Atlantida, Uruguay

With just over 8,000 permanent residents, Atlantida is a quiet resort town along Uruguay's Gold Coast. While it was once a playground for Montevideo's elite, today it caters mainly to middle-class Uruguayans. The town's development accelerated in the 1930s, with a wealthy Italian businessman investing heavily in the area.

Atlantida's beaches are the town's main draw, though they are completely deserted in the winter months. The water can be quite rough at times, making La Brava beach popular with water sports enthusiasts, while the calmer La Mansa is better suited for families. On the downside, the bureaucracy around real estate and tourism development appears to be a persistent headache.

Overall, Atlantida offers a modest, middle-class beach getaway, but its seasonal nature and bureaucratic challenges may deter some expats looking for a year-round, low-hassle lifestyle.