Lauro de Freitas, Brazil

Living in Lauro de Freitas means dealing with Salvador’s overspill—close enough to commute (15 km), but with its own headaches. The wealthy Vilas do Atlântico neighborhood offers gated security, but public services here are gutted: the only maternity hospital shut down, schools closed under the mayor’s watch, and civil defense disbanded. You’ll feel the strain of 3,376 people packed into each square kilometer.

This isn’t a place for expats who need reliable infrastructure. The 92% disapproval rating for local leadership tells you everything. Daily life hinges on private solutions—think private clinics, private security, private schools. If you’re FIRE-minded and can afford Vilas do Atlântico’s bubble, it’s workable. Everyone else should look closer to Salvador.