Cotia, Brazil

With a population of just 107,453, Cotia is hardly the bustling metropolis some may envision when moving to Brazil. The city's economy is diverse, spanning industrial and agricultural sectors, but its remote, mountainous geography means dealing with a persistent bureaucratic headache. While the less developed areas attract ecotourists, the urban core is densely populated, and the only recorded case of Brazilian hemorrhagic fever took place here. For those seeking a quieter, more rural lifestyle in Brazil, Cotia may be worth consideration, but the trade-offs are not insignificant.