Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Saint-Étienne is more affordable than major French cities like Paris or Lyon, with moderate living costs suitable for budget-conscious digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
78%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively low compared to larger French cities, offering good value for apartments and shared housing.
🍎 Food & Groceries
70%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are reasonable, with access to local markets and supermarkets offering affordable fresh produce.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with efficient bus and tram networks; monthly passes are inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
65%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderately priced but fewer in variety compared to bigger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable, with several mid-range fitness centers available.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Euro is a stable currency with low volatility, providing financial predictability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Good broadband infrastructure with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to larger cities, but a few quality options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, though not all are optimized for long work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
59%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers, but the scene is still developing.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Saint-Étienne is not a well-known digital nomad hotspot, attracting few international remote workers.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase with good prepaid options.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
83%
Weight: 30
French labor laws and local culture promote a healthy work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
61%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality with some industrial pollution; ongoing efforts to improve green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
67%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean but some areas show signs of urban wear.
🗨️ Language Barrier
45%
Weight: 30
French is dominant; English proficiency is limited outside younger populations and tourist spots.
💨 Air Quality
58%
Weight: 15
Air quality is average with occasional pollution spikes due to nearby industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Decent family amenities and schools, but limited international options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
Access to quality public healthcare facilities consistent with French standards.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
89%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable and often covered by insurance; private options are more expensive.
🏥 Healthcare
88%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to specialists and emergency services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
41%
Weight: 80
Temperate oceanic climate with cool winters and mild summers; frequent rain and overcast days.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
85%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
69%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas, though less abundant than in larger cities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
37%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not widespread due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
73%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild summers and cool winters, but limited extreme weather.
🔊 Noise Pollution
54%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; some areas near traffic or nightlife can be noisy.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich industrial heritage with museums, theaters, and cultural events.
🌃 Nightlife
51%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is modest with some bars and clubs but limited compared to bigger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Proximity to natural parks and hiking areas in the Loire region.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
62%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and community classes available for French learners.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
57%
Weight: 10
Limited tourist infrastructure but some local tours and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Museums, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
68%
Weight: 25
Good local cuisine with traditional French restaurants and affordable eateries.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
A few yoga studios exist but options are limited.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Several gyms and sports centers available, though not extensive.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Availability of organic markets and health-focused cafes is growing.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is convenient for European and some African/Asian markets.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
48%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads and startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Local job market is modest; most remote jobs come from outside the city.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
49%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but slowly growing.
🏢 Coworking Quality
52%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack some amenities found in larger hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
43%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with some incubators but limited scale.
💳 Local Payment Services
75%
Weight: 10
Standard European payment services widely available; contactless payments common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption and infrastructure for blockchain and crypto services.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
56%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport with limited flights; Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport nearby offers better connectivity.
🚇 Public Transit
74%
Weight: 20
Efficient tram and bus network covers the city well.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
City center is compact and walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
63%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing options are available but less prevalent than in bigger cities.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure exists but not extensive.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good train connections to Lyon and other French cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooter and bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
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
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
42%
Weight: 40
France has strict visa requirements; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
39%
Weight: 30
High taxation rates for residents; not particularly tax-friendly for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
87%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech under French law.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment with occasional protests.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be bureaucratic, especially for non-residents.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; online options exist but paperwork can be complex.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in France as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
47%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
41%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for Saint-Étienne digital nomads compared to larger cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
70%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with some petty crime in urban areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
72%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some challenges exist but generally peaceful.