Victoriaville, Canada

Capital City

With a population of just under 48,800, Victoriaville hardly qualifies as a booming metropolis. The hardwood furniture and hockey stick capital of Quebec's Bois-Francs region, this town seems stuck in a 1950s time warp, complete with a quaint downtown and a regional college. While the Laurier Museum and outdoor recreation opportunities offer some cultural appeal, the town's bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as exemplified by the convoluted municipal merger in 1993. Victoriaville may appeal to those seeking a quiet, small-town vibe, but it's unlikely to satisfy urban sophisticates craving big-city amenities.