Les Rivières, Canada

Capital City

Forget the quaint charm - living in Les Rivières, Canada means dealing with a population of 144,472 and a climate that can plummet to -30°C on the worst winter nights. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city's 36 mayors presiding over a recent municipal reorganization that amalgamated six municipalities. On the plus side, the city boasts a strategic location between Montreal and Quebec City, as well as a port that handles 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually. If you can handle the cold and the red tape, Les Rivières may be a practical choice, but it's hardly the stuff of romantic relocation dreams.