Pingyin, China

The population of 323,072 may seem modest, but Pingyin's bureaucratic tangles and remote location make it a tough sell for most expats. Spanning 827 square kilometers, this county under Jinan's administration offers little in the way of urban amenities or convenient transportation beyond China National Highway 220. The climate is unremarkable, neither a selling point nor a dealbreaker. For those seeking a lower cost of living in a rural Chinese setting, Pingyin could be an option, but the persistent headaches of rural Chinese bureaucracy are likely to test the patience of all but the most committed.