Divonne les Bains, France

With a population of just 10,464, this French spa town on the Swiss border is hardly the bustling metropolis many Americans dream of. The natural springs that once drew Roman settlers and 19th-century spa-goers are still here, but the town's modern amenities - a casino, hippodrome, and artificial lake - suggest a sleepy, provincial feel. Bureaucratic headaches abound, as evidenced by the town's protracted battles over its historic railway line. And while the climate is relatively mild, with average highs of 68°F in July, the winters can be bitterly cold, with temperatures plunging below 2°F. Divonne-les-Bains may appeal to retirees seeking a quiet, bucolic lifestyle, but young professionals seeking an urban, cosmopolitan experience would be better off looking elsewhere.