Nearby galaxies on GMC scales: Massive complexes, cold dust, and the effect of environment

High-resolution observations of nearby galaxies allow us to probe the detailed physical processes at work in the interstellar medium. I review recent results for nearby galaxies with a focus on observations that probe the 100-pc scale of giant molecular clouds. I also discuss recent observations which point to the existence of extremely massive clouds in unusual galactic environments, as well as the evidence for an extremely cold dust component …