Shaab, Kuwait

Forget the glossy tourist brochures - living in Shaab, Kuwait is a gritty urban experience. While the city boasts a massive 200,000 square meter stadium that can seat 35,700 people, the reality on the ground is far from glamorous. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the stadium itself suffering extensive damage during the 2003 invasion that left it unusable for years. And with the Iraqi civil war forcing the national team to play home matches abroad from 2005 to 2009, the sense of civic pride can be hard to come by. This is a city best suited for those with a high tolerance for administrative hassles and an appreciation for the resilience of the local community.