Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
74%
Weight: 150
Saint-Étienne is significantly more affordable than major French cities like Paris or Lyon, offering good value for money.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
78%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively low compared to larger French cities, with a variety of options for short and long-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
71%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce at reasonable prices; dining out is affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive with efficient bus and tram networks; bike rentals are also affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Cinema, museums, and cultural events are reasonably priced, making entertainment accessible.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
73%
Weight: 10
Monthly gym fees are moderate, with several budget-friendly fitness centers available.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Euro is a stable currency with low volatility, providing financial security.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
86%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available, with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
62%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to larger cities, but quality options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good seating, but not widespread.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
41%
Weight: 100
Saint-Étienne is not a well-known digital nomad hotspot, attracting fewer remote workers.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
83%
Weight: 30
The city offers a relaxed pace of life with good work-life balance and cultural activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality with ongoing efforts to improve green spaces and reduce pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
72%
Weight: 10
Public areas and streets are generally clean, though some industrial zones show wear.
🗨️ Language Barrier
55%
Weight: 30
French is dominant; English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas, posing some challenges.
💨 Air Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Air quality is average, with occasional pollution due to industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; quieter city suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare facilities and professionals is good, consistent with French standards.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
89%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable and accessible, with good insurance coverage options.
🏥 Healthcare
88%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is efficient, with well-equipped hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
52%
Weight: 80
Temperate oceanic climate with cool winters and moderate summers; somewhat rainy and cloudy.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
85%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
74%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nearby natural areas provide good access to green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
43%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not common in residential buildings due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild summers and cool winters, but limited extreme weather.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; some industrial areas can be noisy.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich industrial heritage with museums, theaters, and cultural festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is modest with some bars and clubs, but less vibrant than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
76%
Weight: 15
Close to natural parks and hiking trails, offering good outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and community classes available, but limited compared to bigger cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65%
Weight: 10
Local tours focus on industrial history and regional culture, but options are limited.
🎳 Indoors Fun
67%
Weight: 10
Museums, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Good selection of traditional French cuisine and local specialties; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios exist, but not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
71%
Weight: 15
Several gyms and sports centers available with varied offerings.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Organic markets and health food stores are present but limited in number.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
84%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is favorable for coordinating with most European countries and parts of Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
54%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads; more opportunities in Lyon nearby.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Local job market is not heavily focused on remote work; more opportunities in larger cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
53%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community with limited local support structures.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but fewer in number and less modern than in bigger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
51%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but still small and developing.
💳 Local Payment Services
78%
Weight: 10
Good availability of local banking and payment services, including contactless and mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption and infrastructure for blockchain and crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport with limited flights; Lyon airport nearby offers more options.
🚇 Public Transit
79%
Weight: 20
Efficient tram and bus network covers the city well.
🚶 Walkability
76%
Weight: 20
City center is compact and walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services operate but less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
72%
Weight: 10
Bike lanes and rental services available; terrain is hilly but manageable.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good train connections to Lyon and other major cities; bus services also available.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals are common; electric scooter rentals are limited.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G coverage throughout the city; 5G rollout in progress.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
92%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
64%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
55%
Weight: 40
France has standard Schengen visa rules; no specific digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
48%
Weight: 30
French tax system is complex and relatively high compared to other countries.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
91%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech under French law.
🏛️ Political Stability
87%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment with occasional protests.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be bureaucratic and requires residency proof.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and some delays.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in France as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
57%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly for nomads but lacks specialized infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
43%
Weight: 25
Few digital nomad events or meetups occur locally.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence for Saint-Étienne digital nomads compared to larger cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
71%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with some petty crime; standard urban precautions advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
75%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
68%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; occasional incidents but generally inclusive.