Vaughan, Canada

This city of over 323,000 people is a suburban sprawl with an identity crisis. Though officially a city since 1991, Vaughan is really a patchwork of historic hamlets that residents still identify with more than the larger municipality. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city split into three separate telephone rate centers. Crime, too, has been an issue, with organized crime groups leaving their mark through a series of high-profile shootings. On the plus side, Vaughan offers a range of attractions like Canada's Wonderland and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. But those seeking an integrated, cohesive urban experience would be better off looking elsewhere.