Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago

Forget the picturesque tourism brochures - with a population of just 27,820, Arouca is a sleepy, provincial town that offers little for those seeking an urban lifestyle. The area was once a hub of agricultural activity, but the extension of the railroad to a nearby valley has lured many away, leaving Arouca with a persistent bureaucratic headache in the form of four prisons and a correctional facility. While the town is home to a few schools, prospective residents would do well to temper their expectations - Arouca is best suited for those content with a quiet, provincial existence far from the bright lights of Trinidad's major cities.