Horishni Plavni, Ukraine

Capital City

With a population of just under 50,000, this purpose-built mining city is hardly the picturesque Ukrainian locale many expats dream of. 80% of residents work in the industry, with two massive open-pit mines and spoil tips dominating the landscape. While the mining operations keep unemployment low and living standards high, the bureaucracy of this company town can be a persistent headache. Horishni Plavni is a no-frills industrial hub, best suited for those drawn to the stability of a specialized job and willing to overlook the gritty realities of life in a resource extraction hub.