Galway, Ireland 🇮🇪
#867
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
41%
Weight: 150
Galway is moderately expensive compared to other Irish cities, with higher costs than rural areas but cheaper than Dublin.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
37%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high due to demand and limited supply, especially for short-term stays favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
52%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately priced, with a good mix of affordable and premium options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
68%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with bus services; however, limited compared to larger cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are reasonably priced, with pubs, theaters, and cultural events accessible.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
59%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available in the city.
💱 Currency Stability
96%
Weight: 30
Euro currency is stable and widely accepted, ensuring low currency risk.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
73%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and 4G coverage, with fiber-optic available in many areas; speeds suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
64%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than in larger cities; growing community.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable environments for working.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
71%
Weight: 30
A good number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
56%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among European nomads than globally.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with a relaxed lifestyle and cultural activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air quality and proximity to nature.
🧼 Cleanliness
79%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city with good public maintenance.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
80%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to low industrial pollution and coastal location.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
72%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; suitable for families with children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
77%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services available, though some wait times exist.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
51%
Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive without insurance; public system has limitations for non-residents.
🏥 Healthcare
74%
Weight: 20
Good overall healthcare infrastructure with access to hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
32%
Weight: 80
Mild but often rainy and overcast; lacks consistent sunshine which may affect mood.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
94%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
87%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and nearby natural areas for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
21%
Weight: 15
Rarely needed and often not installed in buildings, which can be uncomfortable in rare warm spells.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
63%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but mild; winters are wet and cool, summers mild.
🔊 Noise Pollution
76%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter residential areas available.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
89%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, music, and arts vibrant in the city.
🌃 Nightlife
67%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with pubs and live music, though smaller scale than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
88%
Weight: 15
Close to scenic landscapes, beaches, and hiking trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Irish Gaelic and English language courses available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Good range of cultural tours, historical sites, and local experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and galleries available but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with emphasis on seafood and traditional Irish cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
62%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios exist but not as widespread as in larger urban centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-conscious food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone is favorable for European and North American remote work overlap.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
63%
Weight: 25
Growing tech and creative communities provide networking but smaller scale.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
59%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
61%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community with some support networks.
🏢 Coworking Quality
67%
Weight: 30
Good quality coworking spaces with modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
58%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but overshadowed by Dublin.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Standard European payment services widely accepted; contactless and mobile payments common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption but growing interest in crypto communities.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
62%
Weight: 30
Galway Airport is small; main international access via Shannon or Dublin airports.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
Bus services available but limited routes and frequency.
🚶 Walkability
83%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
54%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps compared to larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure but not extensive; weather can be a deterrent.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Bus and train connections to other cities exist but can be slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
81%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
89%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
85%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
43%
Weight: 40
Ireland has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special tax incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
95%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Can be challenging for non-residents; requires documentation and local address.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
64%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward but bureaucratic processes can be slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with growing awareness but limited infrastructure.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events but not frequent.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups for Galway-based nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
86%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
84%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional issues reported; improving diversity.