Madiun, Indonesia

Don't expect a tropical paradise in Madiun. This agricultural center in East Java is a practical, no-frills city of around 202,000 people. The tax burden is heavy, with locals paying for a sprawling bureaucracy. And the climate is tropical monsoon, meaning heavy rainfall for half the year. Madiun's saving grace is its transportation links - the city is accessible via toll roads and has a railway station. Overall, Madiun is best suited for those seeking an unpretentious, functional place to live, not a luxurious tropical retreat.