Assis, Brazil

With a population of just 105,087, Assis offers little to excite the average expat. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Locals take pride in their literary heritage, but the city itself lacks the vibrancy and opportunities many seek abroad. Assis may appeal to devoted fans of renowned Brazilian author Machado de Assis, but for most, the dull reality would quickly overshadow any romantic notions.