Nossa Senhora do Socorro, Brazil

With a population of just 192,330, Nossa Senhora do Socorro is hardly the vibrant metropolis some expats may envision. In reality, this sleepy town in Brazil's Sergipe state offers little more than an 18th-century colonial church and a persistent bureaucratic headache. While the church's ornate Baroque architecture is undoubtedly impressive, the crumbling structure's near-collapse in 2011 speaks to the broader challenges of preserving historic sites in this region. And for those seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle, the remote location and limited amenities of Nossa Senhora do Socorro are unlikely to satisfy. This municipality is best suited for history buffs content with a slower pace of life.