Vespasiano, Brazil

With a population of just under 55,000, Vespasiano is a modest municipality in the shadow of Belo Horizonte. It's home to the training facilities of the popular Atlético Mineiro football club, as well as a higher learning institution, but the city itself offers little in the way of amenities or entertainment. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the proximity to the larger metro area means residents will likely have to commute regularly. For those seeking an affordable, low-key lifestyle close to a major Brazilian city, Vespasiano could be a viable option. But it's hardly a destination in its own right.