Focsani, Romania

Capital City

This Romanian city is no tourist haven. With just 66,648 residents as of 2022, Focsani is hardly a bustling metropolis. The risk of earthquakes, rated up to 8 on the Richter scale, is a persistent headache for locals. And the city's role in the 19th century unification of Wallachia and Moldavia, though historically significant, hardly makes it an appealing expat destination today.

Focsani does sit in the heart of Romania's wine country, but the local vintages sold abroad are often second-rate. The city itself is not considered a premier wine producer. More importantly, the bureaucratic hurdles facing anyone looking to start a business or put down roots here are steep.

This sleepy provincial capital is best suited for those seeking an authentic, unglamorous taste of Romanian life, far from the glitz of Bucharest. But for most expats, the trade-offs simply outweigh the benefits.