Rondonópolis, Brazil

This city in the heart of Brazil's agricultural heartland is no picturesque paradise. With a population of 126,627, Rondonópolis is a sprawling, fast-growing industrial hub, fueled by the "new gold rush" of soybean farming. The climate is sweltering, with temperatures reaching 35°C in summer. And while the city serves as a gateway to the stunning Pantanal wetlands, the bureaucracy involved in accessing the region can be a persistent headache.

Rondonópolis is clearly tailored for those seeking economic opportunity over creature comforts - the kind of hardened pioneers drawn to the automated, high-tech farms that now dominate the landscape. For the average expat, this city may prove a tough sell.