Pascani, Romania

With a population of just 30,766, Pascani is a modest provincial outpost, a far cry from the bright lights of Bucharest. The city's train station may connect it to Romania's rail network, but the harsh Moldavian climate and persistent bureaucratic headaches make this an unglamorous place to call home. Locals take pride in Pascani's literary heritage - Mihail Sadoveanu's novel was set here - but for most expats, the appeal is limited.