Cardiff, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#632
,
Nomad Score:
61%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
43%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to smaller UK cities, but cheaper than London; typical UK prices for food and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
37%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high for a city of its size, with limited affordable options in central areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are average for the UK; a mix of affordable supermarkets and pricier specialty stores.
🚌 Transportation Cost
62%
Weight: 20
Public transport is reasonably priced with good bus coverage; no metro system but manageable costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for cinemas, theaters, and pubs; nightlife is affordable compared to larger UK cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Standard UK gym prices; several budget and mid-range gyms available.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
GBP is a stable currency with low volatility, backed by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds around 70-100 Mbps; fiber available in many areas but not ubiquitous.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center and business districts, but fewer than major UK hubs.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes offering free WiFi, popular among students and freelancers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and reliable WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
41%
Weight: 100
Not a major hotspot for digital nomads but growing interest due to affordability and culture.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
74%
Weight: 30
Good balance with a slower pace than London and plenty of leisure options.
🌳 Environmental Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; some industrial areas affect environment but green initiatives are in place.
🧼 Cleanliness
62%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city center and public spaces, though some areas less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, no significant language barrier for English speakers.
💨 Air Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Air quality is average with occasional pollution spikes, typical for a mid-sized UK city.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
80%
Weight: 20
NHS services are comprehensive; good hospitals and clinics available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
95%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is free at point of use for residents and visa holders under NHS.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with access to specialists and emergency care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
21%
Weight: 80
Typical Welsh weather: cool, cloudy, and rainy much of the year; limited sunshine.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
89%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
71%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city, including Bute Park and Roath Park.
❄️ Air Conditioning
32%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon due to mild summers; buildings mostly rely on heating.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
64%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons but mild; winters are cool and summers are mild with moderate rainfall.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Welsh culture with museums, theaters, music venues, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
67%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with pubs, clubs, and live music, though smaller scale than bigger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
75%
Weight: 15
Close to countryside and coast; easy access to hiking, beaches, and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Welsh language classes available; English language environment is dominant.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Good range of historical tours, cultural experiences, and day trips to nearby attractions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, cinemas, and theaters provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
69%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including traditional Welsh cuisine and international restaurants.
🧠 Yoga Studios
61%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, catering to various styles.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, sports centers, and fitness classes.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Increasing number of health-focused cafes and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone is favorable for European and some American time overlaps.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58%
Weight: 25
Growing tech and creative communities but smaller scale than London or Manchester.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
54%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from UK-wide or international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
59%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community with some support groups and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
63%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than larger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
57%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene with some incubators and accelerators but still developing.
💳 Local Payment Services
76%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments, mobile banking, and established fintech services.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but limited local infrastructure or events focused on crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
64%
Weight: 30
Cardiff Airport offers regional flights; major international airports accessible within 2 hours.
🚇 Public Transit
61%
Weight: 20
Good bus network but no metro or tram; reliable but limited coverage outside city center.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets and amenities.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
73%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but still limited compared to top cycling cities.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
72%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to London, Bristol, and other UK cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Limited e-scooter schemes; some bike rental options but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
81%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage across the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
89%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries, cafes, and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
45%
Weight: 40
UK visa process is strict and can be costly; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
48%
Weight: 30
UK tax rates are moderate but complex; no special tax benefits for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
92%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with established democratic institutions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
53%
Weight: 15
Challenging for non-residents; requires proof of address and documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process with online options and reasonable fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in the UK as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
56%
Weight: 50
Moderate friendliness; good amenities but visa and cost issues limit appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
49%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events; some general freelancer and expat meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
57%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online communities for Cardiff-based remote workers.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; standard urban precautions advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
76%
Weight: 50
Welcoming environment with good gender equality and support networks.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with generally tolerant attitudes; occasional isolated incidents.