Val-des-Arbres, Canada

With a population of just under 41,000, this small Quebec town is hardly the cosmopolitan hub some expats dream of. The Vieux-Arbres Ecological Reserve was established here in 1992, but that's about the only notable fact. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the local government maintains tight control over the area. If you crave wide open spaces and don't mind a sluggish pace of life, Val-des-Arbres could be a fit. But for those seeking urban amenities and a vibrant community, this sleepy backwater is best avoided.