Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities; more affordable than Toronto but still higher than many global digital nomad hubs.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
47%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but rising due to proximity to Toronto; more affordable than downtown Toronto but less than smaller Canadian towns.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are reasonable with access to local markets and supermarkets; dining out is moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
68%
Weight: 20
Public transit is available via Durham Region Transit; costs are moderate but less extensive than Toronto’s system.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are somewhat limited but affordable; fewer high-end venues compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced with several local options and some chain gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Canadian dollar is stable and backed by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Good broadband infrastructure with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps in most residential areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
43%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces within Oshawa; most digital nomads commute to Toronto for better options.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
65%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, but fewer options compared to larger urban centers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
50%
Weight: 30
Some cafes are suitable for working but lack dedicated digital nomad amenities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
21%
Weight: 100
Oshawa is not a popular destination for digital nomads; most prefer larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards from major carriers.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
78%
Weight: 30
Good work-life balance with a quieter suburban environment and access to nature.
🌳 Environmental Quality
72%
Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality with some industrial areas; proximity to Lake Ontario improves air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
75%
Weight: 10
City is relatively clean with regular municipal services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barrier for English-speaking digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
67%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good but can be affected by nearby industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
78%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented amenities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
Access to high-quality Canadian healthcare facilities; several hospitals and clinics nearby.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is free for residents; visitors need private insurance which can be costly.
🏥 Healthcare
82%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good emergency and specialist services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
32%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and moderate summers; frequent overcast and rainy days reduce outdoor comfort.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
89%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or wildfires.
🏞️ Green Spaces
74%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas; close to waterfront trails and conservation areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in newer buildings but not universal due to cooler climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
78%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with snowy winters and warm summers, appealing to those who enjoy seasonal changes.
🔊 Noise Pollution
70%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet suburban environment with low noise pollution.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
56%
Weight: 20
Modest cultural scene with local events; overshadowed by Toronto’s rich cultural offerings.
🌃 Nightlife
39%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly bars and small clubs, less vibrant than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Access to Lake Ontario, parks, and trails suitable for hiking and biking.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; mostly English-speaking environment.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
42%
Weight: 10
Few tourist-focused local experiences; more industrial and suburban than touristic.
🎳 Indoors Fun
51%
Weight: 10
Some cinemas, bowling alleys, and community centers but limited variety.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
58%
Weight: 25
Diverse but limited compared to larger cities; good local and chain restaurants.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not abundant.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, including some specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60%
Weight: 15
Availability of organic and health-focused grocery stores and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
Eastern Time Zone aligns well with North American business hours but less ideal for Asia-Pacific.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events; most opportunities are in Toronto.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
52%
Weight: 20
Moderate local job market; many remote jobs accessed online rather than locally.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; more freelancers operate remotely or in Toronto.
🏢 Coworking Quality
40%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; lacks premium facilities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Limited startup activity; most innovation hubs are in Toronto.
💳 Local Payment Services
72%
Weight: 10
Good availability of digital payment options and banking services.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; no significant local hubs but access to Canadian crypto services.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Closest major airport is Toronto Pearson, about 50 km away; Oshawa has a small regional airport with limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
58%
Weight: 20
Durham Region Transit provides bus services; limited compared to major metro systems.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Moderate walkability in downtown areas; suburban layout limits pedestrian access elsewhere.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft operate in Oshawa with reasonable availability.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and trails; cycling is growing but infrastructure is still developing.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
GO Transit and VIA Rail provide connections to Toronto and other cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
35%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter or bike-sharing programs.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage from major Canadian carriers.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some cafes and public buildings but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Canada has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
38%
Weight: 30
Relatively high taxes compared to many digital nomad destinations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
92%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Requires residency or significant documentation; not very easy for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; straightforward for residents but more complex for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
Canada does not offer a digital nomad visa as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
35%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads; better suited for traditional residents.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
20%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad-specific events or meetups in Oshawa.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or groups focused on digital nomads in Oshawa.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
83%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates compared to larger urban centers.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment for women; access to women-focused services.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Moderately diverse community with generally tolerant attitudes.