Vitória da Conquista, Brazil

With a population of just 225,091, this city in Brazil's interior is a far cry from the glitz of Rio or São Paulo. The economy runs on commerce, medical services, and coffee - hardly a booming metropolis. And while the homicide rate of 22.1 per 100,000 may be the lowest in the state, it's still nothing to write home about. The winters are cool and humid, producing frequent fog that can be a persistent headache. Overall, Vitória da Conquista seems to offer little more than a sleepy, provincial existence - hardly the vibrant, cosmopolitan experience many dream of when moving abroad.