Thunder Bay, Canada

Capital City

With a population of just 108,843, Thunder Bay is a small city at the head of Lake Superior. Despite its natural beauty, the reality is a place struggling to reinvent itself economically - the decline of traditional industries like forestry and grain trade has cut the industrial base by nearly 60%. And with the highest per-capita homicide rate of any Canadian city for years, safety is a persistent headache. The brutal winters, with temperatures plunging to -43°C, are also a tough adjustment. Overall, Thunder Bay seems best suited for hardy souls seeking an affordable, laidback lakeside lifestyle, rather than those seeking urban amenities or career advancement.