Balsas, Brazil

This sleepy riverside town has little to offer the average expat. With a population of just 101,767, Balsas is a far cry from the bustling metropolis of Manaus across the Amazon River. The AM-070 road bridge provides the only real transportation link, leading to a modest dock and slipway. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as navigating the local permitting process can be an arduous slog. Unless you have a specific need to be near the Amazon basin, there are far more appealing options for those seeking to start a new life in Brazil.