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Eight simple changes to our neighbourhoods can help us age well

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jerome-n-rachele-251972">Jerome N Rachele</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-f-sallis-407885">James F Sallis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-san-diego-1314">University of California, San Diego</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/venurs-loh-118864">Venurs Loh</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a> Where we live can play a big part in ageing well, largely because of the links between physical activity and wellbeing. <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/2181/AHURI_Final_Report_No214_Downsizing-amongst-older-Australians.pdf">Research shows</a> that two-thirds of Australians prefer to age in place. That is, we want to live independently in our homes for as long as we can. Our neighbourhoods and their design can then improve or hinder our ability to get out of the house and be physically active. The rapid ageing of Australia’s population only adds to the importance of neighbourhood design. In 2016, 15% of Australians were aged 65 or older. That proportion is <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-statistics/population-groups/older-people/overview">projected to double</a> by 2056. These trends present several <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-statistics/population-groups/older-people/reports">social and economic challenges</a>, particularly for the health sector. Designing neighbourhoods in ways that promote physical activity can help overcome these challenges. <h2>Eight simple steps</h2> The following is a short list of <a href="https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-017-0471-5">evidence-based steps</a> local and state governments can take to assist older people to be physically active. These involve minor but effective changes to neighbourhood design. Improve footpaths: Research indicates that older people have a <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-older-people-get-osteoporosis-and-have-falls-68145">higher risk of falls</a>. Ensuring footpaths are level and crack-free, and free from obstructions, will encourage walking among older people – especially those with a disability. Connected pedestrian networks: Introducing footpaths at the end of no-through-roads and across long street blocks reduces walking distances to destinations. This makes walking a more viable option. Slowing traffic in high-pedestrian areas: Slowing traffic <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/publications/Safe-Speed-Evidence-Report.pdf">improves safety</a> by reducing the risk of a collision. It also reduces the risk of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28557669">death and serious injury</a> in the event of a collision. Age-friendly street crossings: Installing longer pedestrian crossing light sequences gives older pedestrians <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/41/5/690/47318/Most-older-pedestrians-are-unable-to-cross-the">more time to cross</a>, and installing refuge islands means those who walk more slowly can cross the street in two stages. Disabled access at public transport: Although a form of motorised transport, public transport users undertake more incidental physical activity compared with car users. This is because they walk between transit stops and their origins and destinations. Improving disabled access helps make public transport a viable option for more older people. Places to rest: <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1054">Providing rest spots</a> such as benches enables older people to break up their walk and rest when needed. Planting trees: Planting trees <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953614004109?via%3Dihub">creates more pleasant scenery</a> to enjoy on a walk. It also provides shade on hot days. Improving safety: Ensuring that streets are well-lit and reducing graffiti and signs of decay are likely to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24552845">improve perceptions of safety</a> among older people. <h2>Why physical activity matters</h2> Physical function – the ability to undertake everyday activities such as walking, bathing and climbing stairs – often declines as people age. The reason for this is that ageing is often accompanied by a reduction in muscle strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory reserves. Regular physical activity can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14552936">prevent or slow the decline</a> in physical function, even among those with existing health conditions. Middle-to-older aged adults can reduce their risk of physical function decline <a href="https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5868-7-38">by 30%</a> with regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week). This includes recreational physical activity, like walking the dog, or incidental physical activity, such as walking to the shops or to visit friends. By making minor changes as outlined above, the health and longevity of our elderly population can be extended. Such changes will help our elderly age well in place. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jerome-n-rachele-251972">Jerome N Rachele</a>, Research Fellow in Social Epidemiology, Institute for Health and Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-f-sallis-407885">James F Sallis</a>, Professorial Fellow, Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, and Emeritus Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-san-diego-1314">University of California, San Diego</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/venurs-loh-118864">Venurs Loh</a>, PhD Candidate, Institute for Health and Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/eight-simple-changes-to-our-neighbourhoods-can-help-us-age-well-83962">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

