Forum
Analytics
Birmingham, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#622
,
Nomad Score:
59%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Higher than many global cities due to UK standards, but cheaper than London; moderate expenses for daily living.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high compared to many cities worldwide, though more affordable than London.
🍎 Food & Groceries
41%
Weight: 40
Supermarket prices are moderate; eating out can be expensive but there are budget-friendly options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
56%
Weight: 20
Public transport is well-developed with reasonable pricing; buses and trains are affordable for daily commuting.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
43%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are diverse but can be pricey; discounts and deals available for students and locals.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
50%
Weight: 10
Mid-range gym memberships; options from budget chains to premium facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
GBP is a stable and strong currency with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Good broadband infrastructure with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
74%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces available, especially in city center and business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular among remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes suitable for working, though some may have limited power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Growing but still limited digital nomad community compared to major hubs.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
67%
Weight: 30
Generally good work-life balance culture with reasonable working hours and leisure options.
🌳 Environmental Quality
51%
Weight: 15
Moderate air and environmental quality; some industrial areas affect local air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
City is fairly clean, with ongoing efforts to improve waste management and public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
47%
Weight: 15
Air pollution levels can be moderate due to traffic and industry, but generally acceptable.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
64%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; urban environment may be less ideal for families seeking nature.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
76%
Weight: 20
High-quality NHS services and private healthcare options available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
81%
Weight: 25
NHS provides free healthcare at point of use; private care can be costly.
🏥 Healthcare
79%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access and quality.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Temperate maritime climate with frequent rain and overcast days; mild summers and cold winters.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
94%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
68%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas within the city, including large public parks.
❄️ Air Conditioning
23%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in most buildings due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
61%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild summers and cold winters, but limited extreme seasonal changes.
🔊 Noise Pollution
48%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in city center; quieter in residential suburbs.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and diverse communities.
🌃 Nightlife
69%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many pubs, bars, and clubs, especially in the city center.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
57%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby countryside and parks, but limited natural outdoor activities within city limits.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
72%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and cultural exchange groups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
64%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours and cultural experiences, including historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
70%
Weight: 10
Plenty of indoor entertainment options like cinemas, museums, and galleries.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with international cuisine and local British fare.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, fitness classes, and sports clubs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-focused food stores and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
64%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone is favorable for European and some American clients but less so for Asia-Pacific.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
70%
Weight: 25
Active professional and startup networking events, especially in tech and creative sectors.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
66%
Weight: 20
Moderate availability of remote jobs; UK market is growing in remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
68%
Weight: 20
Supportive freelance community with access to co-working and networking.
🏢 Coworking Quality
73%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
67%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing investment and support.
💳 Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments, contactless cards, and mobile wallets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
54%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but still limited mainstream adoption and regulation.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
71%
Weight: 30
Birmingham Airport offers good domestic and European connections; major international hubs nearby.
🚇 Public Transit
75%
Weight: 20
Extensive bus and train networks with frequent services.
🚶 Walkability
69%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian zones and good sidewalks.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
78%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services widely available.
🚲 Cycling
52%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is improving but still limited compared to leading cycling cities.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
76%
Weight: 15
Excellent rail connections to London and other UK cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
43%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooters; some bike rental schemes exist.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
84%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage across the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
89%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes and public spaces but not universally free.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
35%
Weight: 40
UK visa process is strict and can be costly; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex tax system for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
88%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional policy changes.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
51%
Weight: 15
Can be challenging for non-residents; requires proof of address and documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
72%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process with online options.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
58%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but visa and cost issues limit appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
54%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but smaller community compared to major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but less prominent than larger cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
67%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with some areas requiring caution, typical of large cities.
♀️ Female Friendly
73%
Weight: 50
Good gender equality and safety measures; supportive community.
✊ Racial Tolerance
69%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.