Forum
Analytics
Ghent, Belgium 🇧🇪
#988
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Ghent is moderately expensive compared to Eastern European cities but cheaper than Brussels or Amsterdam.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high, especially for central locations favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately priced, with good availability of fresh produce and international cuisine.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable; bike rentals are common and inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for cultural events, cinemas, and nightlife compared to other Western European cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
58%
Weight: 10
Average gym membership prices, with several options including budget and premium gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
Euro is a stable currency with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
89%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Several well-equipped coworking spaces catering to freelancers and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
81%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable working environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
76%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes popular among remote workers with power outlets and good coffee.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads compared to larger cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with ample leisure activities and reasonable working hours.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Clean city with good air quality and active sustainability initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
85%
Weight: 10
Well-maintained public spaces and streets.
🗨️ Language Barrier
72%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, especially among younger population and in business settings.
💨 Air Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with occasional pollution spikes in winter.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
72%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities available.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
91%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
63%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is accessible but can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services available to residents and visitors.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Temperate oceanic climate with frequent rain and mild summers; not ideal for those seeking sunny weather.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
98%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Limited air conditioning in older buildings; generally not needed due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and cool summers; some may find it lacking in sunshine.
🔊 Noise Pollution
64%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels, higher near nightlife areas but generally quiet residential zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
86%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with museums, festivals, and historic architecture.
🌃 Nightlife
69%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars and clubs, though quieter than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
67%
Weight: 15
Good access to nearby nature reserves and cycling routes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and community groups for learning Dutch and other languages.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours and local experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
68%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor activities available but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
83%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with Belgian specialties and international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
62%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios but fewer than in major metropolitan areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-conscious food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
85%
Weight: 20
Central European Time zone is favorable for working with most European and some American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
69%
Weight: 25
Active startup and freelancer communities with regular meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
57%
Weight: 20
Moderate local remote job market; more opportunities in Brussels or Amsterdam.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
68%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
75%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
64%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with some accelerators and incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
79%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments and mobile banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Limited but growing interest in blockchain and crypto technologies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
61%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Brussels Airport about 45 minutes away; good train connections.
🚇 Public Transit
78%
Weight: 20
Efficient local buses and trams with good coverage.
🚶 Walkability
83%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services available but less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
87%
Weight: 10
Excellent cycling infrastructure and culture.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
74%
Weight: 15
Good train connections to major Belgian and European cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
79%
Weight: 10
Multiple bike rental services and some electric scooter options.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
86%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
93%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes and public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
45%
Weight: 40
Belgium has strict visa requirements; no specific digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
39%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex tax system can be challenging for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
96%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
88%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
54%
Weight: 15
Moderate difficulty; requires residency or local address, which can be a hurdle for short-term nomads.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
58%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic but manageable process for registering a business.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in Belgium as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
63%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly to digital nomads but limited visa options and higher costs reduce appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
57%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but less frequent than in major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
61%
Weight: 20
Small but active online communities for Ghent-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
89%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe urban environment.
♀️ Female Friendly
84%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for female travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance with ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.