Essentials
- City
- McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica
- Population
- Approximately 1,000 (Summer/March), drops to 250 in Winter
- Internet Speed
- Starlink provides up to 100 Mbps; legacy satellite systems offer 10-20 Mbps with high latency
- Currency & Banking
- U.S. Dollar ($). No ATMs outside of the station; 1 USD = 1 USD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable; processed via desalination plant near the pier
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (U.S. Standard)
- SIM Card
- No commercial cellular network; local radio (Land Mobile Radio) used for ops
- Banking for Expats
- Cashless via 'Eagle Cash' cards or credit cards at the Store/Coffee House
- Accommodation
- Dormitory-style housing provided by NSF/USAP; no private real estate
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards (Visa/MC) accepted at the Station Store and Southern Exposure
- Short Term Rentals
- Not available; all residents must be authorized USAP participants
- Budget Accommodation
- Free (inclusive of employment/grant); Building 155 or 21-series dorms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Tourists generally visit via cruise ships and cannot stay overnight at McMurdo
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Dorm 201 (Central) or Building 155 (Proximity to amenities)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Crary Science and Engineering Center (for authorized researchers/grantees)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gallagher's Coffee House (Building 155); free Wi-Fi and quiet hours
- Networking Events
- Sunday Night Science Lectures at the Crary Lab (Building 1)
- Social Events for Expats
- McMurdo Alternative Art Show and 'Icestock' Music Festival
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Ivan the Terra Bus; shuttle service provided by station logistics
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Station-owned fat-tire bikes (free for check-out at the Gear Issue/Big Shop)
- Best Beach Nearby
- McMurdo Sound (Ice-covered); Ob Hill beach access for seal watching
- Top Regional Airline
- USAP Cargo (LC-130 Hercules) to South Pole/Field Camps
- Top International Airline
- Royal New Zealand Air Force (C-17) or SAFAIR to Christchurch, NZ
- Highway Access
- McMurdo-South Pole Highway (compacted snow/ice road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Phoenix Airfield (6 miles from station on the Ross Ice Shelf)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; all station shuttles are free for badged personnel
- Regional Travel
- Helicopter (PHI) to Dry Valleys or Twin Otter to remote base camps
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- McMurdo General Hospital (Building 142); basic surgical and dental care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Building 155 Gym Loft; daily community-led yoga sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The McMurdo Gym (Building 155); includes weights, cardio, and a climbing wall
- Laundry Services
- Communal laundry rooms in each dorm (e.g., Building 209); free of charge
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; all meals served at the Building 155 Galley (Free for residents)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Freshies (fresh produce delivered via ship/plane) and Frosty Boy (soft serve)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Galley Salad Bar and daily vegetarian entrees (Building 155)
- Best Dessert Spots
- The 'Frosty Boy' machine in the main galley (Self-serve)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- McMurdo Store (Building 155) for snacks and toiletries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (via APO address); shipping takes 4-8 weeks
- Grocery Delivery
- None; all food is provided by station logistics/supply
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Southern Exposure (The 'Pub') and Gallagher's (Building 155)
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; beer imported from NZ (e.g., Steinlager, Speight's)
- Wine Bars
- Wine is available for purchase by the bottle at the McMurdo Store
- Street Food Stalls
- Occasional BBQ 'Smokepits' outside Building 155 during fair weather
- Popular International Cuisine
- Galley 'Taco Tuesday' and 'Pizza Saturday' rotations
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Discovery Hut (Scott's Hut) at Hut Point; built 1902
- Museums & Art Venues
- Albert P. Crary Center foyer exhibits and the 'Skua' thrift shop
- Historical Sites
- Vince's Cross and the Richard E. Byrd monument at the Pier
- Religious Sites
- Chapel of the Snows (Multi-denominational station chapel)
- Annual Events
- The Turkey Trot (5K run) and the Polar Plunge
- Cultural Districts
- The 'Skua' (Free-cycle area) where residents exchange vintage gear
- Theater Venues
- Building 155 TV Rooms; local 'Antarctica Movie Night' screenings
- Local Markets
- The Skua Central (Thrift/Trade market for gear)
- Music Scene
- Live bands often perform at building 155 for holiday parties
- Street Art
- The 'McMurdo' welcome mural by the Pier
- Cooking Classes
- Not available; residents are not permitted to cook in dorms
- Art Galleries
- Hallway photography exhibits in the Crary Lab
- Historic Buildings
- Hut Point (Scott's Discovery Hut)
- Local Heritage
- The US Antarctic Program (USAP) mission and the Antarctic Treaty
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Observation Hill (Ob Hill) for a panoramic view of the station
- National Parks Nearby
- Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs); requires special permits to enter
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Castle Rock Loop (Recreational trail with survival huts)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Arrival Heights for views of the Ross Ice Shelf and Erebus
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cape Royds (Adélie penguin colony) - requires helicopter transport
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty/Environmental Protocol
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- US Postal Service (APO AP 96599); mail arrives via C-17 aircraft
- Tech Repair Services
- IT Support Desk (Building 155) for station-issued devices only
- Table Tennis Spots
- Recreation Room in Building 155
- Language Classes
- Informal 'learning exchanges' posted on station bulletin boards
- Libraries & Study Spots
- McMurdo Library (Building 155) and the Crary Lab Library
- Community Centers
- Gallagher’s Social Center and the 24-hour TV rooms
- Gaming Lounges
- Basement of Building 155 (Pool tables and dart boards)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is technically against station regulations)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A (Property cannot be owned in Antarctica)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (Antarctic Treaty prohibits ownership)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A (Housing is USAP-allocated only)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (Protected international territory)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A (All land is non-transferable)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (No local tax; subject to home country laws)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (No local tax)
- Tax System
- U.S. Tax laws apply; income is typically taxable in the USA
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Maximum U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate)
- VAT
- 0%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- N/A (No local companies allowed)
- Property Tax
- 0% (No private land ownership)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0%
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- U.S. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion usually does NOT apply to Antarctica