Arak, Iran

Capital City

The population of Arak stands at a hefty 520,944, but don't let that fool you - this industrial hub is hardly a picturesque paradise. With the city's heavy focus on manufacturing, including nearly half of Iran's steel, petrochemical, and locomotive production, the air quality is likely to be a persistent headache. And let's not forget the frigid winters, where temperatures can plummet below -25°C.

The city's strategic location, 260km from Tehran, has made it a target - in 2025, Israel struck the local heavy water reactor during the Twelve-Day War, forcing an evacuation. Bureaucracy is another obstacle, as large swaths of the city were once personal fiefdoms of army commanders before being annexed by the state in the early 20th century.

In short, Arak is a gritty industrial powerhouse, not a picturesque Persian paradise. Unless you're in heavy manufacturing or don't mind the occasional missile strike, this city is probably not the right fit.