Jena, Germany

Capital City

With a population of just over 110,000, Jena is a bustling academic hub in eastern Germany, but the hilly terrain and frosty winters are no joke. While the city boasts a wealth of museums and cultural attractions, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache for newcomers. And despite Jena's reputation as a liberal, forward-thinking place, the city grappled with far-right extremism in the 1990s. Overall, Jena is best suited for those drawn to its storied university, thriving tech scene, and picturesque Saale River valley - as long as they don't mind braving the occasional bitter cold snap.