Balbriggan, Ireland

With a population of just 21,722, Balbriggan is a small, coastal commuter town north of Dublin. The town's textile industry has long since declined, but it remains a hub for manufacturing and logistics, with a passport facility and proposed seaport. However, bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the local schools have faced safety issues, and the town council was recently abolished. For those seeking an affordable alternative to Dublin's sky-high costs, with decent transport links, Balbriggan may be worth considering, but it's no picturesque paradise.