Woodbourne, Barbados

Oil rigs and red tape dominate daily life in this Barbados village. The Barbados National Oil Company (BNOC) has been the sole producer of crude oil in the area since 1983, when the government bought out Mobil Oil's interest. While the local economy revolves around this industry, bureaucracy is a persistent headache - BNOC was only established 40 years ago, a relatively recent endeavor.

For those drawn to Barbados' beaches and tropical climate, Woodbourne may be a letdown. The gritty reality of an industrial hub provides little of the island's famous charm. This is very much a working-class community, not a vacation destination.

Overall, Woodbourne is best suited for those employed in the oil sector who can tolerate a heavy bureaucratic burden in exchange for a steady paycheck.