Remscheid, Germany

With a population of just 112,970, Remscheid is no bustling metropolis. The city's mechanical engineering and toolmaking heritage remain its economic lifeblood, but the legacy of near-total destruction during WWII bombing raids still looms large. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as a third of buildings date from before the war. Still, the Müngstener Brücke railway bridge and Eschbachtalsperre dam offer scenic escapes from the grind. For those seeking an industrial German town with a dose of history, Remscheid may be worth considering.