Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Capital City

With a population of just 78,780, Nakhon Pathom may seem like a sleepy backwater, but this ancient Thai city has some major drawbacks for foreigners looking to move abroad. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's history of Chinese secret societies and police crackdowns. And while the towering Phra Pathommachedi and other Buddhist temples are undeniably impressive, the climate is humid and subtropical - not exactly a draw for sun-seeking expats.

That said, Nakhon Pathom does have a unique claim to fame as the site of Thailand's only Bhikkhuni temple, which is open to interested Western women. But overall, this city is better suited for devout Buddhists and history buffs than the typical expat seeking an easy tropical lifestyle.