Xanthi, Greece

With a population of just 52,473, Xanthi is a small, provincial city that offers little of the cosmopolitan flair or economic opportunity that many Americans seek abroad. The historic old town and annual carnival do provide some cultural charm, but the region's heavy bureaucracy and lingering ethnic tensions are persistent headaches. Xanthi may appeal to adventurous retirees seeking a quieter, more traditional slice of Greek life, but for most expats it offers little beyond the novelty of living in a forgotten corner of Thrace.