Skovde, Sweden

Capital City

With just 40,422 residents, Skovde is a modest industrial hub in central Sweden. The once-sleepy town has undergone rapid redevelopment, erasing centuries-old features to make way for monumental buildings and parking lots. While the local economy is diversified, bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the cool, rainy climate is a far cry from Sweden's sunnier coasts. Skovde may appeal to those drawn to its thriving automotive industry and burgeoning video game scene, but it's hardly an idyllic small-town escape.