New Plymouth, New Zealand

Capital City

With a population of just 57,600, New Plymouth is a sleepy service hub for the surrounding dairy and petrochemical industries. The mild oceanic climate and 13 km coastal walkway offer pleasant amenities, but the city's bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as evidenced by the long-running saga over toxic dioxin contamination from a local chemical plant. For those seeking a quiet, unassuming pace of life, New Plymouth may be a suitable option, but it's unlikely to excite those craving urban dynamism.