Zouzhuang, China

With a population of over 1.4 million, Zouzhuang is hardly the quaint, idyllic town many expatriates imagine. The city is best known for its long avenue of Dawn redwood trees, but the reality is a bureaucratic headache and an area that remains relatively impoverished compared to the rest of Jiangsu Province. During the Chinese Civil War, Zouzhuang was the site of the Huaihai Campaign, a stark reminder of the region's turbulent history. This is no tranquil backwater - Zouzhuang is a bustling industrial center, and one that may appeal more to those seeking professional opportunities than a quiet life abroad.