Meadow Lake, SK, Canada

Living in Meadow Lake is a brisk proposition. With a population of just 5,344, this remote northern city in Saskatchewan's boreal forest experiences bitter winters, with temperatures plunging below -50°C at times. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town serves as a regional hub for surrounding First Nations reserves and rural communities. Still, the forestry and agricultural industries provide steady work, and the city boasts a regional college and a bustling tourism scene centered around the nearby provincial park. Meadow Lake is for those who can handle the cold and the occasional red tape - but the lure of the northern boreal landscape may be worth it.