World’s coolest neighbourhoods ranked

Travelling to a new destination gives us plenty to explore - from the tourist hotspots to the hidden gems found off the beaten track - and it’s these latter spots that have been ranked, with Time Out releasing its <a href="https://www.timeout.com/travel/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">51 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World</a> for 2022. The fifth annual listing, created after surveying 20,000 city-dwellers and relying on expert input, is made up of “incredible places to be right now”, according to Time Out editors. While we might not have cracked the top ten, there was still plenty of representation from Australia and New Zealand. Fitzroy, Melbourne, took out the highest spot in 27th place, earning the “distinction of the second coolest street in the world” thanks to the retail stores, galleries, pubs, bars and cafes lining Gertrude Street. Sydney’s Marrickville came in close behind at No. 33, garnering praise for its “healthy dose of creative colour”. Kingsland, Auckland, came in 43rd, followed by Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, which scraped in at No. 47. The top of the list featured spots in Portugal, Cambodia, the US, Japan and Canada, with Colonia Americana, in the western Mexico city of Guadalajara, being crowned the coolest of them all. Time Out travel editor James Manning said Guandalajara is an emerging “must-visit” spot, with Colonia Americana being “the place to be right now”. “It's home to a boundary-pushing creative community, a growing number of amazing places to eat, and some of the best nightlife in the western hemisphere. And the street life is unbeatable,” he said in a statement. Following in second place is Lisbon’s riverside Cais do Sodré, a long-time hub for nightlife that is becoming a foodie hotspot. Third place was claimed by Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Following a “serious glow-up” in the surrounding area over the past year, highlights include boutique hotels and the restaurant Tevy’s Place, which slings organic meals and works to empower local women. The first US entry, New York City’s suburb of Ridgewood, took fourth place, followed by Mile End in Montreal, Canada, at No. 5. Dave Calhoun, Time Out’s chief content officer for North America and the UK, said the goal of the annual list was to spotlight areas that aren’t “homogenised, corporate destinations” and have “an independent and welcoming vibe” instead. "You may be able to walk across them in half an hour or less but they are packed with enough experiences to spend days exploring," he said. The top ten list of Time Out’s coolest suburbs in the world are: 1. Colonia Americana - Guadalajara, Mexico 2. Cais do Sodré - Lisbon, Portugal 3. Wat Bo Village - Siem Reap, Cambodia 4. Ridgewood - New York City, USA 5. Mile End - Montreal, Canada 6. Barrio Logan - San Diego, USA 7. Shimokitazawa - Tokyo, Japan 8. Cliftonville - Margate, UK 9. Barrio Yungay - Santiago, Chile 10. Cours Julien - Marseille, France Image: Instagram

International Travel

Jennifer Aniston snaps up Oprah's estate in star-studded neighbourhood

Jennifer Aniston has joined the likes of fellow A-listers Ariana Grande, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Ellen DeGeneres and Rob Lowe, forking out AUD$22 million on Oprah Winfrey’s former home. The four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom Tuscan-style farmhouse sits on 1.03 acres and was just one part of Winfrey’s vast property that she sold to the actor, while selling her other half of the estate to long-time personal trainer and property manager Bon Greene for an impressive $2.3 million. Spanning just over 400 sqm, the 53-year-old Friends star, who also owns a $20.97m Bel Air mansion, purchased the main residence of the estate under a trust around the same time as well. Winfrey quietly purchased the estate in early 2021 for $10.5m, which means she is walking away with a $6.5m profit. Because of the nature of the deal, interior photos of Aniston’s new place are scarce. The Mediterranean-style abode features a driveway surrounded by lush landscaping for optimal privacy and panoramic ocean views. Images: Getty/Google Earth/The Ellen Show

Real Estate

225kg "Hank the Tank" bear ransacks wealthy neighbourhood

Residents of a wealthy California neighbourhood have been terrorised by a 225kg black bear, nicknamed Hank the Tank by authorities. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) , the one bear has been linked to "property damage at 38 different properties" in the affluent Tahoe Keys neighbourhood. The trouble-making bear has been the source of more than 150 calls between law enforcement and wildlife personnel in recent months. Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the CDFW said Hank has been spotted more and more as he has developed a taste for pizza, and has yet to be deterred by efforts from local police to scare it off with paintballs and sirens. “It’s easier to find leftover pizza than to go in the forest,” Tira said “This is a bear that has lost all fear of people,” he added. “It’s a potentially dangerous situation.” Due to the heightened number of sightings and complaints about Hank, the CDFW has been setting up traps to catch the beast, but to no avail. “The trapping activity is a measure of last resort to capture and euthanise a specific and what we call a severely habituated or human-food conditioned black bear,” Tira said. Despite the potential danger, the bear hunt has sparked an outcry from local residents, who tried to sabotage them by trying to scare away the bear, playing loud music, and even spray-painting “Bear Killer” on the government’s trap. A bear activist group called the BEAR League has been coordinating with the CDFW for Hank the Tank to be relocated to a wildlife sanctuary instead of euthanised. “The BEAR League reached out to the director of an excellent out-of-state wildlife sanctuary who agreed he has room and would be very willing to give this bear a permanent home,” said executive director Ann Bryant. “We notified [the California Department of Fish and Wildlife] on Tuesday morning asking that this option be seriously considered rather than killing the bear.” While talks to relocate Hank are still ongoing, the CDFW has urged residents to practice preventive measures to keep bears out, such as securing garbage properly and keeping trash out of cars. According to the New York Post, when people relocated to Tahoe Keys to work from home due to the pandemic, these new residents did not adhere to preventive measures, prompting Hank the Tank to come out of the woods and forage for food. Image credits: Facebook - BEAR League

