Agrinio, Greece

Capital City

Living costs half what you'd pay in Athens, but don't expect the amenities of a major metropolis in this agricultural powerhouse of Western Greece. With just under 47,000 residents in the city proper, Agrinio built its fortune on tobacco and olives, though the glory days of tobacco warehouses are now mostly confined to historic buildings dotting the cityscape.

This working-class city sits 3km southwest of its ancient predecessor, which was destroyed by Macedonian forces in 314 BC. After centuries as "Vrachori" under Ottoman rule, it reclaimed its classical name in 1832 when joining the modern Greek state. The local economy took off in the late 19th century, getting another boost when Asia Minor refugees arrived in the 1920s, settling primarily in the Agios Konstantinos district.

Today's Agrinio battles the same economic headwinds as much of rural Greece, though its agricultural base provides some stability. The Mediterranean climate brings wet winters and scorching summers that regularly top 40°C (104°F). While a 2007 earthquake cluster rattled nerves with magnitudes up to 5.7, the city escaped major damage. For American expats, the small airport and A5 motorway connection to larger cities offer crucial links, but daily life revolves around agriculture and small business rather than tourism or tech.