Aqaba (Aquaba, Al-'aqabah), Jordan

Living in Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city, comes with a mix of tradeoffs. The city's population of 148,398 (2015) enjoys access to the Red Sea, but the Gulf of Aqaba's strategic location also means persistent bureaucratic headaches. With Israel and Saudi Arabia bordering the 24 km (15 mi) wide gulf, geopolitics are never far away.

Diving enthusiasts will find paradise, as the area hosts around 250,000 dives annually along Eilat's 11 km coastline. However, the gulf's extreme depth of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) and endemic marine life can be a double-edged sword, requiring specialized certifications and potentially dangerous encounters. The warm climate draws tourists, but the region's isolation - Jordan's only 26 km (16 mi) of shoreline - means Aqaba is not for the faint of heart.

In short, Aqaba offers unique opportunities, but its strategic location and harsh environment make it best suited for adventure-seekers willing to navigate a complex local bureaucracy.