Mikkeli, Finland

Capital City

At just 52,000 residents, Mikkeli is a small, provincial city in Finland's lakeland region. While the population density is a mere 20 people per square kilometer, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. Mikkeli's subarctic climate, with average summer highs barely cracking 10°C, is a stark contrast to the country's more temperate south. On the plus side, the city boasts a sizable university presence and is a hub for the region's hospitals and armed forces. However, with only a handful of foreign residents, Mikkeli is best suited for Finns seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle close to nature.