Erbil, Iraq 🇮🇶
#459
36.191174, 44.009414
Nomad Score:
49%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Overall, Erbil offers a low cost of living compared to many Western cities, making it attractive for budget-conscious nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Rent prices are reasonable, especially for long-term stays, but can vary significantly depending on location and amenities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
82%
Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries provide affordable and diverse food options, with fresh produce widely available.
🚌 Transportation Cost
60%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited, but taxis and ride-sharing services are affordable for short distances.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but can be pricier than local dining, especially for international events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
40%
Weight: 10
Limited gym facilities with varying membership costs; higher-end gyms can be expensive.
💱 Currency Stability
55%
Weight: 30
The Iraqi Dinar has seen fluctuations, but overall stability has improved in recent years.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Internet speed is decent, with many areas having access to broadband, though reliability can vary.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
35%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist, and they may not offer the amenities found in larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
60%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but the quality and speed can be inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
45%
Weight: 30
Limited options for digital nomads; some cafes are more conducive to working than others.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
20%
Weight: 100
Erbil is not a popular destination for digital nomads, leading to fewer networking opportunities.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
65%
Weight: 30
A slower pace of life allows for a good work-life balance, though cultural norms may vary.
🌳 Environmental Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Environmental quality is moderate, with some areas experiencing pollution from traffic.
🧼 Cleanliness
45%
Weight: 10
Cleanliness varies; urban areas may have litter and waste management issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Arabic and Kurdish are the primary languages, which can pose a barrier for non-speakers.
💨 Air Quality
40%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor due to vehicle emissions and dust, especially in urban areas.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
55%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are available but may not meet international standards.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are generally affordable, but quality may vary.
🏥 Healthcare
50%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare is accessible, but specialized services may require travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
75%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters make for generally pleasant weather, though summers can be extreme.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
The region has some risk of conflict and instability, which can affect safety.
🏞️ Green Spaces
35%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in urban areas; parks exist but are not abundant.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in buildings due to hot summers, providing comfort.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
55%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily hot summers and mild winters.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
60%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with historical sites, though modern cultural activities are limited.
🌃 Nightlife
40%
Weight: 15
Nightlife options are limited, with few bars and clubs available.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Nearby natural attractions offer opportunities for outdoor activities, though access may be limited.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
30%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language learning opportunities for Arabic or Kurdish.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
50%
Weight: 10
Some local tours available, but options are not as extensive as in more tourist-friendly cities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; few malls and recreational facilities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with a mix of local and regional cuisines, though international options are limited.
🧠 Yoga Studios
20%
Weight: 10
Very few yoga studios available, limiting options for fitness enthusiasts.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
40%
Weight: 15
Limited fitness facilities; options may not meet the expectations of serious fitness enthusiasts.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60%
Weight: 15
Some healthy food options available, particularly in local markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
50%
Weight: 20
Time zone may not be favorable for all remote work schedules, particularly for those in the Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
25%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities for digital nomads; few events or communities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30%
Weight: 20
Limited remote job opportunities in the local market; most jobs are not remote-friendly.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
20%
Weight: 20
Minimal freelance ecosystem; few platforms and local clients available.
🏢 Coworking Quality
30%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces, where available, may lack quality and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
25%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup scene; few resources or support for entrepreneurs.
💳 Local Payment Services
40%
Weight: 10
Cash is still king; limited digital payment options available.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
15%
Weight: 15
Very low adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrencies; regulatory environment is uncertain.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
50%
Weight: 30
Erbil International Airport offers some international flights, but connectivity is limited.
🚇 Public Transit
30%
Weight: 20
Public transit options are minimal; reliance on taxis is common.
🚶 Walkability
40%
Weight: 20
Some areas are walkable, but urban planning is not conducive to pedestrian traffic.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services are available and affordable, though not as widespread as in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
20%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is lacking, making it unsafe for cyclists in many areas.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
40%
Weight: 15
Intercity travel options exist but can be limited and unreliable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20%
Weight: 10
Very few options for scooter or bike rentals; limited availability.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
60%
Weight: 20
Mobile network coverage is decent, with several providers available.
🔒 VPN Reliability
50%
Weight: 20
VPN services are generally reliable, but local restrictions can affect access.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
45%
Weight: 15
Power outages can occur, affecting reliability for remote work.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
30%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable in public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be bureaucratic and time-consuming for foreigners.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are moderate, but the system can be complex for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
30%
Weight: 15
Freedom of speech is limited, with restrictions on media and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
40%
Weight: 20
Political stability is a concern, with ongoing regional tensions affecting safety.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be complicated for foreigners, requiring extensive documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
30%
Weight: 10
Business registration processes are bureaucratic and can be challenging.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
10%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available; visa options are limited.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
20%
Weight: 50
Erbil is not particularly nomad-friendly, with few resources or communities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
15%
Weight: 25
Very few events or meetups for digital nomads; limited community presence.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
20%
Weight: 20
Limited online community presence for digital nomads in Erbil.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
40%
Weight: 100
Safety can be a concern due to regional instability; caution is advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
45%
Weight: 50
Cultural norms can be restrictive for women, though some progress has been made.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Racial tolerance varies; some communities are more welcoming than others.