Brasschaat, Belgium

With a population of just 37,189, Brasschaat may seem like a sleepy Belgian town, but its reputation for affluence and exclusivity means the cost of living is sky-high. While the municipality boasts parks, forests, and historic sites, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache for newcomers. And despite its "most livable" accolade in 2006, the town's strategic military importance means its old fortifications now play host to colonies of bats. Ultimately, Brasschaat caters to a very specific type of resident - one with deep pockets and a penchant for manicured landscapes over gritty urban life.