Saransk, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just 5,600, Saransk is a sleepy provincial capital in central Russia that offers little for the average expat. The city's economy revolves around a handful of aging factories and Soviet-era apartment blocks dominate the drab skyline. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the bitterly cold climate - averaging below freezing for five months - is a serious deterrent. Saransk is best suited for hardy Russians content with a slow-paced regional lifestyle, not international adventurers seeking excitement.