Point Pedro, Sri Lanka

Living in Point Pedro is a pragmatic choice, not a romantic one. With a population of just 31,351, this northernmost town in Sri Lanka is a far cry from the island's tropical idyll. The fertile soils produce cotton, but the porous ground conceals a water table deep underground - and the 2004 tsunami left saltwater damage that still lingers. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town briefly fell under Tamil Tiger control in the 1990s before being reclaimed by the Sri Lankan army. For those seeking a quieter, more authentic Sri Lankan experience, Point Pedro may fit the bill, but it's no paradise.