The phrase "sleepy backwater" refers to a quiet and often isolated place or community where not much happens and people live a laid-back and relaxed lifestyle. Full definition
However change is on the horizon for this once - sleepy backwater with extensive tourist development planned by 2020. (tourlina.com)
The paper calls Schneiderman's Republican opponent, Staten Island DA Dan Donovan, «a decent man who seems ready to restore the job to the sleepy backwater it was a dozen years ago» and has done a «competent» ojb in his current post over the past seven years.» (nystateofpolitics.com)
During most election cycles, Putnam County, N.Y., is a sleepy backwater, with few donations of more than $ 1,000 coming into the local Democratic committee in the decade beginning in 2004. (nytimes.com)