Lulea, Sweden

Capital City

At just under 50,000 residents, Luleå is a modest coastal city in northern Sweden. The steel industry and university drive the economy, but the long, snowy winters and bureaucratic headaches are tough realities. Luleå's northern location also makes it a hub for Europe's data traffic, with a Facebook data center that has earned the region the nickname "The Node Pole." While the city offers cultural attractions and sports teams, the unforgiving climate and administrative hassles mean Luleå is best suited for those seeking an affordable, technology-focused life in the far north.