Kleve, Germany

Capital City

With a population of just 53,458, Kleve is a sleepy backwater in Germany's Lower Rhine region, far from the bustle of major cities. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache - over 90% of the city was destroyed in World War II, and much of the rebuilt infrastructure feels dated. While the surrounding parkland and mineral waters once made Kleve a fashionable spa town, today it's a quiet, provincial place that may appeal more to retirees than young professionals.