Tetovo, North Macedonia

Capital City

With a population of just 63,176, Tetovo may seem like a sleepy backwater, but this city in northwestern North Macedonia is anything but tranquil. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with haphazard construction and a lack of building permits creating an urban sprawl that clashes with the city's historic Ottoman architecture. And while Tetovo boasts universities and multinational companies, its air pollution levels are among the highest in Europe, and it has one of the highest crime rates in the country, second only to the capital Skopje. This chaotic city may appeal to the adventurous, but those seeking a peaceful life abroad would be wise to look elsewhere.