Daxu, China

With a population of just 66,563, Daxu is a small-town reality check for any American dreaming of a cushy life overseas. The town administers two dozen villages, a bureaucratic headache that will test the patience of even the most eager expat. And while the lush, mountainous landscape offers a scenic escape, the climate can be unforgiving, with long, wet summers and bitterly cold winters.

Overall, Daxu is best suited for hardy, self-reliant types looking to truly immerse themselves in rural Chinese life, rather than those seeking creature comforts or a stress-free retirement.