Family & Pets

Our pets strengthen neighbourhood ties

Talk to any pet owner and you are bound to invoke stories about the joy and companionship of having a pet. But evidence is mounting that the effect of pets extends beyond their owners and can help strengthen the social fabric of local neighbourhoods. Now a cross-national study involving Perth, Australia, and three US cities has lent weight to the observation that pets help build social capital. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcsvDLgfjRw?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> This is not a frivolous notion, given the erosion of sense of community is often lamented. As Hugh Mackay <a href="http://theconversation.com/hugh-mackay-the-state-of-the-nation-starts-in-your-street-72264">recently observed</a>, not knowing our neighbours has become a sad cliché of contemporary urban life. I stumbled into pet-related research some 15 years ago when undertaking a PhD on neighbourhoods and sense of community. I was curious about the elements of a neighbourhood that might help people connect to one another, so I threw some in some survey questions about pets. In what has become my most-cited <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953605000535">academic paper</a>, we found that pet owners were more likely to have higher social capital. This is a concept that captures trust between people (including those we don’t know personally), networks of social support, the exchange of favours with neighbours and civic engagement. Fast-forward a decade to a much <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827317300344">larger study</a> to look at the relationship between pets and social capital. Pet owners and non-owners were randomly surveyed in four cities (Perth, San Diego, Portland and Nashville – four cities reasonably comparable in size, urban density and climate). In all four cities, we found owning a pet was significantly associated with higher social capital compared with not owning a pet. This held true after adjusting for a raft of demographic factors that might influence people’s connections in their neighbourhood. <h2>How do pets help build social bonds?</h2> It is often assumed that the social benefits of pets are confined to social interactions that occur when people are out walking their dogs. Lots of dog owner anecdotes support this. In this large sample study, however, levels of social capital were higher among pet owners across the board. We did nonetheless find that social capital was higher among dog owners and those who walked their dogs in particular. Dog owners were <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122085">five times more likely</a> to have got to know people in their neighbourhood. This makes sense, as dogs are the most likely to get us outside the home. Yet our survey data and qualitative responses show that a variety of pets can act as a social lubricant. Pets are a great leveller in society, owned and loved by people across social, age and racial strata. Perhaps it is having something in common with other people that strikes a chord, regardless of the type of pet. <h2>What does this mean for how we live?</h2> That pets can help build social capital is not just a social nicety or quirky sociological observation. Hundreds of studies internationally show that social capital is a positive predictor for a raft of important social indicators, including mental health, education, crime deterrence, and community safety. Given pets are <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-the-rise-of-apartment-living-whats-a-nation-of-pet-owners-to-do-58738?sr=1">entrenched in the lives and homes</a> of many Australians, it makes sense to tap into this as a way to strengthen the social fabric of local communities. Not everyone can or wants to own a pet. But two-thirds of the population does, so our cities and neighbourhoods need to be “pet friendly”. Australian suburbs are generally pretty good for <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-there-a-place-for-dogs-in-public-space-or-must-they-make-do-with-dog-parks-56147">walkable parks</a> and streets. In this study, we also found that having dog walkers out and about contributes to <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3659-8">perceptions of community safety</a>. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175751/original/file-20170627-21898-vaps3d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175751/original/file-20170627-21898-vaps3d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> However, in Australia, pets have traditionally belonged to people living in detached housing with backyards. Many rental properties, apartment complexes, and retirement villages still <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-pet-owners-suffer-rental-insecurity-perhaps-landlords-should-think-again-63275?sr=1">default to a “no pets” policy</a>. Other countries, where renting and higher-density living is more the norm, seem more accepting of pets across the housing spectrum. Given ageing populations, housing affordability and the need to curb urban sprawl are critical social trends in many countries (including Australia), maybe we need to <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-better-understanding-of-how-we-manage-dogs-to-help-them-become-better-urban-citizens-64749">recalibrate our notions</a> of who can own a pet and where they can live. This is not to say that pets have to be allowed everywhere, but the default to “no pets allowed” is questionable. My father-in-law in his 80s, for example, couldn’t downsize to a retirement complex because his extremely docile rescue greyhound exceeded the “10kg pet” rule. He couldn’t bear to part with Moby, a faithful companion through whom he met many local residents daily at the park nearby. <h2>Constant companions in times of change</h2> A lot of my current research is around homelessness. Chatting recently with a man who was homeless with his dog on the streets of Melbourne, he told me how his dog gets him up in the morning, keeps him safe at night, and gets them both walking daily. His dog was one of the few stable things in his life, so he needed a public housing option that would allow pets. People who are homeless also need crisis accommodation options that accept their pets. Hence it is great to see places such as <a href="https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/WA/Homeless_Mental_Health_Services/Tom_Fisher_House/">Tom Fisher House</a> in Perth, opening its doors to rough sleepers with pets needing a safe place to sleep. Beyond the practical implications for pet-friendly cities, the potential for pets to enrich the social fabric of communities has strong appeal in an era of global uncertainty, frenetic “busyness” and technology-driven communications. As cultural analyst Sheryl Turkle has said, the ways people interact and forge relationships have undergone massive change and we can end up “<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together">connected, but alone</a>”. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MtLVCpZIiNs?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> By contrast, humans have been drawn to companion animals since early civilisation. In many people’s lives, they remain a tangible constant that can yield enduring social capital benefits.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/79755/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-wood-167802">Lisa Wood</a>, Associate Professor, Centre for Social Impact and School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-pets-strengthen-neighbourhood-ties-79755">original article</a>. Image: Wrote/flickr

