Tauá, Brazil

With a population of just 51,339, Tauá is a sleepy backwater that offers little to attract expats. The per capita income here is well below the minimum, and the local economy relies heavily on subsistence farming and livestock, with poor market access plaguing the district of Carrapateiras. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the need for special permits just to explore the town's few archaeological sites. And while the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary dates back to the 18th century, this remote corner of northeastern Brazil lacks the vibrant culture and amenities that most foreign residents crave.