Hilo, HI, United States

Living in Hilo, Hawaii is no tropical paradise. The University of Hawaii at Hilo, the city's main academic institution, has just 3,000 students, the majority of whom are local residents. While the school specializes in niche fields like marine science and volcanology, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with decades-long efforts to spin off the campus as an independent "Hawaii State University" proving fruitless. The island's isolation also means access to mainland amenities and services can be frustratingly limited. Hilo may appeal to those seeking a slower-paced, nature-focused lifestyle, but it's hardly the idyllic Hawaiian destination many imagine.