What's your dream neighborhood like? Recently, forty communities have been chosen as the coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2023. TimeOut , the magazine that has been hosting this event for six years, considers sides like community projects, green spaces, and lively streets.
At the top of the list is Laureles from Colombia. There's a famous street called La 70 where all the bars and restaurants turn into dance floors when the right music plays. It also has a big soccer gym. You might think this community is quite noisy. But in fact, Laureles is known for being a relaxing neighborhood. Outside of La 70, you can find peaceful parks, streets with lots of trees and many cafes.
If Laureles is a mix of both noise and peace, then Sheung Wan(上环) in Hong Kong, China, is the perfect mix of the past and the present. Once known for its funeral services(丧葬服务), Sheung Wan has become an exciting place. You'll find old temples and dried seafood shops there. And right beside them, there are cool art galleries(画廊), Melbourne-style cafes and stores for designer clothes. Here, you'll see city walkers hanging out with their pets in cafes, and older people visiting cheap markets.
As seen in Laureles and Sheung Wan, in 2023, our communities are becoming more global than ever. There's a rise in culture centers with many uses, new community spaces, and cafes. However, with all these changes, our neighborhoods still feel like home because places like old farmers' markets and stores remain. Looking ahead, we expect even more exciting neighbor-hoods!
①old temples ②a soccer gym ③dried seafood shops ④cafes