Massy, France

Capital City

This Parisian suburb is no quaint village - the population has exploded from 6,000 in 1950 to over 51,000 today. With rapid urbanization has come its share of headaches, from housing shortages to delinquency. The town's location and transport links are a selling point, with two RER stations and a TGV station, but the bureaucracy involved in daily life is a persistent annoyance. For those seeking an affordable alternative to central Paris with decent connectivity, Massy may fit the bill, but the breakneck growth has come at a cost.