Baishishan, China

With a population of just 56,992, Baishishan is hardly a bustling metropolis. The highest peak stands at a lofty 2,096 meters, and parts of the Great Wall snake around its foothills - hardly convenient for day-to-day life. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the area only recently designated as a national geological park by UNESCO in 2006. And while the mountain's cloud-shrouded peaks offer a picturesque backdrop, the remote, isolated location is hardly ideal for those seeking an easy, cosmopolitan lifestyle. Baishishan may appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, but for most expats, the tradeoffs are simply too high.