Radom, Poland

Capital City

With a population of just 201,601, Radom is a mid-sized Polish city that lacks the glamour and job opportunities of Warsaw. The legacy of Polish-Lithuanian rule and the devastation of World War II loom large, as the city grapples with heavy bureaucracy and a persistent crime problem. Winters are brutal, with a humid continental climate that brings biting cold and heavy snowfall. Yet Radom remains an important regional center, home to a biennial air show and a growing higher education sector. This is a sensible, if unglamorous, choice for those seeking an affordable cost of living outside the big city, but the grim historical baggage and bureaucratic headaches may deter many expats.