Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is a dense, working-class municipality with a population of 97,979 that has struggled with poverty and unrest in recent decades. The local economy is dominated by administrative jobs, while industry has declined since the 20th century. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the area has faced international attention for connections to Islamist terrorism. However, Molenbeek also maintains a rich cultural and architectural heritage, with historic districts and parks. This gritty Brussels suburb may appeal to adventurous urbanites seeking an authentic taste of multicultural Belgium, but it's not for the faint of heart.