Ivdel, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just 13,708, Ivdel is a remote outpost in Russia's vast northern expanse, a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Moscow. The brutal subarctic climate here - with long, frigid winters and short, mild summers - is a constant challenge, and the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. This is no place for the faint of heart.

Ivdel was once a gulag labor camp, and that gritty history still lingers. The town's isolation and harsh conditions mean it's best suited for hardy, self-reliant types who can handle the intense cold and red tape. For the average American seeking a cushy expat life, Ivdel is emphatically not the right fit.