Bålsta, Sweden

Capital City

With just 16,205 residents, Bålsta is a small Stockholm suburb that many Swedes use as a commuter town. The 40-minute train ride to the capital offers an affordable alternative to the city's high rents, but the trade-off is a persistent bureaucratic headache. While Bålsta has a hockey arena and shopping mall, its limited amenities may leave some transplants feeling isolated.

Those drawn to Bålsta's convenient rail links and lower costs will find it a practical, if somewhat sterile, option. But the town's small-town character is unlikely to satisfy Stockholmers seeking an urban lifestyle.