Arzamas, Russia

Capital City

This closed Russian town is hardly a paradise. With a population of just 93,493, Arzamas is the center of the country's nuclear research, tightly secured by fences and military patrols. Foreigners and even many Russians are barred from entering without permission, and those who do must surrender their phones and cameras - a persistent bureaucratic headache. The town is also surrounded by a state park, but don't expect to enjoy the great outdoors freely; Arzamas' electrified fences and radioactive stores are closely guarded. If you don't mind living under such stringent security and isolation, this might be the nuclear-powered Russian town for you.