An AI-led room rental platform has identified Europe’s ‘coolest rental neighbourhoods’, with London continuing to be one of the continent’s largest and most popular rental markets despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

According to Badi, the below locations are home to Europe’s most in-demand rental neighbourhoods.

London

Shepherd’s Bush – previously a shabby, rundown part of London best known for its cheap housing and popularity among antipodean residents looking for short-term lets, Shepherd’s Bush has been transformed in recent years by the arrival of Westfield – the largest shopping centre in Europe – and a number of major companies setting up base in the area.

This has helped to attract a number of young professionals, lured by the job opportunities and cheaper rents on offer, who have christened the area SheBu. There has even been talk of Shepherd’s Bush being the new Shoreditch or Hackney.

Also home to one of London’s best-loved music venues, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and a host of eclectic restaurants, pubs and cafes, it has fast become one of the capital’s rental hotspots.

The £8 billion investment in nearby White City is well underway, with Shepherd’s Bush set to grow too as thousands of new homes and jobs come to the area.

Tooting – one of London’s most up-and-coming areas, Tooting is no longer the poorer relation to neighbouring Balham and Clapham, and offers plenty besides its iconic lido.

It’s become something of a rental hotspot among students and young professionals priced out of nearby Brixton, Clapham and Wandsworth, and has developed a reputation for hip hangouts and quirky restaurants. 

So much so, it was last year named one of the top 10 coolest neighbourhoods on earth.

“With more curry houses than you can shake a naan at, the emerging Tooting market is fast becoming a destination for foodies with an eclectic mix of craft beer and wine bars, trendy nightspots and independent eateries,” says Badi.

Barcelona

Poblenou – once known as ‘the Catalan Manchester’, Poblenou is a neighbourhood famous for its ancient, architecturally beautiful industrial buildings. It’s now the focal point of cultural and artistic life in Barcelona, with its disused spaces converted into creative factories and galleries for different artists.

Sant Andreu – a district characterised by its small streets and great connections to the city centre, Sant Andreu is one of the 10 districts that make up the city of Barcelona. According to Badi, it’s also the perfect place for families who want to live in Barcelona and enjoy an active social life.

Rome

Pigneto – defined as one of the ‘yuppie’ districts of Rome, Pigneto is a multicultural area where the past and present seamlessly intertwine. It’s increasingly one of the trendiest areas in the Italian capital, with murals, chic stores, craft shops and buzzing nightlife all helping to make it an attractive destination for renters.

Centocelle – in recent times Centocelle has shaken off its past as a shabby, undesirable neighbourhood, instead becoming one of Rome’s most up-and-coming locations thanks to the opening of bistros and trendy bars in the area.

Despite this, house prices are still low. With this in mind, Badi says Centocelle is one of the areas investors should be keep an eye on as it’s hotly tipped to become one of the coolest quarters of Rome in the next few years. 

Paris

Belleville – once perceived as dark and dangerous, Bellville has undergone significant regeneration and gentrification in the last decade to transform itself into a trendy rather than no-go neighbourhood. The many clubs and bars on offer help to make it popular among the younger generations eager to live in an area with thriving nightlife.

Jaurès – another neighbourhood that has shaken off a dodgy reputation – 20 years ago a widespread drug dealing problem in the area lent it its bad image – Jaurès is now cool rather than mad, bad and dangerous to know. Many bars, restaurants and a cinema have been opened in recent years and it is now considered a ‘Bo-Bo’ (bourgeois + bohemian) neighbourhood by locals.