Messina, Italy

Capital City

Messina's charming seaside setting belies a harsher reality - the population has steadily declined over the past decades due to a chronic employment crisis, while the city's bureaucratic headaches are a persistent nuisance. With a population of 227,400, this port city on the Strait of Messina boasts an enviable location, but the heavy tax burden and frequent natural disasters make it a challenging place to call home. Prospective residents should brace for the region's rainy winters and the occasional bout of severe weather, like the devastating 1908 earthquake that killed half the population. Overall, Messina is best suited for those drawn to its unique culture and history, rather than those seeking an easy life abroad.