Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to global standards, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are affordable, with options ranging from basic apartments to more modern accommodations.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and restaurants offer inexpensive and fresh food options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
87%
Weight: 20
Public transportation and taxis are cheap, though public transit infrastructure is limited.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but limited; costs are generally low.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gyms are affordable but not widespread; quality varies.
💱 Currency Stability
43%
Weight: 30
Iraqi Dinar experiences moderate volatility; some inflation concerns.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
54%
Weight: 100
Internet is available but often slow and unreliable compared to global standards.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; mostly informal setups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
56%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
38%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; work-friendly environments are rare.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
20%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads; community is very small.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
75%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with reasonable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
65%
Weight: 30
Generally relaxed lifestyle but limited leisure infrastructure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
47%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and waste management are concerns; environment is improving slowly.
🧼 Cleanliness
42%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness is below average with visible litter in some areas.
🗨️ Language Barrier
35%
Weight: 30
Kurdish and Arabic are dominant; English is not widely spoken.
💨 Air Quality
40%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be moderate to high, especially in urban areas.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
40%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities and activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
39%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic; quality varies and advanced care is limited.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is a trade-off.
🏥 Healthcare
41%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available but lacks specialization and modern equipment.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
76%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters; generally sunny but can be dry.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
70%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
33%
Weight: 10
Limited 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 but limited variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
45%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; traffic and construction contribute.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich Kurdish culture with traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
🌃 Nightlife
25%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is very limited due to cultural and social norms.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
62%
Weight: 15
Nearby mountains and natural landscapes offer hiking and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal opportunities exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
58%
Weight: 10
Some cultural tours and local experiences available but limited infrastructure.
🎳 Indoors Fun
37%
Weight: 10
Indoor entertainment options are scarce.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
79%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh ingredients and traditional dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
21%
Weight: 10
Very few or no dedicated yoga studios.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
45%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available but limited variety of fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is common; healthy eating is possible but not widespread.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
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
32%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is nascent and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
25%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces exist, often lacking modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
29%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but very limited compared to global hubs.
💳 Local Payment Services
40%
Weight: 10
Cash is dominant; digital payment services are limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
31%
Weight: 15
Low adoption and regulatory clarity around crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
50%
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 vehicles.
🚶 Walkability
43%
Weight: 20
Some walkable areas but city layout and infrastructure limit pedestrian comfort.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
35%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited or non-existent; taxis are primary option.
🚲 Cycling
20%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is almost non-existent.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities; road travel is common.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
15%
Weight: 10
No formal scooter or bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
62%
Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is generally good in urban areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPN services work but occasional restrictions and slowdowns occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
48%
Weight: 15
Power outages are common, especially during summer months.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
39%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is rare and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa process is moderate; some paperwork required but generally accessible.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex and not particularly favorable for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
30%
Weight: 15
Limited freedom of speech with some government restrictions.
🏛️ Political Stability
45%
Weight: 20
Relative stability in Sulaymaniyah compared to other parts of Iraq, but regional tensions persist.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
42%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures are bureaucratic and require local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
38%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves complex processes.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
25%
Weight: 50
City is not particularly set up for digital nomads; limited infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
10%
Weight: 25
Very few or no nomad-specific events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
23%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or support networks for digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Sulaymaniyah is safer than many other Iraqi cities but caution is advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
30%
Weight: 50
Cultural norms may pose challenges for female travelers; safety and social restrictions exist.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some ethnic and cultural sensitivities remain.