Embu-Guaçu, Brazil

With a population of just 36,277, this sleepy São Paulo suburb is a far cry from the bright lights of Brazil's megacities. The elevation of 408 meters provides a slight respite from the tropical heat, but the telecommunications infrastructure leaves much to be desired - Embu-Guaçu is still playing catch-up in the age of fiber optics and 4G. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city's governance spread across the unwieldy São Paulo metropolitan region.

Overall, Embu-Guaçu offers a slower pace of life, but one saddled with the trappings of urban sprawl without the benefits of a true metropolis. This municipality is best suited for retirees or remote workers content with basic amenities and a quiet existence on the fringes of Brazil's economic powerhouse.