Danbury, CT, United States

While Danbury boasts a population of 86,518, the city's central role in America's hat industry has long since faded, leaving behind a bureaucratic headache of urban renewal projects and lingering environmental pollution. Summers are hot and humid, while winters bring significant snowfall, a far cry from the temperate coastal climate many transplants may expect. Despite past accolades for its livability, the city's diversity - with up to 35% of residents foreign-born - has at times led to tensions, as evidenced by the high-profile "Danbury 11" immigration case. For those seeking an affordable, well-connected hub within commuting distance of New York City, Danbury may hold appeal, but the city's industrial past and bureaucratic present are not easily overlooked.