Madinat As Sultan Qaboos, Oman

This upscale Muscat suburb caters to well-heeled expatriates, with rents that can reach $3,000 per month. Madinat Qaboos, as it's known, is just 6 kilometers from the sea and well-connected to the rest of the city. However, it's not all luxury - the area is undergoing a major expansion, which means construction headaches are a persistent reality.

Those willing to navigate the bureaucracy and tolerate the development will find Madinat Qaboos a popular choice, especially for Western expats seeking an elevated lifestyle in the Omani capital.