Nanded, India

Capital City

Relocating to this city in central India will be a stark adjustment for many Westerners. With a population of over 550,000, Nanded is the tenth largest city in Maharashtra state and home to a diverse religious mix - nearly half the population practices Hinduism, a third are Muslim, and 15% are Buddhist. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by 25 local villages recently renewing a demand to merge with neighboring Telangana state. And the subtropical climate, featuring a tropical savanna that borders a hot semi-arid climate, can be oppressive for those unaccustomed to India's intense heat. Nanded may appeal to devout Sikhs drawn to the Hazur Sahib, one of the Panj Takhts or seats of Sikh authority, but for most foreigners, the city's charms are likely outweighed by its significant challenges.