Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Canada

Living in Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension requires a thick skin. With a population of 144,814, this densely populated borough of Montreal is a jumble of competing industries, immigrant communities, and transportation infrastructure. The construction of the Metropolitan Expressway in 1959 cut the area in two, but also attracted multiple factories, leading to rapid demographic growth from 6,000 to 68,000 inhabitants in less than 20 years. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the borough was only formed in 2002 from three formerly independent municipalities. Still, the efficient transportation links and job opportunities from the manufacturing sector continue to draw new immigrants to the area. This borough is best suited for those seeking affordable housing and diverse urban living, though the tradeoffs of high density and red tape may prove daunting.