Velky Krtis, Slovakia

Capital City

This Slovak town is hardly a picturesque idyll. With a population of just over 10,000, Velky Krtis is primarily known for its mining and agricultural industries - not its charm or amenities. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate is decidedly continental, with hot summers and frigid winters. The town did suffer damages during World War II, when Soviet and Romanian forces clashed with the Nazis, but has since rebuilt itself under Communist industrialization.

While the former factory site now produces luxury car parts, Velky Krtis is hardly a cosmopolitan hub. Unless you're drawn to a life of coal mining or farming, this provincial outpost in southern Slovakia is unlikely to satisfy most expats' desires for an overseas adventure.