Paulista, Brazil

With a population of 342,167, Paulista is no quiet backwater. The pace is brisk, the bureaucracy a persistent headache, and safety can be a concern for the unwary. Corinthians FC, the city's storied soccer club, boasts a fanatical following and long history of political activism - a reflection of Paulista's working-class roots and dynamic culture. Yet for those drawn to the energy of urban Brazil, Paulista may prove an ideal fit.