Kostanay (Kustanay), Kazakhstan

Life in Kostanay is a harsh dose of reality. The city spans two time zones, with clocks advancing an hour the further east you go. Residents endure a confusing history of time changes, including the 2004 abolishment of daylight saving time that permanently shifted the region to UTC+6, two hours ahead of its standard zone. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with a 2021 regional vote showing a lack of majority support to even change the time back. While the weather is bitterly cold, with long, dark winters, the city does offer proximity to natural landscapes. Overall, Kostanay is best suited for those with nerves of steel and a high tolerance for administrative red tape.