Forum
Analytics
Selfoss, Iceland 🇮🇸
#1545
,
Nomad Score:
54%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
31%
Weight: 150
Iceland is generally expensive; Selfoss is cheaper than Reykjavik but still costly compared to many countries.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
35%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high relative to local wages, with limited options outside of peak tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
30%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are expensive due to import costs and limited local agriculture.
🚌 Transportation Cost
42%
Weight: 20
Public transport options are limited; owning a car is common but fuel prices are high.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but moderately priced; outdoor activities are mostly free.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
50%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but membership fees are above average compared to global standards.
💱 Currency Stability
78%
Weight: 30
Icelandic Krona is relatively stable but can be volatile due to small economy size.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with reliable connectivity.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
43%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist; most nomads rely on cafes or remote work from accommodation.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
65%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though options are limited compared to larger cities.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
50%
Weight: 30
Some cafes are welcoming to remote workers but lack dedicated facilities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Selfoss is not a major digital nomad hub; more popular for tourists and locals.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
80%
Weight: 30
Strong cultural emphasis on work-life balance and outdoor activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Excellent air and water quality with pristine natural surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
90%
Weight: 10
Very clean environment with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
60%
Weight: 30
Icelandic is primary language; English is widely spoken but some locals have limited proficiency.
💨 Air Quality
97%
Weight: 15
Exceptional air quality due to low pollution and abundant nature.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Safe and clean environment with good schools nearby.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
50%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is good but can be expensive for non-residents without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable and accessible healthcare services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
20%
Weight: 80
Cold climate with frequent rain and limited sunshine, especially in winter.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk from volcanic activity and earthquakes, but well-managed.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks and green areas nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
10%
Weight: 15
Rarely needed due to cool climate; most buildings lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with long summer days and dark winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
85%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution due to small population and limited traffic.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich Icelandic culture with strong literary and musical traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
30%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more vibrant in Reykjavik.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Outstanding access to nature, hiking, hot springs, and scenic landscapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; some informal opportunities to learn Icelandic.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Good availability of tours focused on nature and Icelandic culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small museums and cultural centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
55%
Weight: 25
Unique local cuisine but limited variety and high prices.
🧠 Yoga Studios
35%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, mostly in Reykjavik.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited in number.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60%
Weight: 15
Some healthy options but overall limited due to high food costs.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT time zone works well for Europe and North America overlap.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
30%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local job market is small; most remote jobs come from outside Iceland.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
35%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community with limited local support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
40%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem centered in Reykjavik; limited in Selfoss.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Modern payment infrastructure with wide card acceptance.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto; no major hubs or events locally.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
40%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Keflavik, about 1.5 hours away by car.
🚇 Public Transit
30%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport options; mostly buses with infrequent schedules.
🚶 Walkability
60%
Weight: 20
Small town with walkable center but limited pedestrian infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
20%
Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps operational; taxis available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Some cycling paths but weather and terrain limit year-round use.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to Reykjavik and other towns but schedules are limited.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
25%
Weight: 10
Limited rental options; mostly seasonal and weather dependent.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable VPN services available with good speeds.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and clean energy grid powered largely by renewable sources.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mostly in cafes and public buildings.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Schengen visa required for many; digital nomad visa not yet available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
High tax rates; complex tax system for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
90%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40%
Weight: 15
Challenging for non-residents; strict documentation required.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderately straightforward but bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
20%
Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for Selfoss digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
95%
Weight: 100
Very low crime rates and safe environment.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society though less diverse than larger cities.