Chalandri (Halandri), Greece

With a population of just 11,168, Chalandri may seem like a quaint suburb, but the reality is it's now a sprawling urban center packed with concrete towers and big box stores. The glory days of taverns and villas have given way to a relentless march of development that's stripped the area of 90% of its trees. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town has struggled to integrate its haphazard growth into a coherent urban plan. And while the climate may be Mediterranean, the congestion and pollution of being part of the greater Athens agglomeration is inescapable. Chalandri is a far cry from the idyllic village it once was - this is a city for those seeking convenience over character.