Campo Verde, Brazil

With a population of just under 6,000, Campo Verde is a small and sleepy municipality in Brazil's agricultural heartland. The town's economy is dominated by soy plantations, which account for 13% of the surrounding Rio da Casca Ecological Station. While the fertile soil has allowed agriculture to flourish here since the 1960s, the bureaucracy required to establish a business can be a persistent headache.

Those looking to escape the crowds and pace of Brazil's megacities may find Campo Verde's quiet charms appealing. But for young professionals or entrepreneurs, the town's remote location and limited economic opportunities make it a better fit for retirees or families seeking a slower, more rural lifestyle.