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Nomad Score: 57%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
51% Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Seoul; cheaper than major metropolitan areas but still higher than smaller cities in South Korea.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
47% Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be high in central areas; limited options for short-term furnished apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63% Weight: 40
Local markets and Korean cuisine are affordable; imported goods and western food items are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78% Weight: 20
Public transportation is efficient and affordable with buses and taxis widely available.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
54% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but somewhat limited compared to larger cities; prices are moderate.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
59% Weight: 10
Gyms are available with reasonable monthly fees, though premium facilities cost more.
💱 Currency Stability
86% Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
94% Weight: 100
One of the fastest and most reliable internet infrastructures globally, with widespread fiber-optic coverage.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
43% Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces compared to Seoul or Busan; some options exist but not abundant.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though some may have limited seating or noise issues.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
48% Weight: 30
Few cafes specifically catering to digital nomads; most are traditional coffee shops without dedicated workspaces.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
21% Weight: 100
Ulsan is not a popular destination for digital nomads; most prefer Seoul or Busan.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans for tourists and residents.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
56% Weight: 30
South Korea has a culture of long working hours, but Ulsan’s industrial base offers a more balanced pace than Seoul.
🌳 Environmental Quality
42% Weight: 15
Industrial city with pollution concerns; air and water quality can be affected by heavy industry.
🧼 Cleanliness
71% Weight: 10
Public areas and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
37% Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Korean language skills are important.
💨 Air Quality
39% Weight: 15
Air pollution is a concern due to industrial activity; occasional poor air quality days.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
62% Weight: 25
Good schools and family amenities; less entertainment options for children.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
85% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities available; South Korea is known for advanced medical services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79% Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance and government subsidies.
🏥 Healthcare
83% Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with modern hospitals and clinics.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
52% Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; some rainfall and humidity in summer.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
76% Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and minor earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
50% Weight: 10
Limited green spaces within the industrial city; some parks and riverside areas available.
❄️ Air Conditioning
74% Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are equipped with air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
78% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with spring cherry blossoms and colorful autumn foliage.
🔊 Noise Pollution
44% Weight: 10
Industrial areas can be noisy; central residential areas quieter but some traffic noise.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
61% Weight: 20
Rich Korean cultural heritage with local festivals and traditional cuisine.
🌃 Nightlife
38% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to Seoul or Busan; mostly local bars and karaoke.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
53% Weight: 15
Nearby mountains and coastal areas offer outdoor activities but limited within city.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Several language institutes available; Korean language learning is accessible.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
45% Weight: 10
Few tourist-focused experiences; more industrial and local community-oriented.
🎳 Indoors Fun
57% Weight: 10
Shopping centers, cinemas, and cultural centers available but limited variety.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
68% Weight: 25
Good local Korean food options; fewer international cuisine choices.
🧠 Yoga Studios
41% Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios; more prevalent in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available; fewer specialized facilities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
62% Weight: 15
Traditional Korean diet includes healthy options; organic and health food stores limited.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79% Weight: 20
UTC+9 time zone suitable for working with Asia-Pacific clients; less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
39% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads or startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40% Weight: 20
Local job market focused on manufacturing and industry; fewer remote job openings.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
35% Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and less developed.
🏢 Coworking Quality
40% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are basic with limited amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
32% Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is minimal compared to Seoul or Busan.
💳 Local Payment Services
73% Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments and mobile wallets; some limitations for foreigners.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
56% Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto; regulatory environment is cautious.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
64% Weight: 30
Ulsan Airport offers domestic flights; nearest international airport is in Busan (Gimhae).
🚇 Public Transit
67% Weight: 20
Bus network is extensive; no subway system in Ulsan.
🚶 Walkability
51% Weight: 20
Walkable in central areas; suburban and industrial zones less pedestrian-friendly.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60% Weight: 15
Taxi services are common; ride-sharing apps like KakaoTaxi widely used.
🚲 Cycling
43% Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; some bike paths along rivers.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75% Weight: 15
Good connectivity by bus and train to other major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
38% Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter or bike rentals for tourists or nomads.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91% Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
77% Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably; some restrictions on certain platforms.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90% Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
42% Weight: 40
Standard South Korean visa process; no special digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
48% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; relatively high income tax rates.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79% Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with some limitations on sensitive topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
83% Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50% Weight: 15
Foreigners can open accounts but process requires documentation and can be slow.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
54% Weight: 10
Business registration is bureaucratic but manageable with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available in South Korea.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
36% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25% Weight: 25
Very few events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
33% Weight: 20
Small online presence for Ulsan digital nomads; most communities centered in Seoul.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
87% Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe environment for foreigners.
♀️ Female Friendly
71% Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women; some cultural conservatism.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50% Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners may experience occasional social barriers.

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