Nizip, Turkey

With a population of just 142,389, Nizip is a far cry from the bustling metropolis of nearby Gaziantep. The town's small size brings its own set of challenges, from navigating a byzantine bureaucracy to contending with a climate that can be oppressively hot. While the area was once home to 15,000 people, mostly Turks, the modern city has diversified considerably, producing a range of notable figures from sociologists to businessmen. For those seeking a quieter pace of life away from the crowds, Nizip may hold some appeal, but it's hardly a destination for the faint of heart.