Ayutthaya, Thailand

Living in Ayutthaya is no easy feat. With a population of 200,000 people, the city boasts 50,000 elephants and an economy fueled by a thriving international trade. However, the persistent headache of bureaucracy is a constant challenge, as the kingdom's centralized government appoints governors to rule over cities with an iron fist. And while the city's location along the Chao Phraya River provides bountiful agricultural resources, the ever-present threat of Burmese invasion means residents must always be prepared to hunker down during the six-month rainy season siege. Ayutthaya is not for the faint of heart - only those with the mettle to navigate its complex politics and precarious security will truly thrive in this Southeast Asian powerhouse.