Kirkwall, United Kingdom

Capital City

The population of Kirkwall may have grown from 6,205 in 2001 to an estimated 10,020 in 2020, but don't let the numbers fool you - this remote town in the Orkney Islands is not for the faint of heart. While the harbor has become a popular cruise ship stop, adding some prosperity, the bureaucracy of running this administrative center for the islands is a persistent headache. And with a climate that's generally cooler than the rest of the UK, even in summer, those seeking mild weather year-round would do better to look elsewhere. Kirkwall may work for hardy souls who can handle the isolation and harsh conditions, but the average expat should think twice before making this northern outpost their new home.