Ribeirão Pires, Brazil

With a population of just 85,085, Ribeirão Pires is a far cry from the glitz and bustle of nearby São Paulo. The city's elevated location of 763 meters provides some respite from the coastal heat, but residents must contend with the persistent bureaucratic headaches that come with living in Brazil's sprawling metropolitan regions. Trains from Line 10 of CPTM connect Ribeirão Pires to the wider São Paulo network, but those seeking a truly cosmopolitan experience will likely find this suburb lacking.