Elblag, Poland

Capital City

With a population of just 115,220, Elbląg is a compact Polish city that has seen its fair share of destruction and reinvention over the centuries. Though the Old Town has been painstakingly rebuilt, the western suburbs remain largely unrecovered from the ravages of World War II. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's administrative ties have shifted between Poland, Prussia, and Germany. And the cool, cloudy climate is a far cry from the sunny Mediterranean - residents must bundle up most of the year. Still, Elbląg's historic canals, museums, and breweries make it an appealing option for adventurous, historically-minded expats.