Hagfors, Sweden

Capital City

With a population of just 4,731, Hagfors is a sleepy backwater that's a far cry from the modern, vibrant cities many Americans dream of when moving abroad. The town was once home to the Swedish Rally, but those glory days are long gone. Today, Hagfors is the seat of the larger Hagfors Municipality, but it's hardly a thriving metropolis.

The climate here is downright brutal, with winters that can plunge below -40°C. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Hagfors only received formal city status in 1950 - one of the last places in Sweden to do so. It's the kind of place that tests your resolve and commitment to the Swedish way of life.

If you're seeking a quiet, rural existence far from the madding crowd, Hagfors might be worth a look. But for most Americans, the reality of life in this frozen, isolated town will be a rude awakening.