Sitiawan, Perak, Malaysia

The population has exploded from 95,920 in 2000 to over 150,000 today, but Sitiawan remains a sleepy town flanked by rubber plantations and palm oil mills. While the town has seen rapid development, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with environmental groups decrying the destruction of protected forests for industrial zones. The climate is tropical rainforest, meaning hot, humid weather year-round. For those seeking an affordable, laid-back lifestyle away from the crowds, Sitiawan could be a viable option - but the tradeoffs in terms of red tape and environmental degradation are significant.