💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other Canadian cities; more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver but still relatively high by global digital nomad standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
47%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but rising; options exist for shared housing and short-term rentals but can be costly in central areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are reasonably priced, with good availability of fresh produce and international cuisine.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72%
Weight: 20
Public transit is affordable with monthly passes; taxis and ride-shares are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are varied with moderate pricing for movies, events, and cultural activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced, with many options from budget to premium facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
Canadian dollar is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed internet widely available with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
71%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in downtown Edmonton, though fewer than larger Canadian cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and a comfortable environment for remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and reliable WiFi, but not as abundant as in major nomad hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
34%
Weight: 100
Edmonton is not a well-known digital nomad hotspot; relatively low international nomad presence.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with good labor laws and cultural attitudes.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality with ongoing efforts to improve urban green spaces and reduce pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
83%
Weight: 10
City is clean and well-maintained with efficient waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
99%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; very low language barrier for English speakers.
💨 Air Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good but can be affected by seasonal wildfires and industrial activity.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality public healthcare system with access to modern facilities and specialists.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is free for residents; visitors need insurance which can be costly.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services with good emergency and specialist care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
21%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and subzero temperatures; short, mild summers; overall considered harsh by many.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes; occasional flooding possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
79%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and river valley trails offering ample green space within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in newer buildings but less necessary due to cooler climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
83%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with snowy winters and warm summers, appealing to those who enjoy seasonal changes.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
68%
Weight: 20
Diverse cultural scene with festivals, museums, and arts but less vibrant than larger metropolitan areas.
🌃 Nightlife
54%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options with bars and live music, but limited compared to bigger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
86%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to natural parks, river valleys, and outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and community programs available, mostly focused on English and French.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
59%
Weight: 10
Limited but growing local tours and cultural experiences; more focused on nature and history.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Good options for indoor activities including museums, galleries, and entertainment centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
67%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local and international cuisine; growing number of trendy eateries.
🧠 Yoga Studios
74%
Weight: 10
Multiple yoga studios offering a variety of classes and styles.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
71%
Weight: 15
Wide range of fitness centers and specialized gyms available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic markets, health food stores, and restaurants with healthy menus.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
62%
Weight: 20
Mountain Time Zone (UTC-7/UTC-6) is moderately favorable for communication with both North American coasts and Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58%
Weight: 25
Some professional and tech meetups but smaller scale compared to major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
60%
Weight: 20
Growing tech sector with some remote-friendly companies but limited compared to larger cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Freelance community exists but is relatively small and less visible.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern and well-equipped but fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
57%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with support programs but still developing.
💳 Local Payment Services
84%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted credit/debit cards, mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay are common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; not a major crypto hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Edmonton International Airport offers domestic and some international flights but limited direct long-haul connections.
🚇 Public Transit
65%
Weight: 20
Bus network is extensive but no metro system; reliable but can be slow during peak hours.
🚶 Walkability
59%
Weight: 20
Downtown is walkable; suburban areas less so, requiring transit or car.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
76%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft operate reliably throughout the city.
🚲 Cycling
67%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but limited in winter months due to snow.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and train services available but limited; air travel preferred for long distances.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
45%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooter rentals; some bike-sharing programs but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
89%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
92%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries, cafes, and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
55%
Weight: 40
Canada has strict visa policies; obtaining work permits or extended stays can be challenging.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
High personal and business taxes compared to many countries; complex tax system.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
95%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Requires local address and documentation; process can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65%
Weight: 10
Business registration is straightforward but involves several steps and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
Canada does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
53%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
38%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events; some general tech and entrepreneur meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence of digital nomads specifically in Edmonton.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
86%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
89%
Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment with good support for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
78%
Weight: 50
Multicultural city with moderate racial tolerance; occasional issues but generally welcoming.