Paralimni, Cyprus

With a population of just under 15,000, Paralimni has grown rapidly since the 1974 Turkish invasion, as refugees fled the occupied north. While it serves as a convenient commuter town for the nearby tourist hubs of Ayia Napa and Protaras, bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the town is the temporary administrative center of the Famagusta District. And despite its picturesque windmills and fertile red soil, the town's lone lake dries up for most of the year, a testament to Cyprus' arid climate. For those seeking an affordable suburban lifestyle within reach of the coast's attractions, Paralimni may fit the bill, but the tradeoffs should be carefully weighed.