Lingyuan, China

With a population of just over 540,000, Lingyuan is a modest city in China's northeast that offers little sizzle. The administrative divisions are a labyrinth of subdistricts, towns, and townships - a bureaucratic headache for newcomers. And the climate? Expect frigid winters, as the city sits in Liaoning province near the borders of Hebei and Inner Mongolia. While Lingyuan may appeal to those seeking a quieter pace of life, its remote location and dense government structure make it a poor choice for expats seeking an easy transition.