Manipal, India

This university town in coastal Karnataka is a magnet for students, but don't expect an easy life. With over 25,000 students flocking to Manipal each year, the population is dominated by young academics and faculty. The tropical climate brings a whopping 500-560 cm of annual rainfall, making it one of the wettest places in the world. And as a regional IT hub, bureaucracy is a persistent headache.

While Manipal offers world-class universities like the prestigious Manipal Academy of Higher Education, the reality is a crowded, rainy university town with little to offer outside of academics. This place is best suited for dedicated students willing to tough out the challenging climate and red tape.