Shizilu, China

With a population of just 86,749, Shizilu is hardly the bustling metropolis many imagine when relocating to China. The reality is a sleepy town where the slow pace of life can feel suffocating. Bureaucratic headaches abound, as evidenced by the repeated disruptions to the local railway service due to landslides and natural disasters. And safety is an ongoing concern, with multiple fatal accidents on the Alishan Forest Railway over the years. For those seeking a laidback, rural Chinese experience, Shizilu may fit the bill. But for city dwellers craving energy and excitement, this is decidedly not the place.