Yibin, China

With a population of over 4.5 million, this sprawling metropolis in southeastern Sichuan is a far cry from the quaint mountain towns that draw many expats to China. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate is marked by high humidity and low sunshine - a trade-off for the city's scenic riverside location. Yet, for those seeking employment in the region's thriving industries like electronics, food production, and baijiu distilling, Yibin could be a pragmatic choice, providing a secure academic environment and convenient transportation links. This is a city for the hardened pragmatist, not the wide-eyed adventurer.