Family & Pets

See the abandoned Disney castle neighbourhood

A new housing development was <a rel="noopener" href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/disney-style-castles-abandoned-turkey/f650780e-654b-46f4-8f09-789edc12cf5c" target="_blank">supposed</a> to be a luxury escape full of castle villas, but a series of financial hurdles has left the castle-filled neighbourhood to be abandoned. The Burj Al Babas housing development began in the Turkish town of Mudurnu in 2014. Sarot Property Group, the developers behind the magical idea, had built 732 castle-themed villas and had plans to build a shopping mall and entertainment facilities for tourists. By 2019, more than half the villas had been sold. But as Turkey battled through an ongoing economic crisis, development quickly halted. After buyers and investors pulled out of the 150 million euro project, Sarot Property Group filed for bankruptcy and the castles were abandoned. See them in the gallery below. Images: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Neighbourhood taken over by world’s largest rodents

Meet the world’s largest rodent: the capybara. They’re semi-aquatic, meaning they love to swim, and have webbed feet designed for that exact purpose. It also means they can swim underwater for up to five minutes without surfacing for air. They grow up to 2 feet, or 60cm, in size, and can weigh anywhere between 35 to 66 kilograms. They’re native to South America, where they’re known by many names, including carpincho, chigüiro, and capivara. They’re widely adored on the internet, primarily for their friendly yet calm demeanour that allows them to make friends of all species, including cats, rabbits, deer, turtles, as well as their close relatives, guinea pigs. They’re also known for enjoying Japanese hot springs, a country they are not native to but nonetheless have taken by storm. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> there is one imposter among us <a href="https://t.co/JiXGytI4O7">pic.twitter.com/JiXGytI4O7</a> — CAPYBARA MAN (@CAPYBARA_MAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CAPYBARA_MAN/status/1367517585626046468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> What More Is There To Life? <a href="https://t.co/yKgic1TA7A">pic.twitter.com/yKgic1TA7A</a> — Wholesome Cat! (@GoldenHappyCat1) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenHappyCat1/status/1445880269718921217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2021</a></blockquote> But recently, they’ve been making headlines for an entirely different reason: home invasions. Okay, they aren’t stealing into people’s homes in the dead of night to swipe their valuables, but they have been accused of invading one exclusive Argentinian neighbourhood in large numbers and committing crimes such as soiling lawns and “bullying” pets. Nordelta is a gated community in the north of Buenos Aires, and was established in 1999. While it is now home to titans of industry and sports stars, it was once home to wildlife like the capybaras, who are at home in the wetland environment provided by the nearby River Paraná. While residents of the enclave have issued calls for the capybaras to be castrated or relocated, supporters both in Argentina and around the globe have rallied around the rodents, holding them up as a symbol of class divisions and environmentalism. