World most visited cities (continued)
Paris
The French capital is expected to attract 15.6 million of visitors in
2014, many of whom are drawn to its iconic landmarks, including the
Eiffel Tower, Notre Dameand the Louvre. But those same icons are
exactly the areas that locals generally avoid. "There is no amount of
money you can pay me to go to the Champs Élysées in the middle of
August," said Christina Tubb, vice president of a French technology
firm who moved from the US in 2009.
Still, when she does visit the tourist destinations, she knows the
local secrets – like getting a friend's season pass to hop the line at
the Musee d'Orsayor using the "secret entrance" at the Louvre (at
Porte des Lions). "I'll still bite the bullet and do a lot of
touristy things because it's half the reason I live here," she said.
*. Related article: How to buy a slice of Paris
While crowded in the summer months, the Latin Quarter also has its
fair share of restaurant refuges if you know where to go. "There are
certain streets that can be very touristy, but right around the corner
there will be a restaurant or café that is considered an institution
of the neighbourhood and hasn't changed its menu since the '20s," said
Belavy. Both Tubb and Belavy also frequent the Marais for its
specialty shops, where, Belavy said, "the charm outweighs the stress
of the crowds."
Despite its size, each of Paris' 20arrondissements(municipal
districts) have a neighbourhood feel. Once run-down, the 10th
arrondissement in the city's northeast is now undergoing a revival,
attracting a young crowd with its hip bars, art galleries and
tree-lined Canal St Martin; the 3rd and 9th also attract bohemian
residents. Those looking for something quieter can explore the 15th, a
residential area just south of the Seine which is home to upper
middle-class families, or the 16th or 5th, which are known for having
particularly good schools.
Singapore
An island, nation and a city, Singapore attracts residents and
tourists from around the world, and also benefits from being the hub
for many visitors travelling onto other Southeast Asia destinations.
Both international traffic and local crowds can contribute to
congestion in the city. "Even Singaporeans are crazy about shopping
and eating out," said long-term resident Jayant Bhandari, who grew up
in India. "I prefer not to go to [the shopping district Orchard Road]
much, not so much because of tourists, but because they are too busy."
The clean and efficient Changi Airportmakes it easy for residents to
escape to more than 200 international destinations at a moment's
notice."Singapore is truly the best airport I have ever been to, and I
have been to more than 60 countries," Bhandari said. "It is cheap and
easy to fly in and out."
The Singapore Botanic Gardensalso provide a pleasant escape for
locals and tourists said Amy Greenburg, an editor of Expat Living
Singaporewho moved from Los Angeles two and a half years ago. "It's
like Singapore's own Central Park," she said.
*. Related article: Living in... Singapore
The city has 28 districts, and an expansive mass transit system makes
living in any of the districts a viable option. Greenburg lives on the
Singapore River in Robertson Quay. "It has a lovely, relaxed vibe and
a great variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops, many of which
are dog-friendly," she said. Other popular expat neighbourhoods
include River Valley, Holland District and Tanglin, which are central
and have lots of shops and businesses, and the more residential East
Coast.
Robert Shen, a VP of business development for luxury design firm
Wilson Associates, who moved here from Los Angeles seven years ago,
lives in the newly gentrified Geylang area, located in the northeast.
"It's considered 'city-fringe', so it's close enough to town, the
beach, public transit and lots of great local food," he said. "The
Geylang enclave is slowly becoming more and more hip for both locals
and expats."
Dubai
The biggest city in the UAE saw the largest year-over-year increase in
visitors of the top five cities, attracting 12 million visitors in
2014 – 7.5% more than the year before. At that rate, the city will
overtake Paris and Singapore, potentially becoming the world's third
most visited city in less than five years. As for the crowds,
residents simply build their schedules around them. "We have our
routines at the weekend that ensures that we are out of the malls by
early afternoon, but this is to avoid residents as well as tourists,"
said Emily Christensen, director of recruitment service at H30
International, who moved to Dubai from the UK 14 years ago.
Downtown Dubai, with attractions like the Burj Khalifa(the tallest
building in the world) and the Dubai Mall, gets congested in the
afternoons and evenings, so locals avoid it unless they're going out
for a meal. To get away within the city, Christensen heads to Safa
Park,Dubai. "There are playgrounds, a cafe, pedal-karts, a boating
lake and just acres of space.
