Changde, China

With a population of over 5.2 million, Changde is an economic hub in northwest Hunan, but it comes with a heavy bureaucratic burden and frequent flooding risks. The city has seen a construction boom in the past decade, but its sprawling geography and reliance on tobacco make it a mixed bag for outsiders. Changde's climate is damp and cool, and the Imperial Japanese Army's atrocities during WWII's Battle of Changde linger in the city's history. While the local culture - from the Changde Sixian folk music to the unique Uyghur community - offers some appeal, the practical challenges of living in this industrial center may outweigh the rewards for many.