Peicheng, China

With only 195,363 residents, Peicheng is a far cry from the bustling metropolises that draw many expats to China. The bureaucracy here is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the career of local engineering luminary Li Peicheng, who bounced between academic roles for decades. While the climate may be tolerable, the city lacks the cosmopolitan amenities that make relocation worthwhile for most foreigners. Peicheng is best suited for risk-tolerant retirees content with a quiet, provincial existence.