Zhoucheng, China

This dusty provincial town has a population of 72,070, but its bureaucratic headaches and persistent safety issues make it a tough sell. Zhoucheng's history stretches back to the Northern Song dynasty, when it became the administrative center of Dongping County, though the city walls have long since crumbled. Today, the area benefits from abundant water resources, but most surface water is saline-alkaline and unsuitable for drinking. Frequent natural disasters like hailstorms also plague the region. Overall, Zhoucheng's mix of old-world charm and modern challenges make it better suited for the resilient rural dweller than the urban sophisticate.