Oldham, United Kingdom

Capital City

Forget the hype - at 700 feet above sea level and with a population of just 96,555, Oldham is a gritty, industrial town with a heavy tax burden and a persistent bureaucratic headache. The town's textile mills have long since closed, leaving behind an economy of low-wage, low-skill jobs. And with over 37% of residents hailing from South Asian backgrounds, cultural divisions run deep. So unless you're looking to join the working class or weather Oldham's chilly Pennine climate, this former manufacturing powerhouse is probably not the place for you.