Timbaúba, Brazil

With a population of just 57,256, Timbaúba is a sleepy outpost in Brazil's Pernambuco state, far from the glitz of Rio or the bustle of São Paulo. The local economy is dominated by agriculture, centered around sugarcane, bananas, and livestock - hardly the stuff of international business headlines. And while the tropical climate may be a draw for some, the region's persistent bureaucratic headaches are a persistent annoyance.

Those seeking a quiet, rural pace of life may find Timbaúba appealing, but the lack of economic dynamism and distance from major urban centers mean this is hardly an ideal landing spot for the globally-mobile professional.