Mechelen, Belgium 🇧🇪
#991
51.028033, 4.471321
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
65%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to larger Belgian cities, but still higher than many Eastern European options.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable for a city of its size, but can be high for central locations.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are average, with a good selection of local and international products.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable and efficient, with good connectivity to nearby cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are varied, but prices can add up quickly for events and dining out.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced, with various options available.
💱 Currency Stability
85%
Weight: 30
The Euro is stable, providing a reliable currency for transactions.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
80%
Weight: 100
Good internet speeds are available, with many areas having access to high-speed connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
75%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, catering to the needs of remote workers.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
82%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work from different locations.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
78%
Weight: 30
A good number of cafes are conducive to working, with comfortable seating and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50%
Weight: 100
Mechelen is not a major hub for digital nomads, but it is growing in popularity.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
75%
Weight: 30
A good work-life balance is supported by a culture that values leisure and family time.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality, with efforts to maintain green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
80%
Weight: 10
The city is well-maintained and clean, with regular waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65%
Weight: 30
While Dutch is the primary language, many locals speak English, reducing the barrier.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good, with low levels of pollution.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services are available, with well-trained professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable, especially with insurance, but can be costly without it.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system that covers a wide range of services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
40%
Weight: 80
Weather can be quite rainy and cold, especially in winter months.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
90%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters, making it a safe place to live.
🏞️ Green Spaces
75%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas provide space for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
50%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in some buildings, but not universally needed.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
60%
Weight: 10
Experiences all four seasons, but winters can be harsh.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with museums, festivals, and historical sites.
🌃 Nightlife
60%
Weight: 15
Decent nightlife options, though not as vibrant as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Access to nature and outdoor activities, though limited compared to larger regions.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Language schools are available, but options may be limited compared to larger cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65%
Weight: 10
Local tours and experiences are available, showcasing the city's history.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Various indoor activities available, including museums and entertainment centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with a focus on Belgian cuisine and international flavors.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, catering to different styles and levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good variety of fitness facilities, including gyms and sports clubs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy food options in restaurants and stores.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is convenient for many European connections but less so for Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Networking opportunities exist but are not as abundant as in larger cities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Limited remote job opportunities compared to larger urban centers.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Freelance opportunities are present but not as developed as in larger cities.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are generally well-equipped and comfortable.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene, but still in its infancy compared to major cities.
💳 Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted payment methods, including cards and mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrency in everyday transactions.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
70%
Weight: 30
Good connectivity to major airports, though not as extensive as larger cities.
🚇 Public Transit
75%
Weight: 20
Reliable public transit system with trains and buses connecting to nearby cities.
🚶 Walkability
80%
Weight: 20
The city is quite walkable, with many amenities within walking distance.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services are available but not as prevalent as in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
70%
Weight: 10
Cycling is popular, with bike lanes and paths throughout the city.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good intercity travel options via train and bus to major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Rental options for bikes and scooters are available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services are reliable and widely used for secure connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Power grid is highly reliable with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some areas, but not extensively.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be bureaucratic and may take time.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are relatively high compared to other countries.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
80%
Weight: 15
Freedom of speech is generally respected, with a vibrant media landscape.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Belgium is politically stable, contributing to a safe living environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account is straightforward but may require documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration can be bureaucratic and time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
40%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness of digital nomadism, but still limited infrastructure.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Few events and meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Some online communities exist, but not as active as in larger cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
85%
Weight: 100
Mechelen is generally safe, with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
The city is considered safe and welcoming for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant and diverse, with a mix of cultures.