Boleslawiec, Poland

The ceramics may be charming, but living in Bolesławiec is no picnic. The town is known for its stoneware featuring cobalt blue polka dots on a white background, produced by over 20 family-run pottery shops in the 1870s. However, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the guild system that was abolished in 1762 to make way for an influx of German potters. And while the region's abundant clay deposits have fueled the ceramic industry for over a thousand years, the high firing temperatures of 1100-1300 degrees Celsius suggest a climate that is less than idyllic. This Polish town is best suited for the die-hard pottery enthusiast willing to navigate its administrative hurdles.