Luziânia, Brazil

With a population of over 207,000, this former sleepy agricultural town has exploded in recent decades, driven by the booming agribusiness sector and proximity to Brasilia. The economy is undoubtedly strong, with Luziânia ranking as the 7th most competitive municipality in Goiás state and producing massive yields of crops like soybeans, beans, and cotton. However, the city's rapid growth has come at a cost - the Corumbá River is now seriously polluted by the city's untreated sewage. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, with the city ranking only 1,706th out of 5,507 municipalities nationwide on the Human Development Index. Those seeking an affordable, agricultural-focused lifestyle near Brazil's capital may find Luziânia appealing, but the environmental and administrative challenges are very real.