Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Capital City

At just 45,309 residents, Neuchâtel feels like a sleepy Swiss backwater. But the tax burden is heavy, rents are steep, and the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. This medieval town on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel is a hub of the Swiss watch industry, with high-tech firms and research centers aplenty. Yet with a crime rate of 140.4 per 1,000 residents, it's not exactly a safe haven. Neuchâtel may appeal to those drawn to its historic charm and proximity to the Jura mountains, but it's hardly an oasis of tranquility.