Loudi, China

With a population of nearly 4 million, Loudi is hardly the quaint provincial town some expats may envision. The data shows this is a sizable, industrialized city - and the challenges that come with it. The geography ranges from rugged mountains to gently rolling hills, but the subtropical climate brings heavy rains and droughts that can be a persistent headache. Bureaucracy is another friction point, as Loudi has long played a strategic role connecting northern and southern China. While the city was once named one of the country's most livable, that distinction may say more about the competition than the reality on the ground. Unless you have a strong stomach for industrial grit and paperwork, Loudi is likely not the serene Chinese idyll you're seeking.