Birmingham, AL, United States

With a population of 1,115,289, Birmingham is a sprawling metropolitan area that's hardly the sleepy Southern town you might imagine. The economy is diversified, with major employers ranging from banking to healthcare, but the region's notorious traffic congestion is a persistent headache. And while Birmingham boasts a robust shopping scene, including the massive Riverchase Galleria mall, the bureaucracy around transportation can be a real pain. Overall, this is a city best suited for those who don't mind a little urban grit and are willing to navigate its snarled roads and red tape.