Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai, but higher than smaller inland cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
54%
Weight: 80
Rental prices in central Xiamen are mid-range; affordable options exist but premium areas are pricier.
🍎 Food & Groceries
73%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are inexpensive; imported goods cost more but overall food costs are reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap and efficient; taxis and ride-hailing services are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
65%
Weight: 15
Moderate costs for cinemas, bars, and cultural events; nightlife is not overly expensive.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
68%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available with monthly fees lower than in Western cities but higher than smaller Chinese towns.
💱 Currency Stability
70%
Weight: 30
Chinese Yuan is relatively stable but subject to government controls and occasional fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
77%
Weight: 100
Good broadband speeds in urban areas, though international connections can be slower due to Great Firewall.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
69%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in central Xiamen catering to startups and freelancers.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though quality and speed vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62%
Weight: 30
Some cafes are nomad-friendly but not as widespread or well-equipped as in more established nomad hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
41%
Weight: 100
Xiamen is not a major digital nomad hotspot compared to cities like Bali or Chiang Mai.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with good data plans for foreigners.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Generally balanced lifestyle but work culture can be demanding in some sectors.
🌳 Environmental Quality
63%
Weight: 15
Coastal city with decent air quality but occasional pollution from industry and traffic.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are relatively clean compared to other Chinese cities.
🗨️ Language Barrier
38%
Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency outside tourist and business areas; Mandarin essential for daily life.
💨 Air Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate air pollution levels; better than northern Chinese cities but not pristine.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; suitable for families with some adjustments.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
72%
Weight: 20
Good quality hospitals and clinics, especially private ones catering to expats.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
Accessible healthcare with a mix of public and private options.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters; generally pleasant for outdoor activities.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Some risk of typhoons during summer and early autumn but generally manageable.
🏞️ Green Spaces
67%
Weight: 10
Several parks and coastal green areas, though urban density limits large green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
85%
Weight: 15
Widely available in homes, offices, and public transport due to warm climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
52%
Weight: 10
Mild seasonal changes with hot summers and mild winters; limited variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in urban areas, especially near traffic and markets.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with a mix of traditional Fujianese and modern influences.
🌃 Nightlife
59%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife scene with bars and clubs but less vibrant than larger Chinese cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
74%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, islands, and hiking spots nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Mandarin and local dialects through schools and informal settings.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural tours, food experiences, and historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
80%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful local cuisine with many seafood options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios compared to major international cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available but not as widespread or specialized.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce and seafood readily available; healthy eating is accessible.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
50%
Weight: 20
GMT+8 timezone is favorable for Asia-Pacific but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
57%
Weight: 25
Some professional and expat networking events but limited compared to major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and less visible.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than top-tier cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
59%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem focused on tech and manufacturing sectors.
💳 Local Payment Services
73%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are ubiquitous but require local bank accounts.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
32%
Weight: 15
Strict regulations limit crypto use and blockchain startups.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport offers good domestic and some international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
71%
Weight: 20
Bus and metro systems are efficient and affordable.
🚶 Walkability
64%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable but some suburban areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Didi and other ride-hailing apps widely used and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Bike lanes exist but traffic can be heavy; bike-sharing services available.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75%
Weight: 15
High-speed rail and buses connect Xiamen to other major cities efficiently.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
63%
Weight: 10
Bike-sharing is popular; electric scooter rentals less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
35%
Weight: 20
VPN use is restricted and can be unreliable due to government controls.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
82%
Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some areas but often slow and insecure.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
30%
Weight: 40
Visa regulations are strict; long-term stays require complex procedures.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners with limited incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
21%
Weight: 15
Significant restrictions on speech and internet censorship.
🏛️ Political Stability
75%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with strong government control.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation and language barriers.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic but improving; requires local partnerships or agents.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
45%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
32%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads in Xiamen.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
79%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Safe for women but cultural norms may require caution in some areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners may experience occasional discrimination.