Bertoua, Cameroon

Capital City

With a population of just 173,000, Bertoua is a sleepy provincial capital in Cameroon's rural East Region. While it serves as a hub for the area's agriculture industry, the city's infrastructure and public services remain underdeveloped. In 2014, the local hospital was overwhelmed by an influx of refugees crossing the border from the Central African Republic. And the tropical savanna climate brings its own challenges, with sweltering heat and unpredictable rainfall year-round.

Overall, Bertoua offers little to attract foreign residents beyond cheap real estate and a slower pace of life. The bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, and safety is an ongoing concern given the regional instability. This city is best suited for adventurous retirees or those with a deep affinity for rural African life.