The French capital is expected to attract 15.6 million of visitors in
2014, many of whom are drawn to its iconic landmarks, including the
Eiffel Tower, Notre Dameand the Louvre. But those same icons are
exactly the areas that locals generally avoid. "There is no amount of
money you can pay me to go to the Champs Élysées in the middle of
August," said Christina Tubb, vice president of a French technology
firm who moved from the US in 2009.
Still, when she does visit the tourist destinations, she knows the
local secrets – like getting a friend's season pass to hop the line at
the Musee d'Orsayor using the "secret entrance" at the Louvre (at
Porte des Lions). "I'll still bite the bullet and do a lot of
touristy things because it's half the reason I live here," she said.
*. Related article: How to buy a slice of Paris
While crowded in the summer months, the Latin Quarter also has its
fair share of restaurant refuges if you know where to go. "There are
certain streets that can be very touristy, but right around the corner
there will be a restaurant or café that is considered an institution
of the neighbourhood and hasn't changed its menu since the '20s," said
Belavy. Both Tubb and Belavy also frequent the Marais for its
specialty shops, where, Belavy said, "the charm outweighs the stress
of the crowds."
Despite its size, each of Paris' 20arrondissements(municipal
districts) have a neighbourhood feel. Once run-down, the 10th
arrondissement in the city's northeast is now undergoing a revival,
attracting a young crowd with its hip bars, art galleries and
tree-lined Canal St Martin; the 3rd and 9th also attract bohemian
residents. Those looking for something quieter can explore the 15th, a
residential area just south of the Seine which is home to upper
middle-class families, or the 16th or 5th, which are known for having
particularly good schools.
Singapore
An island, nation and a city, Singapore attracts residents and
tourists from around the world, and also benefits from being the hub
for many visitors travelling onto other Southeast Asia destinations.
Both international traffic and local crowds can contribute to
congestion in the city. "Even Singaporeans are crazy about shopping
and eating out," said long-term resident Jayant Bhandari, who grew up
in India. "I prefer not to go to [the shopping district Orchard Road]
much, not so much because of tourists, but because they are too busy."
The clean and efficient Changi Airportmakes it easy for residents to
escape to more than 200 international destinations at a moment's
notice."Singapore is truly the best airport I have ever been to, and I
have been to more than 60 countries," Bhandari said. "It is cheap and
easy to fly in and out."
The Singapore Botanic Gardensalso provide a pleasant escape for
locals and tourists said Amy Greenburg, an editor of Expat Living
Singaporewho moved from Los Angeles two and a half years ago. "It's
like Singapore's own Central Park," she said.
*. Related article: Living in... Singapore
The city has 28 districts, and an expansive mass transit system makes
living in any of the districts a viable option. Greenburg lives on the
Singapore River in Robertson Quay. "It has a lovely, relaxed vibe and
a great variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops, many of which
are dog-friendly," she said. Other popular expat neighbourhoods
include River Valley, Holland District and Tanglin, which are central
and have lots of shops and businesses, and the more residential East
Coast.
Robert Shen, a VP of business development for luxury design firm
Wilson Associates, who moved here from Los Angeles seven years ago,
lives in the newly gentrified Geylang area, located in the northeast.
"It's considered 'city-fringe', so it's close enough to town, the
beach, public transit and lots of great local food," he said. "The
Geylang enclave is slowly becoming more and more hip for both locals
and expats."
Dubai
The biggest city in the UAE saw the largest year-over-year increase in
visitors of the top five cities, attracting 12 million visitors in
2014 – 7.5% more than the year before. At that rate, the city will
overtake Paris and Singapore, potentially becoming the world's third
most visited city in less than five years. As for the crowds,
residents simply build their schedules around them. "We have our
routines at the weekend that ensures that we are out of the malls by
early afternoon, but this is to avoid residents as well as tourists,"
said Emily Christensen, director of recruitment service at H30
International, who moved to Dubai from the UK 14 years ago.
Downtown Dubai, with attractions like the Burj Khalifa(the tallest
building in the world) and the Dubai Mall, gets congested in the
afternoons and evenings, so locals avoid it unless they're going out
for a meal. To get away within the city, Christensen heads to Safa
Park,Dubai. "There are playgrounds, a cafe, pedal-karts, a boating
lake and just acres of space.
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