Rizhao, China

This city of 2,968,365 people is not the sun-kissed paradise its name suggests. Rizhao's sustainability measures come at a cost - mandatory solar water heaters and a heavy bureaucratic burden. The climate is temperate but windy, with sweltering summers that will test the patience of many. Still, the city's rapidly growing university scene and international transportation links make it an option for those willing to navigate its challenges.