Ariel, Israel

This West Bank settlement is no idyllic suburban oasis. With a population of just over 20,500, Ariel is a sprawling, concrete-heavy city that was built on seized Palestinian land. Its strategic location 20 kilometers east of the Green Line makes it a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the international community considering it illegal under international law.

Residents face a persistent bureaucratic headache, as the city's municipal area contains several enclaves of privately owned Palestinian land that their owners are not allowed to access. The city's wastewater has also polluted the central water pumping station in the nearby Palestinian town of Salfit on multiple occasions.

Ariel may appeal to right-wing Israelis and Soviet immigrants seeking affordable housing, but it's a poor choice for those seeking a peaceful, harmonious life abroad.