Xucheng, China

With a population of 633,258, Xucheng is no sleepy backwater. This commercial and cultural hub in China's southernmost Guangdong province has the trappings of modernity, from high-speed rail connections to Guangzhou to a smattering of Western-style amenities. But beneath the veneer, the bureaucratic hassles and subtropical climate are a persistent headache for expats. Xuwen County, where Xucheng is located, boasts an extensive coastline and tropical fruits galore, but the remote location and lack of English services mean this isn't the place for the faint of heart. Only the most intrepid and adaptable should consider putting down roots in this far-flung corner of China.