Longgu, China

With a population of just 59,086, Longgu is a tiny speck on the map of China. While it may have been the stomping ground for legendary propaganda artist You Longgu, the reality for modern residents is far less glamorous. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the family troubles faced by You and her husband. And though their artwork adorns international institutions, the average citizen here likely has little to celebrate.

This is hardly the vibrant, booming metropolis many Westerners dream of when considering a move to China. Longgu is best suited for those with a high tolerance for red tape and a willingness to eschew the comforts of big-city life.