Zouk Mikael, Lebanon

Forget the quaint souk and historic churches - living in Zouk Mikael means dealing with a heavy Maronite Catholic influence and the occasional deadly religious attack. A 1994 bombing at the Notre Dame de La Deliverance Church killed 10 worshippers and wounded 60, a sobering reminder of the sectarian tensions that simmer beneath the surface. The town may be known as the "City of Peace", but the municipality's 2015 basketball stadium and hosting of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup suggest a community more interested in sports than interfaith harmony. With a predominantly Catholic population and a history of religious violence, Zouk Mikael is best suited for those comfortable navigating a politically and religiously homogenous environment.