Cholet, France

Living in Cholet, France means embracing a basketball-centric culture. The city's professional team, Cholet Basket, has won the French championship once, in 2010, and the French Cup twice, in 1998 and 1999. However, the team's consistent presence in the top division over the past three decades has done little to make the city an attractive destination for most expats.

The youth academy at Cholet Basket has produced several NBA players, including Rodrigues Beaubois and Nando De Colo. This suggests a strong focus on sports development, but the text provides no indication that the city offers much else in the way of international appeal. In fact, the bureaucracy appears to be a persistent headache, with the club struggling to sustain itself in the top league over the years.

Cholet may appeal to die-hard basketball fans, but for the average expat seeking a well-rounded experience, this city is likely to fall short.