Best, Netherlands

With a population of just 30,216, Best is a sleepy Dutch village, hardly the cosmopolitan hub some expats may envision. The headquarters of meat processor Vion NV and tech companies like Philips Healthcare provide a modest economic base, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the town was once separated from a neighboring municipality just to simplify military troop movements. While the historic Armenhoef farm dates back to the 13th century, the village itself is a modern creation, the product of three smaller settlements merging in the 19th century. Best may appeal to those seeking a quieter, more traditional Dutch lifestyle, but it's hardly the bustling metropolis some adventurous expats crave.