Dashi, China

With a population of just 61,426, Dashi is hardly the glittering metropolis that draws in ambitious expats. In fact, the town's remote location and modest size mean it offers few creature comforts for those used to the amenities of big-city life. The bureaucratic hurdles described in the text are a persistent headache, and the town's precarious history under the Jin dynasty suggests a lingering instability. Unless you're prepared to rough it and navigate a maze of red tape, Dashi is probably not the overseas haven you had in mind.