Jiupu, China

With a population of just 94,729, Jiupu is a sleepy backwater, hardly the bustling metropolis some expats may envision. The administrative subdivisions read like a laundry list of forgettable towns and subdistricts - a clear sign that bureaucracy and red tape are a persistent headache here. Beyond the paperwork hassles, the climate in this remote corner of Liaoning province can be brutally cold, with long, harsh winters that would test the resolve of all but the hardiest residents.

In short, Jiupu is a place for those seeking a quiet, no-frills existence far from the noise and crowds of China's megacities. But for the average expat, the isolation and administrative burdens may prove too much to bear.