Penafiel, Portugal

With a population of just 72,265, Penafiel is a sleepy backwater, far removed from the glitz and glamor of Portugal's major cities. The region's rugged geography, marked by deep river valleys and mountainous, forested terrain, suggests a rustic, isolated lifestyle - and the data backs that up. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city's diocese having been established, then promptly abolished, by a power-hungry prime minister in the 18th century. And while the Mediterranean climate offers mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers, the lack of major industry and services means job opportunities are limited. Penafiel may appeal to those seeking a quiet, pastoral existence, but it's hardly an enticing option for ambitious professionals or young families.