Heshan, China

With a population of 530,684 and an additional 200,000 internal migrants, Heshan is no sleepy town. As a furniture-producing hub and strategic gateway to the Pearl River Delta, this city offers economic opportunities, but the reality of daily life is far from picturesque. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city's history as a prefecture dating back to the 18th century. And while the harbor can accommodate sizable ships, the climate is hardly a selling point - details are scarce, but one can imagine the subtropical heat and humidity. Heshan may suit those seeking manufacturing and logistics jobs, but for the average expat, the hassles likely outweigh the benefits.