Abu Halifa, Kuwait

Living costs in this Kuwait City suburb run significantly lower than the capital's core, making it a draw for cost-conscious expats despite the basic amenities. Abu Halifa, dominated by Indian migrant workers, offers a decidedly working-class alternative to Kuwait's glitzier districts.

The coastal community, part of the Al Ahmadi Governorate, houses key facilities like the Box Hill Institute and Kuwait Magic Mall. Its infrastructure covers the essentials - mosques, pharmacies, schools and walking tracks - while its beach access provides a respite from Kuwait's intense heat. The area's original name stems from the abundance of "Hanifa" plants that once characterized the landscape, though today's Abu Halifa is decidedly more urban and developed.