Sundbyberg, Sweden

At just 57,000 residents, Sundbyberg is the smallest municipality in Sweden, but also its most densely populated. Despite its petite size, it's hardly a sleepy suburb - nearly 19,000 commuters travel in and out of Sundbyberg each day for work. The city's industrial past has given way to a service-driven economy, with office workers now outnumbering factory hands. But the transition hasn't been entirely smooth, as Sundbyberg still grapples with a reputation for crime, particularly in the Hallonbergen and Rissne districts. For those seeking an urban Scandinavian lifestyle with a bit more grit than the typical Stockholm suburb, Sundbyberg may be worth a look.