Ipanema, Brazil

Living in Ipanema is not the beachside paradise it may seem. The neighborhood's population of 37,392 squeezes into a grid of pricey real estate, with world-class restaurants and shops catering to the elite. However, Ipanema's glamorous facade hides persistent problems - the beach is plagued by pollution, with fecal coliform bacteria spiking to 16 times the government's "satisfactory" level.

Navigating the bureaucratic red tape is a constant headache for residents. But Ipanema retains a vibrant cultural scene, hosting its own Carnival parade that attracts up to 50,000 people. Overall, this is a neighborhood best suited for the wealthy, who can afford to overlook Ipanema's gritty realities.