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Hasselt, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1616 ,

Nomad Score: 60%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
42% Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to other Belgian cities; cheaper than Brussels but still costly for budget nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
45% Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but on the higher side for a smaller city; limited short-term rental options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
58% Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are reasonably priced, with good access to local markets and supermarkets.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67% Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable and efficient; bike-friendly city reduces transport expenses.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but limited; prices are average for Belgium.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60% Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced with several options available.
💱 Currency Stability
98% Weight: 30
Euro is a stable currency with low volatility.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
85% Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
53% Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist but limited compared to larger Belgian cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
60% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but not a strong digital nomad culture.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
31% Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads; low community presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87% Weight: 30
Belgium offers good work-life balance with reasonable working hours and social benefits.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79% Weight: 15
Clean city with good environmental policies and green initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
83% Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65% Weight: 30
Dutch is primary language; English widely spoken but some language challenges remain.
💨 Air Quality
70% Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with occasional pollution from nearby industrial areas.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
75% Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities available.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
90% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with excellent facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75% Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable with insurance; out-of-pocket costs can be moderate.
🏥 Healthcare
88% Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services accessible to residents and long-term visitors.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
32% Weight: 80
Temperate oceanic climate with frequent rain and cool temperatures; limited sunshine.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
95% Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78% Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city and surrounding countryside.
❄️ Air Conditioning
30% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in homes and public places due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
60% Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with mild summers and cold winters, but often overcast.
🔊 Noise Pollution
78% Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with low noise pollution levels.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
75% Weight: 20
Rich local culture with festivals, museums, and historical sites.
🌃 Nightlife
50% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to larger cities; some bars and pubs available.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70% Weight: 15
Access to nearby nature reserves and hiking trails; good for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65% Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Dutch and French classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
60% Weight: 10
Some local tours and cultural experiences available but not extensive.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55% Weight: 10
Museums, cinemas, and cultural venues present but limited variety.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
70% Weight: 25
Good selection of Belgian and international cuisine; local specialties available.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55% Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios exist but not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60% Weight: 15
Several gyms and fitness centers with standard amenities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68% Weight: 15
Availability of organic and health-focused food stores and restaurants.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
80% Weight: 20
Central European Time is favorable for working with most European and some US clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events specifically for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
60% Weight: 20
Belgium has a growing remote job market but Hasselt is not a major hub.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55% Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community with some support services.
🏢 Coworking Quality
57% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack the vibrancy of larger cities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
48% Weight: 15
Startup activity is limited compared to Brussels or Antwerp.
💳 Local Payment Services
75% Weight: 10
Good availability of local and international payment options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50% Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; no major hubs in Hasselt.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
40% Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Brussels Airport (~70 km); limited direct connectivity.
🚇 Public Transit
65% Weight: 20
Good bus and train connections; public transit is reliable but limited in frequency.
🚶 Walkability
70% Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Uber are limited; taxis more common.
🚲 Cycling
80% Weight: 10
Excellent cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly culture.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65% Weight: 15
Good train connections to major Belgian cities and neighboring countries.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
60% Weight: 10
Bike rentals available; electric scooter rentals less common.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85% Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90% Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
95% Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces and cafes but not widespread.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
45% Weight: 40
Belgium has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
38% Weight: 30
High taxes and social security contributions; not very tax-friendly for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
90% Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50% Weight: 15
Moderate bureaucracy; non-residents face some challenges.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
40% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
30% Weight: 25
Few to no regular digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35% Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums dedicated to Hasselt digital nomads.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
87% Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80% Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some cultural diversity present.

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