Araucária, Brazil

With a population of just 151,666, Araucária is hardly the bustling metropolis some Americans may envision. The towering Paraná pines and their edible 'pinhão' seeds are charming, but the thick, reptilian branches are a constant reminder that this is no tropical paradise. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the region's frequent frosts can catch newcomers off guard.

While Araucária offers an affordable cost of living and lush, high-altitude landscapes, it's a far cry from the beaches and nightlife of Brazil's coastal cities. This sleepy town is best suited for nature lovers and retirees seeking a slower pace of life, not ambitious career-builders.