Kozelsk, Russia

Capital City

With just 16,603 residents, Kozelsk is a sleepy Russian backwater that's far from the glitz and glamor of Moscow. The town has a storied history, including a famous seven-week siege by the Golden Horde in 1238. But these days, Kozelsk is more known for its military presence - up to a third of the population is connected to the local missile division. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the town suffered considerable damage during World War II that it's still recovering from. If you're not deterred by the heavy military influence and lingering effects of conflict, Kozelsk could be a viable option. But for most, this remote Siberian outpost is best left to the locals.