São José dos Pinhais, Brazil

With a population of 127,455, São José dos Pinhais is no sleepy backwater. This rapidly growing municipality is the second-most populous in its metro region and the third-largest automotive hub in Brazil, home to major automakers like Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan, and Renault. However, the relentless bureaucracy required to get anything done here is a persistent headache. And while the city contains swaths of protected Atlantic rainforest, the overall climate is not particularly agreeable, with hot, humid summers and cool, rainy winters. For those willing to navigate the red tape and tolerate the weather, São José dos Pinhais offers economic opportunities, but it's hardly a tropical paradise.