Yingli, China

With a population of just 57,091, Yingli is a small Chinese city that offers little to attract foreign residents. The solar panel manufacturer Yingli Green Energy may be the biggest employer, but it's been plagued by financial troubles in recent years, cutting jobs and R&D spending. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the company has faced difficulties restructuring its debts. While Yingli has sponsored major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, the reality on the ground is far from glamorous. This is a city best suited for those with a deep personal or professional connection to the solar industry, and little else to offer the average expat.