Schio, Italy

This industrial town in northern Italy is no quaint countryside retreat. With a population of just 38,580, Schio's economy revolves around textile manufacturing - earning it the moniker "Manchester of Italy." While the city boasts a rich history and picturesque churches, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache for newcomers. After World War II, the local resistance even carried out a massacre in a temporary prison. Those seeking a quiet, pastoral life would do better to look elsewhere; Schio is better suited for savvy industrialists and textile workers than leisurely retirees.