for visitors dependent on personal preferences: sightseeing, nightlife, or an authentic NYC experience.

In London's quiet southern reach, beyond the rush, beyond the speech, there's Sutton steady, calm, and clean, with threads that tie through Cheam to Green.