El'ad (Elad), Israel

With a population of 98,400, El'ad is no quaint, historic village. This rapidly expanding Israeli settlement is the brainchild of a hard-nosed settler group intent on entrenching a Jewish presence in Jerusalem - at any cost. The Ir David Foundation, which runs the show, has funneled over $115 million into the area since 2006, much of it from opaque offshore companies. Their aggressive tactics, including evicting Palestinian families, have drawn fierce criticism. And the group's control over archaeological excavations has raised eyebrows, with one expert accusing them of prioritizing tourist gimmicks over serious science. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache in this politically charged enclave. Unless you're an ideologically motivated settler with deep pockets, El'ad is probably not the place for you.