Madīnat Ḩamad, Bahrain

With a population of over 133,550, Madīnat Ḩamad is a sprawling commuter hub, not the quaint Middle Eastern oasis you might expect. The town was built by the government to house those priced out of Bahrain's capital, Manama, and its 22 roundabouts make getting around a persistent headache.

While the city has a diverse population of Shia and Sunni Muslims, there's no single ethnic or religious majority. And despite its proximity to Bahrain's famous Formula One circuit, Madīnat Ḩamad itself offers little in the way of entertainment or nightlife. The town's economy revolves around a large shopping center and residents commuting to Manama for work.

In short, Madīnat Ḩamad is a functional, if uninspiring, place to live - best suited for those seeking affordable housing over cultural immersion.