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Mural in Buenos Aires, celebrating the capybara invasion of Nordelta, Argentina’s most exclusive gated community, an enclave of the ultra rich, built in a lush area on the wetlands of the Paraná river. <a href="https://t.co/TKhzCx74aB">pic.twitter.com/TKhzCx74aB</a> — Radical Graffiti (@GraffitiRadical) <a href="https://twitter.com/GraffitiRadical/status/1430541217889079300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2021</a></blockquote> One longtime resident, real estate broker Gustavo Iglesias, told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/rodents-the-size-of-st-bernards-swarm-an-exclusive-gated-community-11633882543?fbclid=IwAR1BxC7KRD6Syy5fQRVQ_O0QelWfsoz2VC5XkgDmXrYkklbw6GS-SuZFDtA" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>, “I’m not anti-capybara; I want to scratch their cute little bellies as much as anyone else. “The problem is that their population is out of control, and people are too scared to do anything. No one wants to look like they’re opposed to nature.” Iglesias complains that his lakeside garden is used by roughly a dozen invading capybaras as a toilet daily, but the last straw was when his dog Lucho came home sporting two deep gashes “that looked like the handiwork of rodent incisors.” Critics of the neighbourhood include environmentalists like Enrique Viale, who said, "wealthy real-estate developers with government backing have to destroy nature in order to sell clients the dream of living in the wild – because the people who buy those homes want nature, but without the mosquitoes, snakes or carpinchos". Viale told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/22/argentina-capybaras-giant-rodents-gated-community" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> that describing the takeover as an invasion would not be accurate, saying, “It’s the other way round: Nordelta invaded the ecosystem of the carpinchos.” Viale has been part of a decade-long campaign to get congress to pass a law protecting the wetlands from further development. While wealthy residents may not appreciate the return of the capybaras to their native habitat, people from around Argentina have taken to visiting the neighbourhood just to encounter the friendly creatures. The locals should be happy about this - tourism is good for the economy, after all. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nunca pensé que iba a estar vivo para ver a los carpinchos domando chetos y librando la madre de todas las batallas en Nordelta. Estoy así: <a href="https://t.co/Gy6t7viQUS">pic.twitter.com/Gy6t7viQUS</a> — Portgas D.🇦🇷 (@CoupeFuego_) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoupeFuego_/status/1427827864053952514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote> Image: Magali Cervantes/AFP via Getty Images

Family & Pets

Petty neighbourhood dispute over tree

As much as we all want to get along with our neighbours, it can be tough when they resort to petty acts. A Reddit user from the UK has shared their story of their extremely petty neighbour, with photos to prove it. In one of the photos, a large tree can be seen that sits on the border between two properties. On one side, the tree has branches covered in leaves and looks like it needs a bit of a trim. On the other side, the tree has been trimmed down to the trunk so not even a leaf or branch encroaches on the neighbour’s property. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQe4cZwg4g-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQe4cZwg4g-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a> </div> </blockquote> The user captioned their post, saying: “Some traditional British pettiness on display”, and the post has received more than 30,000 likes from other users, with some sharing their recognition of the kind of dispute the two houses were experiencing. “The wrought iron gate really sets it off nicely,” one user commented. “Feel like I know the exact guy.” Another said: “He asked if he could cut down the ivy on the front of my house. I said no. He tried to do it when he thought I was out.” Image: The Today Show / Instagram

