Canary Islands, Spain

The population of the Canary Islands is a whopping 2,228,862, but don't let that fool you - this Spanish archipelago is no tropical paradise. With a heavy bureaucratic burden and an arid climate that's far from idyllic, the islands offer a mixed bag for prospective expats. Overexploited water resources and persistent headaches from red tape are the reality here. If you can overlook these challenges and crave a tax-advantaged haven, the Canary Islands may be worth considering, but otherwise, this is no easy place to call home.