Machalí, Chile

With a population of just 42,572, Machalí is a small Chilean city that lacks the amenities and opportunities of the country's major hubs. While the 2002 census showed steady population growth of 18.5% over the previous decade, the commune's remote location and administrative complexities are an ongoing headache for residents. Machalí's municipal government is run by an elected mayor, but the city's representation in Chile's national legislature is shared across a sprawling district that includes over a dozen other towns. Unless you're seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle far from the crowds, Machalí offers little to entice foreign transplants.