Relationships

Travel experts reveal the best Paris neighbourhoods to explore

Evan Upchurch writes for <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/culinary/10-delicious-desserts-especially-travelers/" target="_blank">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</a>, the blog of a <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank">global luxury travel network</a>. Divided into the right and left banks by the river Seine, modern Paris is much more than Audrey Hepburn in Charade, Edith Piaf’s La vie en rose, and the stories of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The city changes from one neighborhood, or arrondissement, to the next. We asked five people from the <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank">Virtuoso</a> family to talk about the <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/destinations/europe/france/paris#.WPYiGVKZPBI" target="_blank">Paris</a> they know and love. 1. The Sixteenth Arrondissement: Calm & Upscale Our expert: Laurence Tafanel, Owner of <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/hotels/6164090/esprit-saint-germain" target="_blank">Esprit Saint Germain</a> Tafanel’s charming boutique hotel is in the heart of Saint Germain, but she has always lived in Neuilly-sur-Seine, an upscale suburb of Paris close to the sixteenth arrondissement. Both areas are family-friendly, residential neighborhoods, also home to many French stars. Favourite Addresses: With a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and a chic art-deco ambience, <a href="https://monsieurbleu.com/" target="_blank">Monsieur Bleu</a> restaurant, located inside the <a href="http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/en" target="_blank">Palais de Tokyo</a> contemporary art museum, is a must. 20 avenue de New York Make a reservation at <a href="http://www.lebestofparis.com/best-restaurants-in-paris/le-stella-brasserie-a-chic-parisian-establishment" target="_blank">Le Stella</a> for traditional French cuisine in an intimate bistro. Practice your French, as you will be surrounded by locals. 133 avenue Victor Hugo Plan a picnic at <a href="http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71494/Bois-de-Boulogne" target="_blank">Bois de Boulogne</a> on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and stock up on supplies at these neighborhood stops. Buy fresh baguettes at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boulangerie-Bechu/152659798102126" target="_blank">Béchu</a> (118 avenue Victor Hugo) and delicious pastries at <a href="http://www.auxmerveilleux.com/home_en/" target="_blank">Aux Mérveilleux</a> (29 rue de l’Annonciation). Explore the magnificent permanent collection of impressionist paintings at <a href="http://www.marmottan.fr/" target="_blank">Musée Marmottan-Monet </a>(2 rue Louis Boilly) or discover the large collection of Asian art at <a href="http://www.guimet.fr/en/home" target="_blank">Musée national des Arts asiatiques</a> (6 place d’Iéna). 2. Saint Germain: Classic & Eclectic Our expert: Gary Johnson, Seattle-based Virtuoso agency owner Gary has been visiting Paris for 45 years, first as a child accompanying his father, a Pan Am pilot, for long weekends. In high school, he brought home armfuls of baguettes to pass out to grateful teachers. Today, he loves Saint Germain, historically a center for art, music, and literature – and still a hub for in-the-know, artistic Parisians. Favourite Addresses: The neighborhood gem is Laurence Tafanel’s 28-room hotel Esprit Saint Germain, says Johnson. Close to Saint Sulpice and the Luxembourg Gardens, it is one of the city’s best-located properties. For a welcoming neighborhood restaurant, try <a href="http://www.restaurantlechristine.com/en/" target="_blank">Le Christine</a><a href="http://www.restaurantlechristine.com/en/" target="_blank"></a> – they use fresh, seasonal products for a modern French menu. 1 rue Christine The Hermès (17 rue de Sèvres) space was once the famous art-deco Lutetia swimming pool from the 1930s, transformed in the early 2000s into a concept store with a Hermès boutique, but also a tea salon, florist, and library. After a day of shopping, treat yourself to a few pastries (try any of the fruit tarts) from <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/gerard-mulots-i-1/" target="_blank">Mulot</a> (76 rue de Seine). 