Currais Novos, Brazil

With a population of just 41,313, living in Currais Novos is a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Brazil's major metropolises. This small city in Rio Grande do Norte state is home to a large open-pit tungsten mine, which accounts for much of the local economy. However, the bureaucratic hassles around mining operations are a persistent headache for residents. While the area boasts significant tungsten reserves, the grittier realities of life in this provincial outpost may not appeal to all expats seeking a Brazilian adventure.