New York, Florence, Dubai…Tooting? Yes, you heard us right. Lonely Planet has voted Tooting as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods. For the people who live there, this is a fact they’ve known for a long time that has only just been recognised on the world stage. For the rest of us, it may have us scratching our heads.
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So, what makes Tooting so special? Although Tooting has been thoroughly gentrified and is a pricey neighbourhood to live in, it still retains some old charisma and shabby authenticity. So much so that Lonely Planet described it as a ‘captivating affair, revelling in multiculturalism and originality.’ Tooting has 200 acres of green space as well as a bustling high street, the best of both worlds. Whether you’re young and enjoying the London vibe or you’re a family, Tooting has it all. Even a Lido, which remains the largest swimming pool in the UK.
But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what Lonely Planet had to say about Tooting:
“Its high street, which stretches between two Tube stations, is one of the best 'curry corridors' in the country, and contains some superb South Asian restaurants, like Dosa n Chutny and Apollo Banana Leaf.
The best shopping can be found inside eclectic Tooting Market, and quirky bars and pubs include The Castle, The Antelope and The Little Bar."
Tooting Lido (Photograph: Wikipedia)
Here are the other neighbourhoods that made the cut:
1.Borgo San Frediano, Florence
2.Seongsu-dong, Seoul
3.The Triangle, Lisbon
4.Vesterbro, Copenhagen
5.Business Bay, Dubai
6.Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur
7.Sunset Park, New York City
8.Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
9.Frelard, Seattle
10.Tooting, London
Not bad company to be amongst. The sun might not shine quite as brightly on Tooting in August as it does on Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, but it has done something special. It has been persistent in keeping its identity and remaining a community, which is something worth shouting about.
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