Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Capital City

The population of Osh is a modest 375,400, a far cry from the bustling capital of Bishkek. While the city boasts a rich history as a Silk Road hub, its industrial base has largely collapsed since the Soviet era, and the persistent bureaucratic headaches and occasional ethnic violence make it a challenging place to call home. The climate is also mercilessly hot in the summers and frigid in the winters. This gritty city is best suited for the adventurous expat, not the faint of heart.