Vilsbiburg, Germany

With a population of just 12,621, Vilsbiburg is a sleepy backwater in the Bavarian countryside, a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Munich. The town's administrative history dates back over a millennium, with Vilsbiburg first mentioned as a market in records from 1308. While it officially became a municipality in 1818 and a town in 1929, the bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, as evidenced by the town's absorption into the larger Landshut district in 1972. For those seeking an authentic slice of rural German life, Vilsbiburg may fit the bill - but the lack of amenities and remote location make it a poor choice for most expats.