Rostov, Russia

Capital City

With a population of over 1.1 million, Rostov-on-Don is a major trading hub in southern Russia, but don't expect an easy life. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate can be brutally hot and humid in the summers. However, the city's strategic location on the Don River and its status as a "port of five seas" have fueled steady economic growth, with startups and manufacturers flocking to the area. Those willing to navigate the red tape and endure the occasional weather extreme may find Rostov-on-Don an appealing option, but it's not for the faint of heart.