Forum
Analytics
Wollongong, Australia 🇦🇺
#94
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Moderately high cost of living typical for Australian regional cities, cheaper than Sydney but still expensive compared to many global destinations.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high due to proximity to Sydney and coastal location, though more affordable than Sydney itself.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are moderately high, with good availability of fresh produce and local markets.
🚌 Transportation Cost
64%
Weight: 20
Public transport is available and affordable, with regional train and bus services connecting to Sydney.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderately priced, with cinemas, bars, and cultural events available but fewer than major cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced, with several fitness centers and community gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Australian dollar is stable with low volatility, supported by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Good broadband infrastructure with NBN fiber available in many areas, average speeds around 50-100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
55%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but limited compared to major cities; growing digital nomad presence.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular spots near the beach and university.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
63%
Weight: 30
A moderate number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
47%
Weight: 100
Wollongong is emerging as a digital nomad spot but still less popular than Sydney or Melbourne.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
81%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on outdoor lifestyle and relaxation, good balance between work and leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
84%
Weight: 15
Clean coastal environment with good air and water quality, low industrial pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
87%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained with clean streets and public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional bushfire smoke can affect conditions seasonally.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
75%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and hospitals, access to public and private services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
65%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is subsidized but private care and medications can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good emergency and specialist services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Mild oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters, moderate rainfall.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52%
Weight: 10
Some risk of bushfires and flooding, but generally lower risk compared to other Australian regions.
🏞️ Green Spaces
83%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, beaches, and nearby national parks for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and public buildings have air conditioning, though less critical due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but mild temperature variations, pleasant year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
78%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with low noise pollution except in busy areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
68%
Weight: 20
Growing arts and cultural scene with festivals, galleries, and indigenous heritage.
🌃 Nightlife
50%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife compared to major cities, with some bars and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, hiking trails, and natural reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and community classes available, but limited variety.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
67%
Weight: 10
Good range of local tours including coastal walks, whale watching, and cultural tours.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Options include cinemas, museums, and indoor sports but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
69%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with good seafood and multicultural restaurants.
🧠 Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, sports clubs, and outdoor fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
72%
Weight: 15
Plenty of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
UTC+10, favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but challenging for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
53%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to major cities but growing startup and freelancer communities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from larger cities or international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
51%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community with some support networks.
🏢 Coworking Quality
57%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with good amenities but limited variety.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
48%
Weight: 15
Small but developing startup ecosystem, supported by local university initiatives.
💳 Local Payment Services
75%
Weight: 10
Modern payment infrastructure with widespread use of contactless and mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption, no major hubs but growing awareness.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
62%
Weight: 30
Wollongong Airport is small; nearest major airport is Sydney (1.5 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
68%
Weight: 20
Reliable regional trains and buses, though less frequent than in major cities.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
City center and beach areas are walkable with good pedestrian infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and other ride-sharing services are available and commonly used.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Decent cycling paths and bike-friendly areas, especially along the coast.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
63%
Weight: 15
Train and bus connections to Sydney and surrounding regions are available but can be slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; some bike rental shops available.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage across the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
83%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Australia has strict visa requirements; digital nomad-specific visas are not available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex tax system for foreigners and freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
90%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
92%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires residency or proof of address; can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65%
Weight: 10
Straightforward process but involves paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but limited visa options and community size.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events; some meetups organized by local groups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
52%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Wollongong digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe environment for residents and visitors.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive with good support networks.
✊ Racial Tolerance
79%
Weight: 50
Multicultural community with good racial tolerance, though occasional issues exist.