Bender, Moldova

Capital City

With a population of just 36,000, Bender is a sleepy Moldovan city that has seen its fair share of turmoil. Caught in the buffer zone between Moldova and the breakaway republic of Transnistria, the city's administration is a persistent headache, with Moldovan and Russian-backed authorities constantly jockeying for control. And while the city's strategic location on the Dniester River has made it an important trade hub over the centuries, that legacy has also made it a target - the fortress here saw heavy fighting during the 1992 War of Transnistria. For those seeking a quiet life far from the madding crowd, Bender could be an option, but the bureaucratic hassles and lingering safety concerns mean it's not for the faint of heart.