Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Save on international money transfers.

Affiliate disclosure

Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻
#898 ,

Nomad Score: 70%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
78% Weight: 150
Riga offers a relatively low cost of living compared to Western Europe, making it attractive for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65% Weight: 80
Affordable rental prices, especially for shared apartments, though prices can vary significantly by area.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72% Weight: 40
Groceries are reasonably priced, and dining out is affordable, with a range of local and international options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80% Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive and efficient, with a good network of buses, trams, and trolleybuses.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are reasonably priced, though high-end venues can be more expensive.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
75% Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable, with various options available for fitness enthusiasts.
💱 Currency Stability
85% Weight: 30
The Euro is stable, providing a reliable currency for transactions.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
83% Weight: 100
High-speed internet is widely available, making it suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
70% Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, catering to the growing digital nomad community.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, creating a conducive environment for remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
78% Weight: 30
A good number of cafes are welcoming to digital nomads, with comfortable seating and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
60% Weight: 100
Riga is becoming more popular among digital nomads, but it is still not as well-known as other European cities.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
75% Weight: 30
A balanced lifestyle is common, with a focus on leisure and social activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70% Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality, though urban areas can have pollution issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
75% Weight: 10
Riga is relatively clean, with regular maintenance of public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65% Weight: 30
While many locals speak English, especially in urban areas, some may struggle with communication.
💨 Air Quality
72% Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good, though it can vary with traffic and industrial activity.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
78% Weight: 20
Healthcare services are of good quality, with modern facilities and trained professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80% Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable, especially for EU citizens, with reasonable costs for services.
🏥 Healthcare
75% Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is efficient, with both public and private options available.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
50% Weight: 80
Weather can be cold and rainy, especially in winter, which may not appeal to everyone.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
85% Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters, making it a safe place to live.
🏞️ Green Spaces
75% Weight: 10
Riga has several parks and green areas, providing a nice escape from urban life.
❄️ Air Conditioning
50% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in newer buildings but not universally available.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65% Weight: 10
Experiences four distinct seasons, which can be appealing to some.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
80% Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and festivals reflecting Latvian heritage.
🌃 Nightlife
70% Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with a variety of bars and clubs, though not as extensive as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
75% Weight: 15
Access to beautiful nature, including parks and nearby beaches.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Limited formal language courses available, but some informal options exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75% Weight: 10
Various local tours and experiences available, showcasing the city's history and culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65% Weight: 10
Several indoor activities available, including museums and entertainment centers.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
75% Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with both traditional Latvian cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
70% Weight: 10
A growing number of yoga studios catering to different styles and levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
75% Weight: 15
Good availability of fitness facilities, including gyms and sports centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy food options in restaurants and grocery stores.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65% Weight: 20
Time zone may not be ideal for all remote workers, depending on their client base.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60% Weight: 25
Growing community of digital nomads, but fewer networking events compared to larger cities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55% Weight: 20
Limited remote job opportunities compared to larger tech hubs.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50% Weight: 20
Emerging freelance ecosystem, but still developing in comparison to more established cities.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are generally well-equipped and comfortable.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
60% Weight: 15
A growing startup scene, but still not as vibrant as in other European capitals.
💳 Local Payment Services
80% Weight: 10
Widely used payment services, including contactless payments and mobile banking.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
65% Weight: 15
Increasing interest in blockchain and crypto, but not yet mainstream.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
70% Weight: 30
Riga International Airport offers decent connectivity to major European cities.
🚇 Public Transit
80% Weight: 20
Reliable and efficient public transport system, making it easy to navigate the city.
🚶 Walkability
75% Weight: 20
City center is very walkable, with pedestrian-friendly areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services are available but not as widespread as in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
65% Weight: 10
Cycling is becoming more popular, with some bike lanes, but infrastructure is still developing.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75% Weight: 15
Good options for intercity travel via bus and train services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
60% Weight: 10
Rental options are available, but not as extensive as in larger cities.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80% Weight: 20
Good mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75% Weight: 20
VPN services are generally reliable, with good internet infrastructure.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
85% Weight: 15
Stable power grid with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
70% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in many public spaces, though quality can vary.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
65% Weight: 40
Visa processes can be bureaucratic, but options are available for digital nomads.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60% Weight: 30
Tax rates are moderate, with some incentives for businesses.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
75% Weight: 15
Generally good freedom of speech, though some limitations exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
80% Weight: 20
Stable political environment, contributing to a safe living situation.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
65% Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be straightforward, but may require documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but can involve some bureaucracy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
50% Weight: 35
Limited options for digital nomad visas, though some programs are being developed.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
65% Weight: 50
Increasingly becoming nomad-friendly, but still has room for improvement.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55% Weight: 25
Fewer organized events for nomads compared to larger cities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60% Weight: 20
Growing online community presence, but not as established as in other locations.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
85% Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
75% Weight: 50
Riga is considered safe and welcoming for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society, though some issues may arise in specific contexts.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.