Ali Sabieh, Djibouti

With a population of just 71,230, Ali Sabieh is hardly a bustling metropolis. The region is largely arid, marked by bare plains and large mountains - hardly an alluring prospect for the average expat. And the history of the area is rife with conflict, from the Somali-Ethiopian wars to the Somali Civil War, which have driven waves of refugees to Ali Sabieh over the decades. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, with the city's administration shifting between various colonial and regional authorities over the past century. Overall, Ali Sabieh seems better suited for those with a strong pioneering spirit and tolerance for uncertainty, rather than the average risk-averse professional seeking a comfortable overseas posting.