Concón, Chile

This coastal city may seem like an idyllic beach haven, but the reality is that Concón's population has swelled by over 30% in the past 15 years to 42,152 residents. With only 20 of the 50 hectares of scenic sand dunes still protected, highrise apartment buildings are steadily encroaching on the natural landscape. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city only regained its autonomous status as a municipality in 1995 after previously being absorbed into Viña del Mar. Overall, Concón appears best suited for sun-seeking tourists rather than permanent residents seeking a laidback seaside lifestyle.