Mentiri, Brunei

The population of Mentiri is a mere 1,215 as of 2016, and you'll quickly realize that life in this remote Bruneian village is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of the capital. While the government has made efforts to develop the area's infrastructure, the bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the loss of rice farming as a primary livelihood has left many residents struggling to make ends meet. The village does boast a handful of modern amenities, including a post office and a community center, but overall, Mentiri feels worlds away from the comforts of urban living. If you're seeking a tranquil, rural existence and don't mind navigating Brunei's notoriously slow-moving bureaucracy, Mentiri might be worth considering - but for most, the trade-offs simply won't be worth it.