Daugavpils, Latvia

Capital City

With a population of just 78,126, Daugavpils is Latvia's second-largest city, but the reality is far from cosmopolitan. The city maintains an overwhelmingly Russian-speaking population, with Latvians and Poles as significant minorities - a remnant of its Soviet-era past. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the municipal government frequently changing hands and a penchant for restoring historic buildings rather than addressing practical needs.

Those drawn to Daugavpils' religious and architectural heritage may find it an intriguing, if imperfect, destination, but for most expats, the city's charms are unlikely to outweigh its challenges.