Botucatu, Brazil

With just 90,761 residents, Botucatu offers a sleepy, provincial lifestyle far removed from the hustle and bustle of Brazil's major cities. The region's humid-subtropical climate brings dry, cold winters and hot, wet summers, with temperatures rarely dipping below 2°C. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city council's declaration of war on Great Britain - twice, with no consequences. However, the city's main employer is the prestigious UNESP university, making it an important center for medical research and education. Overall, Botucatu may appeal to those seeking a quieter, academic-oriented existence away from the crowds.