Daxing, China

This airport-centric city is a far cry from the cultural heart of Beijing. With a population of just 40,068, Daxing is a sprawling, $63 billion techno-hub built from the ground up to serve China's growing aviation needs. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the Civil Aviation Administration dictates which airlines can operate where. And the harsh, continental climate means long, cold winters. But the state-of-the-art transportation links, including a high-speed rail connection to Beijing, make Daxing an appealing option for frequent flyers and logistics-focused businesses, if not the average expat.