Forum
Analytics
Galway, Ireland 🇮🇪
#867
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
31%
Weight: 150
Galway is moderately expensive compared to many European cities, with higher costs than Eastern Europe but cheaper than Dublin.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high due to demand and limited supply, especially for short-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
42%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are somewhat pricey but offer good quality, with many local and organic options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with bus services; however, options are limited compared to larger cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment venues are moderately priced, with pubs and cultural events being the main attractions.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available including budget gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
Euro currency is stable with low inflation and strong economic backing.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
73%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and 4G/5G coverage, though speeds can vary in rural outskirts.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
68%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, but fewer than in larger Irish cities like Dublin.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi, popular among locals and visitors alike.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
A good number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among European nomads than globally.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with a relaxed lifestyle and cultural focus on leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
81%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air quality and proximity to natural landscapes.
🧼 Cleanliness
78%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city streets and public areas, though some tourist spots can be crowded.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
83%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and limited heavy industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
78%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities available.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
79%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services available, though public system can have waiting times.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
50%
Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive without insurance; private options are costly.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
Reliable healthcare infrastructure with access to both public and private providers.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
30%
Weight: 80
Mild but often rainy and overcast; lacks consistent sunshine, which may affect mood.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
96%
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
20%
Weight: 15
Rarely needed due to cool climate; most accommodations lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
60%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons but mild; winters are cool and wet, summers are mild and short.
🔊 Noise Pollution
70%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with occasional noise in busy areas and nightlife districts.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
89%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with music, arts, and festivals deeply embedded in local life.
🌃 Nightlife
65%
Weight: 15
Vibrant pub scene and live music, though nightlife is quieter than in larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, coastal walks, and scenic landscapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Good opportunities to learn Irish Gaelic and improve English in an immersive environment.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
82%
Weight: 10
Many cultural tours, traditional music sessions, and historical sites available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, and theaters provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Strong focus on fresh seafood and local produce with growing international cuisine presence.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, though not as numerous as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, including some specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic, vegetarian, and vegan options in cafes and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone is convenient for European and North American remote work schedules.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60%
Weight: 25
Smaller community but active networking events for tech and creative industries.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
58%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and meetups.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than major hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
52%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with some support but overshadowed by Dublin.
💳 Local Payment Services
75%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted card payments and mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption and infrastructure for blockchain and crypto services.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Regional airport with limited international flights; major connections via Dublin airport.
🚇 Public Transit
58%
Weight: 20
Bus services available but limited coverage and frequency compared to larger cities.
🚶 Walkability
84%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets and easy access to amenities.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Uber are limited; taxis are common but more expensive.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but weather and hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
62%
Weight: 15
Bus and train connections to other Irish cities are available but not very frequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
45%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooters; some bike rental options exist.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas; 5G rollout ongoing.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Ireland has standard EU visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Relatively high taxes and social security contributions compared to some countries.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
98%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
94%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures can be bureaucratic and require proof of address and employment.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate ease with online options but some paperwork and fees involved.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in Ireland as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good amenities but lacks some infrastructure for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events, mostly informal and community-driven.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Active but small online communities focused on Galway and Irish nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
89%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe environment for residents and visitors.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women, with active support networks.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some challenges exist but improving steadily.