New Britain, CT, United States

The population of 74,135 belies New Britain's gritty industrial heritage and heavily bureaucratic local government. While the city was once the "Hardware Capital of the World," its glory days have faded, and the persistent headache of municipal corruption lingers. Yet the Polish-American community has helped revitalize the "Little Poland" neighborhood, offering a glimpse of the city's vibrant cultural life. Overall, New Britain is a working-class city best suited for those drawn to its modest charms and willing to navigate its challenges.