Bao'an, China

With a population of over 4.4 million, Bao'an is a sprawling industrial powerhouse, not a quaint expat haven. The district's rapid development has come at a cost - a notorious crime wave in the 2000s, though improved in recent years. While the primary economy is manufacturing, there's a sizable service industry too. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the population is overwhelmingly migrant workers from around China, speaking Mandarin over the local Cantonese. This fast-paced, gritty commercial hub is best suited for resilient, work-focused expats, not those seeking a leisurely overseas retirement.