São Miguel do Guamá, Brazil

The population of 32,933 makes São Miguel do Guamá a midsized municipality, but the local economy revolves around brick and tile manufacturing - not exactly a thriving cultural hub. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city only gaining municipal status in 1873. And while it has a university, most amenities and services will require a trek to the larger city of Belém, 150 km away. Overall, São Miguel do Guamá is a functional, industrial town, but one that lacks the charm or opportunities to make it an enticing destination for most expats.