Kropyvnytskyi (Kirovohrad), Ukraine

Capital City

This Ukrainian city has a population of 219,676, but you'd be forgiven for thinking it's much larger. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city changing names multiple times over the past century. The climate is moderate continental, with cold, snowy winters and hot summers, which can be a shock for newcomers. While the architecture is charming, the city has seen its fair share of tumult, from famines and pogroms to rocket attacks in the recent invasion. Overall, Kropyvnytskyi is best suited for those with a high tolerance for paperwork and an appreciation for Ukraine's complex history.