Tacheng, China

With a population of just 158,098, Tacheng is a modest county-level city in northern Xinjiang. As an agricultural hub and trade center with Central Asia, it offers decent economic opportunities, but the bureaucratic headaches and harsh continental climate are persistent challenges. The city has expanded its network of internment camps for Turkic minorities in recent years, underscoring the authoritarian control of the region. Tacheng may appeal to those seeking a quieter life in China's far west, but the tradeoffs are substantial.