There are journeys so memorable that they make us ask: what if I came to live here? All you need is to find a neighborhood where you feel at home, between the morning market, the small shops, a café you want to keep returning to, and streets that you’d like to explore slowly, without rushing. For some, it remains a dream to bring home along with the photos; for others, it could be the first step toward a life change, moving to a new city and a different address to rebuild something new.
Among the places capable of lighting this desire are the coolest European neighborhoods selected by Time Out, where culture, independent activities and a sense of community make even the simplest daily life interesting. But how much does it cost to turn a travel destination into the place where you live? Abitare Co. has crunched the numbers, analyzing apartment prices in the 13 European neighborhoods featured in the ranking. The figures vary considerably: they start at 2,300 euros per square meter and can go up to as much as 13,000 euros, with the Italian neighborhood that ranked third standing out in the analysis as well.
Where buying a house costs the most
Moving to live in Newington Green in London is a privilege for a few: the average price per square meter is around €10,700, while the study notes a maximum average value of €13,000. Between Victorian architecture and green spaces, this London neighborhood represents the most expensive destination among those included in Time Out’s list for people thinking of settling down there.
In second place among the priciest neighborhoods is Quartier d’Aligre in Paris, with an average of €9,900 per square meter and maximum values around €11,800. Nestled between Bastille and Gare de Lyon, the local food market anchors a district that invites you to discover the capital through its everyday habits, but buying a home there isn’t affordable for everyone.
Completing the podium is Oost in Amsterdam, where the average is €8,500 per square meter, rising to €10,500 in the higher range of values. Parks and an international atmosphere contribute to the appeal of this part of the city.
The following spots are Slakthusområdet in Stockholm, a former industrial district undergoing urban renewal, at €7,600 per square meter, and São Bento in Lisbon, at €7,000. Here the maximum prices even reach €9,300 and €9,500 respectively.
How much does the coolest Italian neighborhood cost
For Italy, the address to watch is Esquilino in Rome, the only Italian presence in Time Out’s selection, which reached the podium with third place among Europe’s coolest neighborhoods and tenth in the global ranking: its appeal lies in a unique identity that intertwines historical heritage, diverse cultures and meeting spaces.
In the real estate analysis, it ranks seventh in price, at €5,400 per square meter, with a maximum value of €6,800 per square meter. Its location between Termini and the historic center, along with excellent transport links and local services, are among the elements that make it even more attractive for anyone considering moving to this district.
Rome sits among Russafa in Valencia, where the average reaches €5,500 per square meter, and Boavista in Porto, which stands at €5,300. Three affordable options close in price, but offering different urban experiences: the Valencian district’s creative energy, the cosmopolitan character of the Roman quarter, and the services of the Portuguese area, which also hosts Casa da Música.
The most affordable cool neighborhoods
Prices drop below €5,000 per square meter in Crooswijk in Rotterdam (average €4,600) and Rákóczi tér in Budapest (€4,000). In the former case, the transformation also involves the redevelopment of the former workers’ district; in the latter, the draws include the covered market and the strong links to the city center.
Prices are more contained in Cathedral Quarter in Belfast, at €3,300 per square meter, and in Neos Kosmos in Athens, at €2,700. The Athens neighborhood, first in Europe in Time Out’s selection, is therefore the second-cheapest option for buying a home among the areas analyzed.
The lowest average price is found in Govanhill, in Glasgow, at €2,300 per square meter, with a maximum value of €3,100.
We report the ranking of prices in the coolest neighborhoods analyzed:
| City | Neighborhood | Average price €/m² | Maximum price €/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Newington Green | 10.700 | 13.000 |
| Paris | Quartier d’Aligre | 9.900 | 11.800 |
| Amsterdam | Oost | 8.500 | 10.500 |
| Stockholm | Slakthusområdet | 7.600 | 9.300 |
| Lisbon | São Bento | 7.000 | 9.500 |
| Valencia | Ruzafa | 5.500 | 7.300 |
| Rome | Esquilino | 5.400 | 6.800 |
| Porto | Boavista | 5.300 | 6.500 |
| Rotterdam | Crooswijk | 4.600 | 5.500 |
| Budapest | Rákóczi tér | 4.000 | 5.000 |
| Belfast | Cathedral Quarter | 3.300 | 4.200 |
| Atene | Neos Kosmos | 2.700 | 3.300 |
| Glasgow | Govanhill | 2.300 | 3.100 |
