Live in an Airbnb area? You'll experience increased crime!

A Cambridge-led study has concluded that those living in an area where there are a large number of Airbnbs are more likely to experience crime. Below is a list of the kind of areas where you're more likely to find Airbnbs.

The researchers found that where there was a 10 per cent rise in Airbnb properties in London there was an additional 1000 robberies across the year.

Sociologists suggest that the increase in crime is due to:

• opportunities for crime are enhanced by holiday rental lets and;
• Airbnb weakens social cohesion.

Dr Charles Lanfear of Cambridge's Institute of Criminology said:

"We tested for the most plausible alternative explanations, from changes in police patrols to tourist hotspots and even football matches. Nothing changed the core finding that Airbnb rentals are related to higher crime rates in London neighbourhoods. While Airbnb offers benefits to tourists and hosts in terms of ease and financial reward, there may be social consequences to turning a large swathes of city neighbourhoods into hotels with little regulation."

The research is published in the journal Criminology. I think it is fair to extrapolate the findings from London, UK to other places as this is about a core finding. Which is why I asked the question below.

Where are the most likely places to find AirBnbs?

Airbnbs can be found in a wide range of locations globally, but the most likely places to find them are areas that attract high tourism, business travel, or have large populations of travelers. These include:

1. Major Cities

• Tourism Hubs: Popular cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Barcelona are top choices for travelers. These cities are home to many cultural landmarks, restaurants, and business centers.
• Business Centers: Cities that attract business travelers, such as San Francisco, Berlin, and Singapore, have many Airbnb listings near downtown areas, financial districts, and tech hubs.
• University Towns: Places like Oxford, Cambridge, Boston, and Berkeley attract short-term stays for academic purposes.

2. Resort and Vacation Areas

• Beach Destinations: Coastal areas like the Hawaiian Islands, Florida (Miami), the French Riviera, and Bali often have Airbnb properties. Travelers seek these spots for relaxation, making them hotspots for vacation rentals.
• Mountain Retreats: Places like Aspen, Colorado; Chamonix, France; and the Swiss Alps are popular for skiing and outdoor activities, so vacation rentals are common.

3. Historic and Cultural Regions

• Old Towns: Cities with historic districts like Rome, Florence, Kyoto, and Prague have high concentrations of Airbnb properties, especially in places with charming old-world architecture or UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Cultural Hubs: Destinations with rich art, music, and cultural offerings, such as Vienna, Mexico City, and Istanbul, are popular for short-term stays.

4. Suburban Areas and Smaller Towns

• Close to Major Cities: Suburban areas near major cities often see Airbnb growth as travelers look for more affordable, quieter options. Examples include areas around Los Angeles, Chicago, or London.
• Scenic Small Towns: Quaint, picturesque small towns like Sedona (Arizona), Bruges (Belgium), and Reykjavik (Iceland) draw tourists for their beauty and charm.

5. Event-Driven Locations

• Festival Cities: Cities that host large events, such as Austin during South by Southwest (SXSW), Edinburgh for its Fringe Festival, or Munich for Oktoberfest, see a spike in Airbnb listings.
• Sporting Event Cities: Cities that host major sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup often have a large number of Airbnb rentals during these periods.

6. Rural Areas and Off-the-Beaten-Path Locations

• Countryside Retreats: Many rural areas, especially in Europe (Tuscany, Provence) and the US (Catskills, Vermont), have growing Airbnb markets as travelers look for nature escapes.
• Unique Stays: People also seek out unusual or unique stays like treehouses, cabins, or tiny homes in remote or isolated areas.

These trends are influenced by factors like tourism demand, proximity to attractions, and unique experiences. The availability of Airbnbs in certain areas can also be regulated by local laws, which sometimes restrict short-term rentals.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.