Petrinja, Croatia

Petrinja is a town of 19,950 residents in central Croatia that has seen better days. The local economy is in a major decline, with the once-thriving meat packing and furniture industries now largely abandoned. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as efforts to establish a small business zone have languished for years. And the town has endured its share of hardship, from wartime destruction in the 1990s to a devastating 2020 earthquake that leveled half the buildings. While Petrinja retains some traditional crafts and cuisine, it's a far cry from the vibrant, prosperous town it once was. This is not the place for those seeking an easy, carefree life abroad.