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Cardiff, United Kingdom π¬π§
#632
,
Nomad Score:
62%
π° Cost & Affordability
πΈ Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to smaller UK cities, but cheaper than London; everyday expenses are manageable but not low.
π Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are rising due to demand, especially in central areas; affordable options exist but limited.
π Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Supermarkets offer reasonable prices; eating out can be moderately priced with many budget-friendly options.
π Transportation Cost
60%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with good bus and train connections; no metro system but well-covered by buses.
ποΈ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for cinemas, theaters, and events; nightlife can be affordable depending on venue.
ποΈ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost around Β£25-Β£40/month, with budget gyms available.
π± Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
GBP is a stable currency with low volatility, backed by a strong economy.
π» Digital Nomad Essentials
π Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds around 70-100 Mbps; fiber-optic increasingly available in urban areas.
π₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
71%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center and Cardiff Bay, catering to freelancers and startups.
β Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular among students and remote workers.
π»β Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes with power outlets and comfortable seating, but not as abundant as larger UK cities.
π Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Not a major hotspot for digital nomads but growing interest due to affordability and culture.
π± Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans from major providers.
π Quality of Life
βοΈ Work-Life Balance
76%
Weight: 30
Welcomes a balanced lifestyle with access to parks, cultural events, and manageable commute times.
π³ Environmental Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Urban environment with some pollution but many green spaces help maintain air quality.
π§Ό Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city streets and public areas, though some parts can be less maintained.
π¨οΈ Language Barrier
95%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal language barrier for English-speaking nomads.
π¨ Air Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality typical of mid-sized UK cities; occasional pollution spikes in traffic-heavy areas.
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities available.
π₯ Healthcare
π₯ Healthcare Quality
83%
Weight: 20
High-quality NHS services and private healthcare options available.
π Healthcare Affordability
90%
Weight: 25
NHS provides free healthcare at point of use for residents; private care is more costly.
π₯ Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to specialists and emergency services.
πΏ Climate & Environment
βοΈ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Temperate maritime climate with frequent rain and overcast skies; mild summers but often grey and damp.
πͺοΈ Natural Disaster Risk
94%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or wildfires.
ποΈ Green Spaces
75%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and proximity to countryside and coast provide ample green spaces.
βοΈ Air Conditioning
20%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in homes and offices due to mild climate.
π Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons but mild; winters are cool and wet, summers mild and occasionally sunny.
π Noise Pollution
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in city center; quieter in residential neighborhoods.
π Culture & Entertainment
π Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich Welsh culture with museums, theaters, music venues, and festivals.
π Nightlife
64%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with pubs, bars, and clubs mainly centered around city center and Cardiff Bay.
ποΈ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Close to national parks, coastline, and hiking trails; good for weekend nature escapes.
π£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Welsh language classes available; English immersion is natural but limited formal language schools.
π§ Local Experiences & Tours
70%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours, historical sites, and local festivals to explore.
π³ Indoors Fun
68%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, cinemas, and theaters provide indoor entertainment options.
π Food & Fitness
π½οΈ Food Scene
72%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including traditional Welsh cuisine and international restaurants.
π§ Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, though not as numerous as in larger cities.
ποΈ Fitness Facilities
69%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, sports centers, and fitness classes.
π₯ Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Growing number of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.
πΌ Work Environment
π°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone aligns well with Europe and North America for remote work.
π€ Networking Opportunities
63%
Weight: 25
Active startup and tech community with meetups and events, but smaller scale than London.
π» Remote Job Opportunities
58%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from broader UK or international companies.
π Freelance Ecosystem
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community with coworking spaces supporting independent workers.
π’ Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities, though fewer in number than major hubs.
π Business & Economy
π Startup Scene
62%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem supported by universities and local government initiatives.
π³ Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of contactless payments, mobile wallets, and banking apps.
π Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; some local meetups but not a major crypto hub.
π Transportation
βοΈ Airport Connectivity
67%
Weight: 30
Cardiff Airport offers domestic and some European flights; major international travel requires London airports.
π Public Transit
65%
Weight: 20
Reliable bus network and regional trains; no underground metro system.
πΆ Walkability
74%
Weight: 20
City center is compact and walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
π Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local taxi apps widely available.
π² Cycling
63%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but still developing; weather can be a deterrent.
π Intercity Travel Options
72%
Weight: 15
Good rail and bus connections to other UK cities.
π΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited e-scooter schemes; some bike rental options but not widespread.
π‘ Connectivity
π± Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
π VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
β‘ Power Grid Reliability
89%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
πΆ Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries, cafes, and some public areas but not ubiquitous.
βοΈ Legal & Administrative
π Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
UK visa process can be complex and costly for non-EU nationals; no specific digital nomad visa.
π Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
UK tax system is comprehensive but can be high for freelancers and remote workers.
π£οΈ Freedom of Speech
92%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
ποΈ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with established democratic institutions.
π¦ Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Can be bureaucratic for foreigners; requires proof of address and documentation.
π Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process to register a business online.
πβοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in the UK as of mid-2025.
π Digital Nomad Community
π Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but lacks specific nomad services and visas.
π€ Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events but not a major hub for digital nomad gatherings.
ππ₯ Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Some active online groups and forums for Cardiff-based remote workers.
π‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance
π‘οΈ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates; usual urban precautions advised.
βοΈ Female Friendly
75%
Weight: 50
Welcoming and safe environment for women; good access to services and community.
β Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with ongoing efforts to promote inclusion and tolerance.