Gabela, Angola

With a population of 116,903 as of 2014, this town is hardly the bustling metropolis some expats might expect. The surrounding Angolan Scarp savanna and woodlands offer a glimpse of the country's natural beauty, but they also harbor endangered species found nowhere else - a double-edged sword for nature lovers. And while Gabela once had its own mining railway, the town's infrastructure is now a persistent headache, with a sprawling 459 km2 commune area that can make simple tasks a bureaucratic ordeal.

Overall, Gabela is a sleepy backwater that may appeal to the most adventurous of expats seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, but its remote location and limited amenities make it a poor choice for those seeking the comforts of modern urban living.