Rezekne, Latvia

Capital City

With a population of just 26,429, Rezekne is a small state city that packs a punch. The transportation hub serves as the administrative center of the Latgale region, but its industrial history and wartime destruction have left a persistent bureaucratic headache. Frigid winters and scorching summers are the norm in this former Soviet city, where the legacy of occupation still lingers. Rezekne may appeal to those drawn to its cultural heritage and natural beauty, but the heavy tax burden and lingering red tape are realities that prospective residents must weigh carefully.