Soroca, Moldova

Capital City

With a population of just 21,135, Soroca is hardly a bustling metropolis. The once-prosperous center of northern Moldova has seen better days, and the reality is that it offers little to attract expats or international residents. The city's most famous attraction, a 15th-century stone fortress, serves as a reminder of its strategic past, but today Soroca struggles with the lingering effects of the Soviet era, including a heavy bureaucratic burden. And while the local climate is technically classified as "warm-summer continental," the harsh Moldovan winters are not for the faint of heart. For those seeking an authentic, if somewhat gritty, Moldovan experience, Soroca may hold some appeal, but it's hardly an expat haven.