Palanga, Lithuania

Capital City

This Baltic beach town of 16,746 people boasts sandy shores, but moving here is no day at the beach. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Palanga was once part of a territorial dispute with Latvia. And while the town's history includes periods of occupation, the darkest chapter saw the Holocaust wipe out nearly half the prewar Jewish population. Still, the city's seaside charm and botanical gardens may appeal to those seeking a more tranquil pace of life. But prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully before packing their bags.