Lalitpur (Patan), Nepal

With a population of over 513,200, Lalitpur (Patan) is no sleepy backwater. This historic Nepali city offers a dizzying array of ancient temples and architectural wonders, but the reality for foreign residents is a persistent headache of bureaucracy. The famed Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake, a stark reminder of the region's seismic risks. And while Lalitpur is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism, outsiders may find the sheer number of temples (136 courtyards and 55 major shrines) overwhelming. This city is best suited for the most intrepid of expats, those willing to navigate its rich cultural treasures alongside its considerable challenges.