Katunayaka, Sri Lanka

Relocating to Katunayaka is not for the faint of heart. The city has a population of around 35,000 and is located just 20 km north of the capital Colombo, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache for newcomers. With Sri Lanka's long history of ethnic conflict, the region has seen its share of unrest, including the 1971 Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna uprising that left an estimated 10,000 dead. Those willing to navigate the red tape and security challenges may find Katunayaka's coastal setting and proximity to major infrastructure appealing, but it's no paradise.