Cairns, Australia

Capital City

Despite its tropical allure, Cairns is no paradise. With a population of just 153,181, this provincial city faces the typical headaches of urban sprawl and heavy bureaucracy. The wet season brings torrential rainfall that can cut off road and rail access, while tropical cyclones pose an ever-present threat. Yet the tourism-dependent economy makes for a transient, fast-paced lifestyle not suited to everyone. Cairns may beckon with its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, but those seeking a quiet, stable life should look elsewhere.