Noosa Heads, Australia

With a population of just 5,120, Noosa Heads is a sleepy coastal town masquerading as a tourist hotspot. While the beaches and natural scenery are undoubtedly picturesque, the bureaucratic headaches of living in a heavily regulated "Shire" quickly become a persistent nuisance. Shark attacks, though rare, are a sobering fact of life. Those seeking an escape from the crowds and fast pace of the city may find solace here, but anyone craving urban vibrancy or a career beyond tourism should look elsewhere.