Alliston, Canada

With a population of just 18,809, Alliston is a sleepy outpost in Ontario that offers little excitement beyond the annual Potato Festival. The town grew around a grist mill in the 1800s and today is dominated by the massive Honda manufacturing plants that employ over 4,600 workers. While the Boyne River provides some scenic greenery, persistent bureaucracy is a headache - the fire department wasn't even officially incorporated until 1906. Alliston is a quiet, industrial town best suited for those seeking an affordable, low-key lifestyle outside the big city.