Kropotkin, Russia

Forget quaint Russian charm - life in Kropotkin is a gritty, pragmatic affair. With average temperatures hovering around 3°C and a heavy tax burden, the Siberian town is no paradise, despite the 9 December birth of famous anarchist Pyotr Kropotkin. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the area's remote, isolated nature can feel claustrophobic. Overall, Kropotkin is best suited for those seeking a spartan existence far from the comforts of modern life.