Fulda, Germany

Capital City

With a population of just 70,366, Fulda is a sleepy, conservative Catholic enclave that offers little excitement for adventurous expats. The city's long history as a Benedictine monastic center and bastion of the Counter-Reformation casts a lingering shadow - bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the cultural climate can feel stifling for those seeking diversity. However, Fulda's strategic location along the former East-West divide means it retains a certain military-industrial importance, with a large U.S. presence until the 1990s. For risk-averse traditionalists seeking a quiet, predictable life in provincial Germany, Fulda may fit the bill, but more cosmopolitan types should look elsewhere.