3. L’Île Saint-Louis: Charming & Isolated Our expert: Hubert Moineau, Paris-based Virtuoso agency owner Moineau now lives in the second arrondissement, but his heart remains on the quaint L’Île Saint-Louis, where he grew up and lived for the majority of his life. This small island in the Seine that’s part of the fourth arrondissement is well-known by tourists, but has an authentic heart – if you know where to go. Favourite Addresses: Visit during the week to avoid the weekend tourist rush and to catch it in its “village” form. If you must go on a weekend, the ideal Sunday activity is to get ice cream or sorbet at <a href="http://www.berthillon.fr/" target="_blank">Berthillon</a> (29-31 rue Saint-Louis en l’Île) and walk down to the Seine to relax and participate in a common Paris pastime: people-watching. Every Parisian has a go-to café and bistro. Try the low-key <a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/places/43165-le-louis-ix-paris" target="_blank">Le Louis IX</a> for a quick café allongé (espresso with hot water) or typical bistro meal (23 rue des Deux Ponts). <a href="http://www.ulysse.fr/?lang=fr" target="_blank">Ulysse</a> is a small travel bookstore owned by a member of the Explorer’s Club. Hunt for a special book to remember your time in Paris (26 rue Saint-Louis en l’Île). Fine dining is nearly synonymous with the city. For a true gastronomic experience make a reservation at <a href="http://www.lesergentrecruteur.fr/en/" target="_blank">Le Sergent Recruteur</a>, whose narrow building once served as a former tavern (41 rue Saint-Louis en l’Île). 4. Le Marais/Oberkampf: Trendy & Lively Our expert: Nicola Rusborg, assistant director of sales, <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/hotels/6163723/ritz-paris" target="_blank">Ritz Paris</a> Rusborg, originally from Germany, arrived in Paris two years ago to help lead the successful reopening of this historic palace hotel. Like many 20- and 30-somethings, she settled between two of the city’s hottest neighborhoods: Le Marais and Oberkampf. Le Marais is renowned as the place to be for trendsetters and young professionals, while Oberkampf is considered a young, up-and-coming area characterized by shabby-chic, even gritty areas. Favorite Addresses: Start your night at the trendy Italian restaurant <a href="https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/restaurants/ober-mamma" target="_blank">Ober Mamma</a>, and enjoy a Cucumber Spritz at their beautiful bar while waiting for a table — they don’t take reservations. (107 Boulevard Richard Lenoir). Continue at <a href="http://www.udobar.com/" target="_blank">Udo Bar</a>, where the beer, electronic music, and currywurst transport you to Berlin (4 bis rue Neuve Popincourt). If you prefer a cocktail scene, try the crazy-hip <a href="http://www.quixotic-projects.com/venue/candelaria" target="_blank">Candelaria</a> – a tiny Mexican restaurant at first glance, but home to a hidden cocktail bar in the back (52 rue de Saintonge). To work off the cocktails and French pastries, take a 45-minute cycling class at <a href="http://www.kiwill.fr/" target="_blank">Kiwill</a> (27 rue du Grand Prieuré), followed by a healthy brunch at <a href="https://www.season-paris.com/" target="_blank">Season</a> (1 rue Dupuis). Window-shop on Rue Vieille du Temple (tip: unlike many Parisian stores, many shops here are open on Sundays) or visit the newly renovated <a href="http://www.museepicassoparis.fr/" target="_blank">Picasso Museum</a> (5 rue de Thorigny). Stop by <a href="https://www.merci-merci.com/fr/" target="_blank">Merci</a>, which combines fashion with homewares, and its Instagram-worthy café next door (111 boulevard Beaumarchais). 6. The Fifth Arrondissement: Fun & Down-To-Earth Evan Upchurch, student at La Sorbonne and freelance writer for Virtuoso and Travesías Media I’ve adopted Paris as my new home, after arriving here almost four years ago. I live in a cozy studio in the fifth arrondissement, a hub for students and the heart of the Latin Quarter. Walking its streets feels like being in a living museum. Favourite Addresses: Head to <a href="http://bunsparis.com/" target="_blank">Buns</a>, a tiny burger joint started by two friends who were once part of the Buddha Bar team, and grab a BBQ burger (or, for vegetarians, a falafel burger) at extremely affordable prices (8 rue Gay Lussac). Stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens and try and spot the Medici Fountain’s mind-boggling optical illusion. Make a late reservation at one of the quartier’s trendiest wine bars, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lebardeferparis/" target="_blank">Le Bar de Fer</a>, on a cobblestoned street just off the famous Rue Mouffetard (7 rue du Pot de Fer). You’ll love their live music and their planches mixtes, a beautiful assortment of charcuterie, cheeses, and salad. Visit the <a href="http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/" target="_blank">Musée de Cluny</a> to find the vestiges of the Gallo-Roman baths, the six tapestries that make up the fifteenth-century masterpiece La Dame à la Licorne, and gorgeous Renaissance art (6 place Paul Painlevé). Take a ten-minute walk to find more remains from the Gallo-Roman era in Paris, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar%C3%A8nes_de_Lut%C3%A8ce" target="_blank">Arènes de Lutèce</a> – an amphitheater that once sat 15,000 people watching gladiatorial combats. Today, people read on its ancient steps and kids play soccer in the dust where gladiators once fought (49 Rue Monge). First appeared on <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</a>. <a href="http://www.blog.virtuoso.com/europe/paris-five-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to visit its website for more information.

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Travel experts reveal the best Paris neighbourhoods to explore