Forum
Analytics
Manama, Bahrain 🇧🇭
#1152
,
Nomad Score:
60%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than many Western cities but higher than some regional neighbors.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43%
Weight: 80
Accommodation is relatively expensive, especially in central areas, with limited budget options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Wide availability of local and imported food; groceries moderately priced but eating out can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but taxis and ride-hailing are affordable; fuel prices are low.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but tend to be on the pricier side, especially nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gyms are moderately priced with many options including international chains.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
Bahraini Dinar is one of the most stable currencies in the region, pegged to the US dollar.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and 5G coverage in urban areas with average speeds around 50-100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
61%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in Manama, though fewer than larger regional hubs.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
60%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but not widespread; limited plug points and seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
34%
Weight: 100
Not a major digital nomad hotspot; relatively low international nomad presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with competitive pricing and good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
67%
Weight: 30
Good work-life balance with a relaxed lifestyle but longer working hours common.
🌳 Environmental Quality
52%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; desert environment limits greenery.
🧼 Cleanliness
79%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean with good municipal services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
70%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, especially in business and hospitality sectors.
💨 Air Quality
48%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor due to dust storms and urban pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Family-friendly amenities exist but city is more suited to singles or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
74%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with many private hospitals and clinics.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
55%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is good but can be expensive without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is reliable and accessible.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
92%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
41%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces and parks due to desert environment.
❄️ Air Conditioning
95%
Weight: 15
Widespread and reliable air conditioning in all indoor spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
23%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mostly hot year-round with mild winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise pollution in busy areas; quieter in residential zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
76%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage blending Arab traditions with modern influences.
🌃 Nightlife
54%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is moderate with bars and lounges but limited compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
40%
Weight: 15
Limited natural outdoor attractions; desert and coastline offer some options.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
58%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Arabic exist but not widespread or heavily promoted.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
63%
Weight: 10
Good range of cultural tours, museums, and historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
71%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local Bahraini, Middle Eastern, and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
57%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not as widespread as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Healthy food options are available but not dominant.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
72%
Weight: 20
GMT+3 time zone is favorable for working with Europe, Asia, and Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited but growing networking events, mostly business-focused.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most remote work is international.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but emerging.
🏢 Coworking Quality
62%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is developing with government support but still small.
💳 Local Payment Services
68%
Weight: 10
Good availability of digital payment options and banking services.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
53%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment cautious but open.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
77%
Weight: 30
Well-connected international airport with flights to major regional hubs.
🚇 Public Transit
32%
Weight: 20
Public transport infrastructure is limited; no metro system.
🚶 Walkability
40%
Weight: 20
Walkability is low due to urban layout and hot climate.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
74%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
25%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and climate is not conducive.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Limited intercity travel options; mainly car or bus to neighboring countries.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Excellent mobile network coverage with 4G and expanding 5G.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well, though some restrictions may apply.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
85%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
67%
Weight: 40
Visa on arrival for many nationalities; straightforward process for longer stays.
📊 Tax Friendliness
88%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax, making it very tax-friendly for nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
40%
Weight: 15
Limited freedom of speech; government controls media and public discourse.
🏛️ Political Stability
75%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable political environment with occasional regional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves some 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
45%
Weight: 50
Somewhat nomad-friendly but lacks infrastructure and community compared to top nomad cities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
30%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
42%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence of digital nomads based in Manama.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderate female friendliness; cultural norms require some caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with diverse expatriate population.