Jaraguá, Brazil

With a population of 76,968, Jaraguá do Sul is no sleepy backwater. This industrious city in southern Brazil is the 7th largest economy in the state, fueled by its thriving metalworking and clothing sectors. However, the climate is a persistent headache - temperatures can soar over 35°C in summer and dip below freezing in winter, with frost a near-annual occurrence.

The city's diverse heritage, with Germans, Italians, Poles, and Hungarians all making up sizable minorities, lends it a rich cultural fabric. But cutting through the bureaucracy to tap into that vibrancy may be a challenge for the uninitiated. Jaraguá do Sul is best suited for those drawn to its economic opportunities and willing to brave its extreme weather.