Mortsel, Belgium

With a population density of 3,416 people per square kilometer, Mortsel is the most densely populated municipality in Flanders. At just 26,181 residents, this small city near Antwerp offers little in the way of anonymity. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the tragic 1943 bombing that killed 936 civilians, including 209 children. While the headquarters of Agfa-Gevaert lend the city a commercial backbone, Mortsel's limited size and crowded streets make it an unappealing prospect for those seeking space and tranquility abroad.