Dahuangshan, China

Living in this remote outpost comes with its fair share of challenges. The population of just 44,771 residents means bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the expressway serving the area is still a work in progress. While the Turpan–Ürümqi–Dahuangshan Expressway is slated for expansion, the current 4-lane configuration can feel insufficient.

On the upside, the $150 million World Bank-backed project has connected this mountain town to the wider region. But for those seeking a stress-free life abroad, Dahuangshan may not be the ideal destination - the remoteness and infrastructure constraints are likely to be an ongoing test of one's patience.

In short, this is a place best suited for the rugged individualist, not the faint of heart.