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.

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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.

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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.