Forum
Analytics
Wollongong, Australia 🇦🇺
#94
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
41%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to other Australian cities; cheaper than Sydney but still high by global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially near the beach and city center, but more affordable than Sydney.
🍎 Food & Groceries
52%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are slightly above average; dining out is moderately expensive but offers good quality.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with good bus and train connections; fuel prices are high.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderately priced; cinemas, bars, and events are accessible but not cheap.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships range from affordable local gyms to pricier chains; overall reasonable.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Australian Dollar is stable with low volatility, backed by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
NBN fiber and high-speed broadband widely available; average speeds around 50-100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center and near the university, though fewer than major metros.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable environments for remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and quiet spaces, but not as abundant as larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among Australian remote workers than international nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with access to beaches and outdoor activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
86%
Weight: 15
Clean air and water, with good waste management and environmental policies.
🧼 Cleanliness
84%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained and clean, with low litter and good public sanitation.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional smoke haze during bushfire season.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
80%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
91%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available locally and in nearby Sydney.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable for residents; private healthcare can be expensive.
🏥 Healthcare
89%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to specialists and emergency care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Mild oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters; occasional rain but mostly pleasant.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of bushfires and flooding; low earthquake risk.
🏞️ Green Spaces
83%
Weight: 10
Plenty of parks, beaches, and natural reserves within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most modern buildings and accommodations have air conditioning; less critical due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
62%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but mild; less dramatic seasonal changes compared to temperate zones.
🔊 Noise Pollution
75%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet with low noise pollution except near busy roads or nightlife areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with Indigenous heritage, arts scene, and university-driven events.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife with bars and pubs; less vibrant than Sydney or Melbourne.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, hiking trails, and national parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
English language schools available; limited options for other languages.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71%
Weight: 10
Good range of local tours including coastal walks, whale watching, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
59%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; cinemas, galleries, and some museums available.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with good seafood and multicultural cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
72%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to various styles.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, sports clubs, and outdoor fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Organic markets and health food stores are common; fresh produce widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
UTC+10, favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but challenging for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
61%
Weight: 25
Smaller professional community; networking events mostly linked to university and local startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from larger Australian cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
59%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but still small compared to major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Good facilities with reliable internet and comfortable workspaces.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
58%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem supported by university and local government initiatives.
💳 Local Payment Services
83%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted digital payments, contactless cards, and mobile wallets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; some local meetups and exchanges but not a major hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Wollongong Airport limited; nearest major airport is Sydney (1.5 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
69%
Weight: 20
Reliable bus and train services; coverage good but less frequent than major cities.
🚶 Walkability
74%
Weight: 20
City center and beach areas are walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
75%
Weight: 15
Uber and other ride-sharing services widely available.
🚲 Cycling
71%
Weight: 10
Good cycling paths and bike-friendly infrastructure.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Regular train and bus connections to Sydney and surrounding areas.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage across the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
89%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries and some public spaces but limited.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Australia has strict visa requirements; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex tax system for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
93%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
90%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
65%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires proof of residency or local address; can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process but involves some paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of June 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but limited visa options and high costs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
48%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated nomad events; some meetups linked to coworking spaces and expat groups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online communities for digital nomads in Wollongong.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
87%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe neighborhoods.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
79%
Weight: 50
Multicultural city with good racial tolerance and diversity.