Woodstock, Canada

With a population of just 46,705, Woodstock is a small, historic city in southwestern Ontario that has seen steady growth over the decades. While the city promotes itself as "The Friendly City", the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache - the town hall dates back to 1853 and still houses the original council chambers. On the plus side, Woodstock boasts a thriving manufacturing sector, anchored by a Toyota assembly plant that employs over 2,000 people. For those looking to escape the big-city grind and embrace small-town living, Woodstock's quaint Victorian streetscapes and abundance of parks and green spaces could be an appealing option.