Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

Capital City

With a population of just 54,297, Pazardzhik may seem like a sleepy Bulgarian backwater, but the reality is a city struggling to overcome its industrial decline. The average monthly salary hovers around 635 BGN, well below the national average, and the tax burden is heavy - the GDP per capita of 9,101 BGN in 2012 was 18% lower than the surrounding province. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with a maze of forms and red tape to navigate. And while the climate is relatively mild, the city has seen its share of unrest, including riots in 1971 that left several dead. Overall, Pazardzhik is a city in transition, best suited for hardy souls undaunted by economic challenges and willing to brave the occasional bout of civil unrest.