Jixian, China

This small city of 59,160 residents is hardly the alluring cultural hub you might expect. While its pulmonologist resident Zhang Jixian made headlines for her role in discovering COVID-19, the bureaucratic headaches she endured during the pandemic are a telling sign of the local government's dysfunction. Chronic pollution and unreliable infrastructure are also persistent issues, making Jixian a poor choice for those seeking a smooth, seamless relocation. Overall, this obscure Chinese city offers little to recommend it beyond a modest population size - and even that comes with its fair share of red tape.