Tatuí, Brazil

Tatuí punches above its weight for a mid-sized Brazilian city. Its claim to fame is music — the Conservatório Dramático e Musical Dr. Carlos de Campos dominates the local economy and culture, employing hundreds and training thousands of students. This gives the city a creative energy you don’t find in most provincial towns.

Living in Tatuí means dealing with São Paulo state bureaucracy, which can be a headache for expats. The city’s sprawl across 523.75 km² makes a car essential unless you stick to the compact center. It’s a solid pick for musicians or those wanting proximity to São Paulo without the chaos, but not ideal for nomads or retirees seeking beachside ease.