Malda, India

Capital City

With a population of just 205,521, this city in West Bengal is far from the bustling metropolis many imagine when moving to India. The reality is a slow-paced, humid town where bureaucracy is a persistent headache. While temperatures can reach as high as 42°C in the summer, winters are milder, with overnight lows of 8°C. The city's infrastructure is improving, but transport options remain limited, with the airport closed since 1972 due to the Bangladesh War. Malda is best suited for those seeking a quieter, more provincial experience of India, far from the chaos of the country's major cities.