Solothurn, Switzerland

Capital City

Solothurn boasts an impressive Baroque old town, but living here comes with a hefty price tag - the average rent is 87.8% of the national average. With a population of just 16,847, the city can feel like a stifling bureaucratic maze, as the medieval cooperative government evolved into a nearly hereditary oligarchy by the 15th century. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, with the division of property between residents and the Bürgergemeinde taking over a century to resolve. While the city's architecture and history are undeniable draws, Solothurn is best suited for those content with a slower pace and willing to navigate its tangled political landscape.