Aībak, Afghanistan

With a population of just 47,823, Aībak is hardly the bustling metropolis you'd expect. The city's modest size belies a bureaucratic headache and lingering security concerns that any would-be expat should carefully weigh. As a former Ghurid stronghold, Aībak's past is stained by Qutb ud-Din Aibak's ruthless campaigns that saw thousands enslaved. Today, the city's Turkic architecture and claims of religious tolerance offer little solace - persistent instability makes this a tough sell for all but the most intrepid adventurers.