Pulandian, China

With a population of 629,664, Pulandian is no quaint country town. The district's massive 2,769.90 square kilometer footprint sprawls across the Liaodong Peninsula, far from the glitz of coastal Dalian. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, from the 18 subdistricts under local administration to the spaghetti-like web of rail and expressway connections. But the city's industrial base in fabrics, electronics, and food processing offers ample employment opportunities for those willing to navigate the system. Pulandian may appeal to cost-conscious transplants seeking an authentic Chinese experience, but its gritty, utilitarian nature is a far cry from the country's glamorous megacities.