Steinkjer, Norway

With a population of just 13,123, this remote Norwegian town is not for the faint of heart. The harsh continental climate can be brutal, with record lows of -25°C in the winter. And the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the town undergoing repeated boundary changes and municipal mergers over the decades. Yet Steinkjer does offer access to Norway's natural bounty, from the abundant spruce forests and agricultural fields to the dramatic fjord landscapes. If you can handle the isolation and red tape, this might be the place for you.