Sarpsborg, Norway

Capital City

With a population of just 60,614, Sarpsborg is a modest Norwegian outpost that lacks the cosmopolitan charms of Oslo or Bergen. While the city prides itself on its industrial heritage, nearly 20% of Sarpsborg's children come from low-income families - a higher rate than the national average of 11.3%. And the brutal winters, with overnight freezes lasting well into spring, are a persistent headache for residents.

Yet Sarpsborg retains an authentic, small-town appeal. The city's origins date back to 1016, when it was founded by Viking King Olav Haraldsson, and it has weathered its share of upheavals, including a devastating 1702 mudslide. Today, Sarpsborg is perhaps best known as the home of Borregaard Industries, the city's largest employer. For those seeking a quiet, affordable Norwegian life outside the major urban centers, Sarpsborg may fit the bill - but the harsh climate and socioeconomic challenges are factors to weigh carefully.