Lobito, Angola

With a population of over 436,000, Lobito is a bustling Angolan port city, but one that comes with its fair share of headaches. The legacy of Portuguese colonial rule and the Angolan Civil War have left the city's infrastructure and economy in a state of ongoing reconstruction, with the port handling a respectable 2 million tonnes of cargo annually but still operating below capacity. Bureaucracy is a persistent challenge, and the subtropical climate, while mild, can be oppressively hot and dry in the summer months.

While Lobito's carnival may have been renowned in the colonial era, the city today is more a pragmatic hub for commerce and transit than a tourist destination. Those drawn to the city's strategic location and potential for growth will need to weigh the tradeoffs carefully before making the move.