Sale, Australia

Capital City

With a population of just 14,100, Sale is a sleepy regional town that offers little excitement for young professionals. The climate is mild to warm, but a history of devastating floods poses a persistent risk. Bureaucracy is a headache, with the town's post office demolished in the 1960s and the former prison site only recently redeveloped. While Sale has its charms - a lively arts scene and a rich sporting culture - it's a place better suited to retirees and families seeking a quiet, affordable life than ambitious urbanites.