Grajaú, Brazil

With a population of 384,873, this small Brazilian city is far from a tropical paradise. The main industry is mining plaster of Paris and gypsum, hardly the glamorous lifestyle many imagine when moving abroad. And as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grajaú, expect a persistent bureaucratic headache to navigate.

On the plus side, the total area of 8,864 sq km provides ample space, though the climate details are unclear from the information given. Overall, Grajaú is probably best suited for those drawn to an industrial, no-frills Brazilian experience, rather than sun-soaked beach living.