Ipoh, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#531
4.598681, 101.090023
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Overall, Ipoh offers a very affordable cost of living compared to larger Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85%
Weight: 80
Rent prices are low, with many options available for both short-term and long-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
88%
Weight: 40
Local food is inexpensive and delicious, with a variety of street food options available.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited, but taxis and ride-sharing services are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are reasonably priced, but fewer high-end venues compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable, but options may be limited compared to bigger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
70%
Weight: 30
The Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable, though it can fluctuate.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Decent internet speeds are available, but may vary by location.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
55%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces exist, but they are growing in popularity.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
75%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to digital nomads, providing comfortable work environments.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Ipoh is not a major hub for digital nomads, but interest is slowly increasing.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
The pace of life is relaxed, promoting a good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality with some green spaces and parks.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Ipoh is relatively clean, though some areas may require more attention.
🗨️ Language Barrier
60%
Weight: 30
English is spoken in tourist areas, but proficiency can vary among locals.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good, though it can be affected by seasonal haze.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are adequate, with several hospitals and clinics available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to many Western countries.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
80%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and a mix of sunny and rainy days.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of flooding during heavy rains, but generally safe.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas available for relaxation and outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
85%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and public places are air-conditioned, providing comfort in the heat.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
40%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily tropical climate with little temperature change.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences.
🌃 Nightlife
50%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is quieter compared to larger cities, with a few bars and cafes.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
80%
Weight: 15
Surrounded by beautiful nature, with opportunities for hiking and exploring.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
45%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language learning opportunities, but local interactions can help.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
70%
Weight: 10
Various local tours available, showcasing the city's history and culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options, mostly shopping malls and cafes.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
85%
Weight: 25
Vibrant food scene with a variety of local dishes and street food.
🧠 Yoga Studios
50%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, but some gyms may offer classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60%
Weight: 15
Basic fitness facilities available, but options may be limited.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Growing awareness of healthy eating, but traditional food is often rich.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Time zone is favorable for working with Asia-Pacific regions, but less so for Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities for digital nomads, but local meetups are emerging.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Remote job opportunities are available but not as abundant as in larger cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Freelance opportunities exist but are not well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Quality of coworking spaces varies, with a few decent options available.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
40%
Weight: 15
Limited startup scene, with few resources for entrepreneurs.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Local payment services are available, but cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30%
Weight: 15
Limited awareness and adoption of blockchain and crypto technologies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
60%
Weight: 30
Ipoh has a small airport with limited flight options; larger airports are a drive away.
🚇 Public Transit
50%
Weight: 20
Public transit options are limited, with reliance on taxis and personal vehicles.
🚶 Walkability
65%
Weight: 20
Some areas are walkable, but infrastructure can be lacking in certain neighborhoods.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services like Grab are available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
40%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is limited, making it less safe for cyclists.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Buses and trains connect Ipoh to other cities, but options can be infrequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Rental options exist but are not widely advertised.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services are generally reliable for accessing international content.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
80%
Weight: 15
Power supply is generally stable, with few outages reported.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some areas, but connectivity can be spotty.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Visa processes are relatively straightforward for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
70%
Weight: 30
Malaysia has a favorable tax regime for expatriates.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions on freedom of speech; caution is advised.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment, though occasional tensions exist.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
65%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account is relatively easy for expatriates with proper documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration processes can be bureaucratic but manageable.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
30%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa; standard visa options apply.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Ipoh is gradually becoming more nomad-friendly, but still has a way to go.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
40%
Weight: 25
Limited events and meetups for digital nomads, but interest is growing.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Online communities exist but are not very active.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates, but standard precautions should be taken.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for female travelers, though cultural norms apply.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Ipoh is known for its multicultural environment and relative racial harmony.