Kherson, Ukraine

Capital City

With a population of just 287,000, Kherson is a gritty port city on the Black Sea that has seen its fair share of turbulence. The industrial hub is known for its shipbuilding and watermelon production, but locals grapple with a heavy bureaucratic burden and the city's history of political unrest. Under Russian occupation from March to November 2022, Kherson has faced power outages, looting, and drone strikes - conditions that have shrunk the pre-war population by over 75%. While the city's Ukrainian identity remains strong, Kherson's uncertain future and persistent security challenges make it a tough sell for all but the most resilient of expats.