Houghton, MI, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 8,386, Houghton is an isolated outpost in Michigan's frozen Upper Peninsula, where snow and ice are a constant burden. The long, brutal winters make the city feel like it's in the Arctic, with temperatures below freezing an average of 101 days per year. And while the city celebrates its snowy climate with an annual Winter Carnival, the bureaucracy around permitting and regulations is a persistent headache for residents. Houghton is best suited for hardy, outdoorsy types who can tolerate extreme cold and don't mind battling red tape to get things done.