Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to global standards, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are quite affordable, with options ranging from basic apartments to more modern accommodations.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89%
Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer inexpensive fresh produce and meals.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are very cheap, though public transit infrastructure is limited.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable but somewhat limited in variety.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available at reasonable prices but not widespread.
💱 Currency Stability
41%
Weight: 30
The Iraqi dinar has experienced volatility; some inflation concerns persist.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
53%
Weight: 100
Internet speeds are improving but still inconsistent; fiber is limited.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
37%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist; most nomads work from cafes or home.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
64%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
45%
Weight: 30
Limited number of cafes catering specifically to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
21%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination among digital nomads yet.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with reasonable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Generally relaxed lifestyle but limited leisure infrastructure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate environmental conditions; some pollution concerns.
🧼 Cleanliness
43%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies; some areas suffer from waste management issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
38%
Weight: 30
Kurdish and Arabic are dominant; English is not widely spoken.
💨 Air Quality
47%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be moderate, especially in urban areas.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
40%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities and activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
40%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic; advanced care requires travel.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is limited.
🏥 Healthcare
42%
Weight: 20
Limited access to high-quality healthcare services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny but can be dry.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
35%
Weight: 10
Few public parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
68%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in newer buildings but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
55%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with hot summers and cool winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
45%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels, especially in busy market areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
70%
Weight: 20
Rich Kurdish culture with traditional music, dance, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
32%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly cafes and small gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Nearby mountains and natural landscapes offer hiking opportunities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal learning possible.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
58%
Weight: 10
Some cultural tours and local experiences available but limited.
🎳 Indoors Fun
39%
Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment venues like cinemas or malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Good local Kurdish and Middle Eastern cuisine with fresh ingredients.
🧠 Yoga Studios
25%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of yoga or wellness studios.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
48%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and sports clubs exist but are not widespread.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is abundant; healthy eating possible but limited variety.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
63%
Weight: 20
UTC+3 time zone is moderately favorable for Europe and Asia connections.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
30%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
28%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
31%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is nascent and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
34%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
29%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is very limited and emerging.
💳 Local Payment Services
40%
Weight: 10
Cash is dominant; digital payment options are limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
32%
Weight: 15
Low adoption and limited infrastructure for crypto payments.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Sulaymaniyah International Airport offers regional flights but limited global connections.
🚇 Public Transit
27%
Weight: 20
Public transit infrastructure is minimal; reliance on taxis and private cars.
🚶 Walkability
41%
Weight: 20
Some walkable areas but overall city layout favors vehicles.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
33%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited or non-existent; taxis dominate.
🚲 Cycling
20%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is almost non-existent.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities but are basic and infrequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
15%
Weight: 10
No formal scooter or bike rental services available.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is generally good with 4G widely available.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but occasional restrictions may occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
45%
Weight: 15
Frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations are common.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
37%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
42%
Weight: 40
Visa process can be bureaucratic; some nationalities face challenges.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system is developing; low income tax but complex regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
30%
Weight: 15
Restrictions exist; sensitive topics should be approached cautiously.
🏛️ Political Stability
40%
Weight: 20
Relative stability in the Kurdish region but broader Iraq instability affects perception.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
35%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures are bureaucratic and require local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
38%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves complex paperwork.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa or specific remote work permits available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
30%
Weight: 50
Not traditionally nomad-friendly due to infrastructure and social factors.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
12%
Weight: 25
Very few or no organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
25%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence or forums dedicated to Sulaymaniyah digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Generally safe in the Kurdish region but caution advised in some areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
30%
Weight: 50
Conservative social norms may pose challenges for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; local ethnic diversity but some social conservatism.