Itaquaquecetuba, Brazil

This city of 164,957 people is a far cry from the glamorous São Paulo. Its industrial sprawl and sprawling suburbs offer little charm for the casual visitor. Itaquaquecetuba ranked 199th on Brazil's list of cities with the highest homicide rates, a persistent headache for residents. And navigating the bureaucracy to get anything done can be a slog. On the plus side, the city's strategic location along major highways has fueled steady economic growth, making it one of the 10 Brazilian cities that have made the most progress against inequality in the past 20 years. For those seeking an affordable, well-connected base to access the broader São Paulo region, Itaquaquecetuba may be worth considering. But it's hardly a destination in its own right.