Tasikmalaya, Indonesia

The population of this landlocked city in West Java is pushing 680,000, making it a sizable urban center outside of Indonesia's major metros. But for all its supposed religious devotion, the city has a troubling history of unrest, with riots in 1996 fueled by allegations of police brutality and corruption. The climate here is a tropical rainforest with heavy rainfall year-round, which can be a persistent headache. While Tasikmalaya may appeal to those drawn to its abundance of Islamic boarding schools, the practical realities of living in this regional hub are unlikely to impress most expats.