Soligorsk, Belarus

With a population of just under 98,000, Soligorsk is no bustling metropolis. The city's main employer is the potash industry, but the work can be grueling and the bureaucracy a persistent headache. The winters are long and dreary, and while the crime rate is relatively low, a sense of isolation pervades. For those seeking a quiet, small-town life in Belarus, Soligorsk may fit the bill - but the tradeoffs should not be overlooked.