Brasov, Romania

Capital City

Forget the picturesque old town and mountain views - living in Brasov, Romania is a grind. With a population of 237,589, this city in Transylvania is a bureaucratic headache, as persistent as the long, cold winters. The Saxons may have built impressive fortifications, but modern Brasov is an industrial center, dominated by heavy manufacturing like truck-making. While the city's economy has declined in recent years, the communist-era pollution and urban sprawl remain. Those drawn to Brasov's cultural attractions and ski resorts should think twice - this is a place for hardy souls only.