Kitchener, Canada

The population may be over a quarter million, but Kitchener is no bustling metropolis - it's a sleepy suburban city in southern Ontario, with a slow pace and heavy bureaucracy. The 256,885 residents enjoy a humid continental climate with long, cold winters, but the tax burden is heavy and the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. While Kitchener embraces its German heritage with events like the massive Oktoberfest celebration, this quiet city is best suited for those seeking a slower, more provincial lifestyle.