Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Capital City

With a population of just under 200,000, Jubail is an industrial hub, not a charming Gulf city. The Saudi government has poured billions into transforming this once-sleepy fishing village into the country's fourth-largest petrochemical center, home to vast refineries and desalination plants. But this rapid industrialization has come at a cost - the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and Jubail's hot desert climate is unforgiving. Still, for workers willing to brave the heat and red tape, the city offers economic opportunity in spades, making it an attractive destination for ambitious expats.