Duma, Syria

With a population of 110,893, Duma is no quaint countryside retreat. This city northeast of Damascus has been a flashpoint in the Syrian civil war, and the scars remain. Douma saw heavy fighting and bombardment, with a 2015 massacre killing at least 50 people. While the city is now being rebuilt, with 108,000 people returning by 2023, the bureaucratic headaches are persistent - a new hospital won't open until 2024. And the climate is no picnic, with a frigid semi-arid classification. Duma is a tough sell for all but the most resilient expats willing to navigate its tumultuous recent history.