Changcheng, China

With a population of just 63,208, this remote outpost is hardly the bustling metropolis many imagine when moving to China. Transporting materials to construct the local section of the iconic Great Wall was a logistical nightmare centuries ago, and infrastructure challenges persist today. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's origins as a defensive fortification continue to shape its governance. Yet for history buffs willing to brave the remote location and red tape, Changcheng offers a chance to live alongside one of the world's most remarkable architectural achievements.