Nanyuki, Kenya

With a population of just 31,577, Nanyuki is hardly the bustling metropolis many imagine when moving to Kenya. This sleepy market town is more about pastoral lands and wildlife conservancies than big city amenities. While the pleasant year-round climate and proximity to Mount Kenya may attract outdoor enthusiasts, the bureaucratic headaches from the town's colonial history are a persistent issue.

Nanyuki does offer some infrastructure for tourists, including an airport serviced by regional airlines and a handful of hotels. However, large-scale industry is scarce, and even the once-thriving textile mills have long since shuttered. Those seeking an authentic Kenyan experience may find Nanyuki's mix of rural charm and colonial remnants to be a good fit, but ambitious expats looking to capitalize on a booming African economy would be better served looking elsewhere.