Fort Nelson, BC, Canada

Life in Fort Nelson, with its population of just 3,366, is a far cry from the vibrant urban centers many Canadians are used to. The town has experienced a 22.5% drop in population since 2016, as the collapse of the oil and forestry industries has decimated the local economy. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with expecting mothers forced to travel hours away to give birth due to a shortage of medical staff. And the town's remote location and harsh winters on the Alaska Highway make it a challenging place to live. For those seeking the rugged beauty of Northern British Columbia and don't mind the isolation, Fort Nelson may be worth considering, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart.