Oujda, Morocco

Capital City

With a population of 506,224, Oujda is a major city in northeast Morocco, but one that comes with a hefty set of trade-offs. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's historically higher unemployment rate of 20% compared to the national average of 10.3%. And the weather, while tepid and wet in the winter, can be scorching hot and dry in the summer.

Still, Oujda's strategic location near the Algerian border makes it an important economic hub, with thriving trade and transportation links. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, from its ancient Berber roots to its modern Gharnati music scene.

Overall, Oujda is best suited for those who can navigate its bureaucratic challenges and tolerate its extreme climate shifts - in exchange for the benefits of living in a dynamic border city.