We found that the philosophy of Living Like a Local while on vacation in Europe can be practiced almost anywhere there is an interesting town that meets our criteria. And that town does not necessarily have to be small or out of the way. Although the places we have featured so far are on the somewhat smaller side, we are just as happy to practice that same travel philosophy in BIGGER European cities. Of course, the key for taking this philosophy to the big city is to find the ideal neighborhood in which you become a temporary resident.
Get to Know Your Little Corner of the City
The same essential elements should apply to that neighborhood as they do for the places we highlighted. Enjoy all that the big city has to offer, and then look forward to returning to that little corner of the city you can call “home” — a district that presumably is not a hassle to get to, is not a tourist hangout, has adequate shops and activities to keep you interested, has access to a good farmer’s market, and comes with its own charm.
Unfortunately, Too Much Growth has Threatened the Local Character in Some Places
We should stress the criterion of planning to stay in neighborhoods that are away from the main tourist areas. In some cities, growth in short-term rentals by home sharing services in districts popular with tourists has forced original residents and essential workers out of the city center, threatening the unique character of those areas. Many such cities are now considering restrictions on short-term rentals to preserve them for local residential use.
So, be judicious when researching a potential live-like-a-local apartment, especially in big cities like Paris, Barcelona, London and Rome, and enjoy the unique character of a neighborhood that still exists for the locals, and where you can happily get lost among a maze of narrow streets even when using GPS.