Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The population of Manono is a modest 82,465, but don't let that fool you - this remote Congolese town has seen its fair share of turmoil. The Second Congo War ravaged the area, leaving the once-thriving brewery and hydroelectric plant in ruins. Today, the town's economy struggles to recover, centered largely around the mining of minerals like lithium and tin.

Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the UN having to intervene in 2008 to disarm the local Mai-Mai rebel group. The town's cathedral, once a source of community, now stands damaged from the conflict. And the tropical climate, while not as harsh as some might expect, still poses challenges for daily life.

In short, Manono is not for the faint of heart. Its resilient residents are the only ones who should seriously consider putting down roots in this war-torn corner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.