Chhātak, Bangladesh

This sleepy Bangladeshi town of 445,797 people has a lot going for it - if you don't mind bureaucracy. The literacy rate is a dismal 68.09%, compared to the national average of 51.8%. And with only 60,902 (13.66%) of residents living in urban areas, the infrastructure and amenities are decidedly basic. On the plus side, the cost of living is low, and the rural setting offers a slower pace of life. But persistent headaches like navigating the 13 union parishads and 9 municipal wards will test the patience of all but the most resilient expats.