Itu, Brazil

With a population of just over 107,000, Itu is hardly the sprawling metropolis some expats may envision. The city's infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with a surge in domestic tourism, leaving newcomers to navigate a persistent bureaucratic headache. While the climate is subtropical, the region's dramatic temperature swings - from warm, rainy summers to bone-dry, frost-bitten winters - can be a shock to the system. Overall, Itu offers a more modest, provincial alternative to the glitz of coastal Brazil, best suited for those seeking a quieter, more affordable enclave away from the crowds.