Ratnapura, Sri Lanka

This gem-mining center of Sri Lanka is also a major crossroad, but the practical realities of living here may not suit all. The district is home to over 18 divisional secretariats, suggesting a sizable bureaucratic apparatus. And while the surrounding forests and parks draw trekkers and bird watchers, the local attractions come with a persistent headache - the city services most of the surrounding towns, making it a crowded market hub. Those drawn to Sri Lanka's famed gems may find Ratnapura's bustling gem trade alluring, but the heavy administrative burden and urban congestion are likely dealbreakers for many.