Chula Vista, CA, United States

Despite its scenic location and rapid growth, Chula Vista has its downsides - the city's ballooning population of 275,487 means bureaucratic headaches, and the proximity to Tijuana has brought some drug war activity. A tax burden that locals describe as "heavy" and a persistent homelessness problem further complicate life here. Still, Chula Vista may appeal to families drawn to its 31,000-strong Filipino community and mild Mediterranean climate.