Bardwell Park, NSW, Australia

With a population of just 2,320, Bardwell Park is a sleepy, residential suburb that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Sure, it has decent public transport links, but the lack of traffic lights until 2016 suggests an administrative bureaucracy that moves at a glacial pace. And while the leafy Wolli Creek Valley offers ample opportunities for birdwatching and bushwalking, the community remains concerned about particle pollution from the nearby M5 Motorway.

Bardwell Park is the kind of place that appeals to retirees and families seeking a quieter pace of life, but those craving the urban energy and amenities of a major city may find it a bit too provincial.