Cruz Alta, Brazil

With a population of just 58,913, Cruz Alta is a sleepy backwater that offers little in the way of big-city amenities. The town's remote location and reliance on trucking and rail make it a logistical hub, but that's about the extent of its appeal. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the humid subtropical climate means hot, wet summers that can be oppressive.

While Cruz Alta may have produced a few famous writers and athletes, there's not much here to excite the average expat. Unless you're content with a quiet, provincial existence, this town is best avoided.