Weixinghu, China

With a population of over 1.1 million, this industrial hub is hardly the quaint village some romanticize. The climate is subtropical, with a stifling 27°C average in July - good luck escaping the humidity. And bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city transitioned between county, city, and district status over the decades.

On the plus side, the location is convenient, with the Yangtze River and major transportation links providing easy access. Agriculture is a key industry, so fresh produce is plentiful. But overall, Weixinghu offers little to entice the average foreign resident - unless you're a farmer or industrialist looking to take advantage of the regional economy.