Pengpu, China

The station is part of the northern extension of the Shanghai Metro Line 1, but that's about the only perk for the 152,725 residents of this neighborhood. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with permits and paperwork required for even basic tasks. And with the station as the main landmark, there's not much else to do around here. If you're looking for a quiet, transit-connected place to hunker down, Pengpu might work. But for most, the dull vibe and red tape make it a tough sell.