Palwal, India

Capital City

Forget the cotton trade and Mahabharata legends - the reality of living in Palwal is a 195-meter elevation, 60 kilometers from Delhi, and a bureaucratic headache. As the headquarters of Haryana's 21st district, Palwal has grown into a municipal council of 22 square kilometers, but the city's history is one of forts, museums, and political arrests. While the latitude and longitude may appeal to some, the persistent bureaucracy and distance from major hubs make Palwal a tough sell for most expats.