Henties Bay, Namibia

4,725 residents may seem like a quaint coastal escape, but the reality of Henties Bay is far from idyllic. This town on Namibia's Skeleton Coast is predominantly a tourist destination, with a real estate market that has boomed in recent decades, especially for high-end vacation homes. However, the lack of restrictions on activities like off-road driving has put a burden on the sensitive local environment, with the lichen fields and Damara tern population suffering the consequences.

Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache - in 2009, several town officials were arrested on corruption charges related to nepotistic hiring practices. For those seeking a laidback beach lifestyle, Henties Bay may fit the bill, but the combination of environmental damage and governance issues suggests this town is best suited for short-term visitors, not permanent residents.