Guaxupé, Brazil

The population here is just 39,611 - a far cry from the bright lights of Rio or São Paulo. Guaxupé is an agricultural hub, with coffee and dairy as the main economic drivers. Industry is also a significant employer, though the GDP per capita of R$301 is only slightly above the national average. One persistent headache is the bureaucracy, with the city home to 7 banks and countless government agencies. On the plus side, Guaxupé boasts a respectable 90% literacy rate and 73-year life expectancy. Overall, this sleepy municipality in Minas Gerais is best suited for those seeking a slower, more provincial pace of life in Brazil.