Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Oaxaca offers a low cost of living compared to many global cities, making it attractive for budget-conscious digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85%
Weight: 80
Affordable rental options including furnished apartments and shared housing, especially outside the historic center.
🍎 Food & Groceries
90%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food provide inexpensive and authentic options; groceries are affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
92%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are very cheap; many areas are walkable reducing transport needs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
83%
Weight: 15
Cultural events, museums, and local festivals are often free or low cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
71%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but fewer in number; memberships are affordable but not as cheap as other living costs.
💱 Currency Stability
68%
Weight: 30
The Mexican Peso is moderately stable but subject to some volatility influenced by US economic factors.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
74%
Weight: 100
Good internet in central areas with speeds averaging 20-50 Mbps; occasional outages in outskirts.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
A handful of coworking spaces exist, mostly in the city center, but options are limited compared to larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good WiFi, but not widespread.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
58%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads compared to hotspots like Mexico City or Playa del Carmen.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase with valid ID and offer affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with a strong cultural emphasis on community and leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality and natural surroundings, though urban areas can have some pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
67%
Weight: 10
Historic center is relatively clean, but some peripheral areas have issues with waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; limited English spoken outside tourist areas, which can be challenging for non-Spanish speakers.
💨 Air Quality
73%
Weight: 15
Generally good, though occasional pollution spikes during dry season and urban traffic.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Good cultural and outdoor activities but limited international schools and family services.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Decent healthcare facilities in Oaxaca city; private clinics offer good services but limited compared to larger Mexican cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
85%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to US/Europe, making private care accessible.
🏥 Healthcare
72%
Weight: 20
Basic and some specialized care available; serious cases may require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
88%
Weight: 80
Warm and mostly dry climate with mild winters; ideal for those who prefer sunny weather.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; less prone to hurricanes than coastal areas.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nearby natural reserves; good access to outdoor areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not universally available; many homes and cafes rely on fans due to moderate temperatures.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Mild seasonal changes with wet and dry seasons; limited temperature variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
City center can be noisy due to traffic and nightlife; quieter in residential neighborhoods.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
95%
Weight: 20
Rich indigenous heritage, vibrant arts scene, and numerous festivals make Oaxaca culturally unique.
🌃 Nightlife
63%
Weight: 15
Modest nightlife with bars and live music, but quieter than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
84%
Weight: 15
Access to mountains, hiking, and natural parks; great for outdoor enthusiasts.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
77%
Weight: 10
Many Spanish schools and language exchange meetups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
90%
Weight: 10
Abundant cultural tours, cooking classes, and artisan workshops.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; some cinemas and cultural centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
93%
Weight: 25
World-renowned cuisine with diverse traditional dishes and vibrant markets.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers, though fewer than larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
80%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce widely available; many vegetarian and vegan-friendly eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; growing informal meetups for creatives and entrepreneurs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community but not well established locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
62%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack some amenities found in larger hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Limited startup activity; more traditional economy dominates.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Cash is king; digital payment adoption growing but still limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Interest in crypto is growing but infrastructure and acceptance remain limited.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Oaxaca International Airport offers domestic flights and some international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
65%
Weight: 20
Local buses and colectivos available but routes and schedules can be confusing.
🚶 Walkability
83%
Weight: 20
Historic center is very walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride apps operate but coverage is limited outside city center.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure but hilly terrain and traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect Oaxaca to major cities; affordable but travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter or bike rentals compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages occur but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to cafes and some public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival is straightforward; no special digital nomad visa yet.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex for foreigners; no special incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free environment, though some caution advised on sensitive topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
65%
Weight: 20
Stable overall but occasional local protests and unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation and residency requirements.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
Mexico does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community but infrastructure and services for nomads still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups but no regular large-scale nomad events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Oaxaca digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
68%
Weight: 100
Generally safe in tourist and expat areas; petty crime exists but violent crime is rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Women can live comfortably but should exercise standard urban safety precautions.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with strong indigenous cultural pride.