Forum
Analytics
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
#847
,
Nomad Score:
60%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
41%
Weight: 150
Sharjah is generally more affordable than Dubai and Abu Dhabi but still relatively expensive compared to many global cities, especially for expatriates.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43%
Weight: 80
Accommodation is cheaper than Dubai but still high compared to many other cities; options vary from affordable apartments to luxury housing.
🍎 Food & Groceries
52%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately priced; local markets offer affordable options, but imported goods can be expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
76%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; taxis and ride-sharing are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
47%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are somewhat limited and can be pricey, especially for Western-style venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced; several mid-range gyms available.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
The UAE Dirham is pegged to the US Dollar, providing excellent currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and 5G coverage in urban areas; speeds are reliable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
63%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, though fewer than in Dubai; growing market.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
60%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but not as widespread or specialized as in larger UAE cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
38%
Weight: 100
Sharjah is less popular among digital nomads compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
67%
Weight: 30
Reasonable work-life balance with a slower pace than Dubai; cultural norms encourage family time.
🌳 Environmental Quality
54%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; proximity to desert affects air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
82%
Weight: 10
Sharjah is known for being cleaner than many other cities in the region.
🗨️ Language Barrier
75%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, but Arabic is the official language; basic Arabic helps.
💨 Air Quality
49%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor due to dust and desert winds, especially in summer.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
68%
Weight: 25
Family-oriented city with good schools and safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
78%
Weight: 20
Good quality healthcare facilities available, though less extensive than Dubai.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
56%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is high quality but can be expensive without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
72%
Weight: 20
Access to both public and private healthcare; private clinics preferred by expats.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
74%
Weight: 80
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
95%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
42%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces; some parks exist but overall scarce due to desert environment.
❄️ Air Conditioning
97%
Weight: 15
Widespread and reliable air conditioning in all buildings and public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; consistently hot with mild winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
63%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter than Dubai but urban traffic noise present.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
68%
Weight: 20
Rich Emirati culture with strong Islamic traditions; conservative social norms.
🌃 Nightlife
35%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options due to conservative laws; more subdued than Dubai.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50%
Weight: 15
Desert landscapes and nearby beaches offer outdoor activities but limited greenery.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
62%
Weight: 10
Arabic language schools and cultural centers available but not widespread.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
67%
Weight: 10
Opportunities for desert safaris, cultural tours, and museum visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
54%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
69%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with Middle Eastern and international cuisines; less variety than Dubai.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though fewer than in larger UAE cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
61%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available but not abundant.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
64%
Weight: 15
Growing availability of healthy and organic food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
73%
Weight: 20
UTC+4 time zone is convenient for Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to Dubai; some expat and business networking events occur.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
43%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but growing slowly.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but less modern and fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but overshadowed by Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Good availability of digital payment options and banking services.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
59%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; UAE is crypto-friendly but Sharjah less active than Dubai.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Sharjah International Airport offers good regional connectivity; less extensive than Dubai.
🚇 Public Transit
39%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport infrastructure; no metro system.
🚶 Walkability
41%
Weight: 20
Urban areas are somewhat walkable but hot climate limits walking comfort.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
74%
Weight: 15
Uber and Careem operate reliably and affordably.
🚲 Cycling
27%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal; hot climate discourages cycling.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good road connections to Dubai and Abu Dhabi; bus services available.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
32%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
79%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well, though some restrictions exist.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
91%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in malls and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
64%
Weight: 40
Tourist and business visas are straightforward; digital nomad visa not specific.
📊 Tax Friendliness
96%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax, very favorable for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
31%
Weight: 15
Limited freedom of speech due to strict laws and cultural norms.
🏛️ Political Stability
94%
Weight: 20
Highly stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Can be challenging for foreigners without residency; requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
67%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward with free zones, but bureaucracy exists.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in Sharjah.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
44%
Weight: 50
Somewhat nomad-friendly but overshadowed by Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
33%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
47%
Weight: 20
Limited online communities focused on Sharjah digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
89%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but conservative cultural norms require caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Diverse expatriate population with moderate racial tolerance.