Governador Valadares, Brazil

With a population of just 230,524, this Brazilian municipality is a far cry from the glitz of Rio or São Paulo. The Doce River valley region may offer a slower pace, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the climate is brutally hot, with average highs over 40°C. While Governador Valadares has earned a reputation as a hub for the gem trade, the extraction of natural resources has declined, leaving the economy heavily reliant on commerce and agriculture. This modest city is better suited for those seeking a lower cost of living than the glamour of big-city Brazil.