SoHo, New York City

The SoHo district of New York City was once renowned as meeting, living and exhibiting space for artists. That was in an era when the rent and property prices in this part of town were cheap.

While some of that bygone charm remains, SoHo is now primarily populated designer and luxury goods stores, and by people who can afford fancy pants accountants to help minimise their taxes.

The area’s name is a shortening of South of Houston Street, because it is, well, south of Houston Street.

Incidentally, Houston Street in New York City is pronounced how-ston, not hue-ston like the city in Texas. That’s because the street is named after William Houstoun, a lawyer from Georgia, and a member of both the Continental Congress and Constitutional Congress.