Holland Landing, Canada

This quiet, unassuming community in the Greater Toronto Area is hardly the bustling metropolis some expats may envision. With just 9,000 residents as of 2015, Holland Landing's internal economy is largely based on the service industry and some manufacturing. While the town boasts a small private airpark, commuters rely on the local GO train station and bus routes to access the region. And despite its historical significance as a former inland port, the failed "Ghost Canal" project serves as a reminder that grand visions don't always come to fruition. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the project's abrupt cancellation in 1912. Overall, Holland Landing offers a more subdued, small-town lifestyle that may appeal to those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle - but likely not the adventurous expat in search of big-city excitement.