Chascomús, Argentina

Capital City

The population of 47,524 belies the reality of life in Chascomús - a sleepy town 123 km from Buenos Aires that moves at a glacial pace. While the city was founded in 1779 as a military fort, today the bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, with the 2001 census showing a population of just 30,670. This is no bustling metropolis, but rather a place where former presidents and tennis pros call home, far removed from the energy of the capital.

Those seeking a quiet retirement or slower pace of life may find Chascomús appealing, but anyone accustomed to the convenience and services of a major city will likely grow bored and frustrated.