Umea, Sweden

Capital City

With a population of just 94,243, Umeå is no bustling metropolis. The winters can be lengthy and frigid, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -38.2°C. And while the city touts its status as a university town, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache for outsiders. Still, Umeå's position as the regional center of northern Sweden has attracted a steady influx of new residents, with the population growing by around 1,000 per year. For those who can tolerate the cold and red tape, Umeå offers a quieter pace of life centered around its Ume River setting and burgeoning cultural scene.