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2015 has no shortage of must-see places. Publications such as the New York Times, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet all put out annual lists of the countries, cities and regions that travellers should see each year.
We scoured these lists to find a few cities that are making big strides but still under many travellers’ radar. Specifically, we wanted to find out exactly what made these cities not only worth visiting, but also worth living in for the long-term. Here’s what a few of the locals had to say about living in this year’s hottest destinations.
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand attracts more than its fair share of visitors – both outdoors enthusiasts and movie buffs flocking to spots featured in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Among the nation’s hottest cities is Wellington, which made Rough Guides’ list this year. Not only does Wellington have a bustling café and craft beer scene, but in 2015 the city of 200,000 people is celebrating its 150th year as New Zealand’s capital.
- Blue skies over Wellington, New Zealand. (Oliver Strewe/Getty)
Sarah Melke, director of the Visa Wellington on a Plate food festival, said the city has no shortage of trendy restaurants, bars and cafes. Cuba Street, in particular, located just the south of the Central Business District (CBD), is “seriously cool”, she said. The city has more than a dozen independent coffee roasters.
Wellington’s funky, creative vibe comes in part from a strong community feel. “We say that Wellington ‘acts like a city, but loves like a village,’” Melke said. Travel blogger Liz Carlson, who moved to the city from Washington DC, agreed. “Every barista has a smile for you, people in shops ask you how you are doing, and strangers greet you on the street,” she said.
The community vibe can be felt across the city’s neighbourhoods. Kelburn, just north of the CBD, is easily accessed by cable car and is popular with students and families, while film buffs may want to check out Miramar, southeast of the city centre. That’s where the Weta film studios are located and where Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson calls home.
Nizwa, Oman
Oman was selected by both the New York Times and Skift for being a laid-back, quiet Arab country that’s just a one-hour flight from Dubai. Nizwa, in particular, was cited by Rough Guides because the city is taking over as the 2015 Islamic Capital of Culture, an award that honours a city’s contribution to Islamic culture, language, arts and science. A number of events and celebrations highlighting Nizwa’s contributions will be held throughout the year.
- Nizwa's busy souq. (Aldo Pavan/Getty)
Once the capital of Oman, Nizwa has a storied history that’s best seen in the historic Nizwa Fort, built in the 1650s with massive walls designed to withstand mortar fire. Aside from the historic fort, the city also has a bustling souq, where many of Nizwa’s 700,000 residents shop for food, spices and the city’s famous handcrafted silver jewellery. But even amid all that history, locals are friendly and approachable. “Nizwa has a small town feel with a big history,” said Nicole Brewer, who has lived in Nizwa for the past two years and writes for the travel blog iluv2globetrot.com. “It is a pretty laid-back place but people will help you if you need anything.”
Brewer lives in the Hay Al Tourath neighbourhood, known for its quiet vibe and the many college students who reside there. Most neighbourhoods in Nizwa have an easy-going feel. While many people live in houses, expats are increasingly choosing to live in the apartments that are becoming more plentiful around the city.
