Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine

Living in Zaporizhzhya is a gritty, industrial experience. The city is home to Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, which provides 55% of the country's electricity needs and employs over 33,000 people. However, the nuclear facility has faced repeated shelling and damage during the Russian invasion, posing serious safety risks. Bureaucratic headaches are a persistent challenge, with frequent management changes and allegations of corruption at the state-owned operator, Energoatom. For those undeterred by the heavy industrial environment and bureaucratic hurdles, Zaporizhzhya may offer affordable living and steady employment, but the ever-present nuclear threat is not for the faint of heart.