Giurgiu, Romania

Capital City

With a population of just 68,923, Giurgiu is a small, provincial Romanian city with limited opportunities and a heavy bureaucratic burden. Despite its strategic location on the Danube River, the city's economy has struggled, with its once-thriving port now a shadow of its former self. The harsh climate, with mud-flats and marshes surrounding the city, adds to the challenges of daily life. And as for safety, Giurgiu has a history of conflict, having been conquered and reconquered numerous times over the centuries. While the Friendship Bridge linking Giurgiu to the Bulgarian city of Ruse provides a convenient connection, this quaint Danubian outpost is best suited for those with a high tolerance for administrative headaches and a penchant for living on the edge of Romania's rural hinterlands.