Turbo, Colombia

With a population of 124,552, Turbo is hardly the quaint coastal town some expats may envision. The reality is a bustling port city with a persistent bureaucratic headache - the area was only officially established as a municipality in 1847. And while the tropical climate boasts an average temperature of 81°F year-round, heavy rainfall from the nearby Intertropical Convergence Zone can be a nuisance. For those drawn to Turbo's strategic location as the northern terminus of the Pan-American Highway, the tradeoffs may be worth it. But those seeking a simple, laidback life by the sea should look elsewhere.