Shah Alam, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#1429
3.073942, 101.518527
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Overall affordable living costs compared to many Western cities, with reasonable prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Moderate accommodation prices, with options ranging from budget hostels to mid-range apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
84%
Weight: 40
Inexpensive local food options and affordable groceries, especially for local produce.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable, but reliance on taxis and ride-sharing can add up.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but can be pricier for international standards.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Affordable gym memberships with a variety of facilities available.
💱 Currency Stability
68%
Weight: 30
The Malaysian Ringgit has shown moderate stability, but fluctuations can occur.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
81%
Weight: 100
Generally good internet speeds, especially in urban areas, with fiber-optic options available.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
67%
Weight: 40
A growing number of coworking spaces, though still fewer than in larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
A decent selection of cafes that cater to digital nomads, though not as abundant as in major hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
55%
Weight: 100
Still emerging as a digital nomad destination, with a small but growing community.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
A relaxed lifestyle with a good balance between work and leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Moderate environmental quality, with some areas experiencing pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
60%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; some neighborhoods are well-maintained while others are less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
72%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, reducing the language barrier for many expats.
💨 Air Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be an issue, especially during certain seasons.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
80%
Weight: 20
Good quality healthcare facilities available, especially in urban areas.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
85%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are generally affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
The healthcare system is adequate, with a mix of public and private services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
70%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, though humidity can be high.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of flooding and occasional storms, but generally stable.
🏞️ Green Spaces
65%
Weight: 10
Some parks and green areas available, but urbanization limits options.
❄️ Air Conditioning
85%
Weight: 15
Widely available in most buildings, essential for comfort in the tropical climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
40%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily warm and humid throughout the year.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
68%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural diversity, with various festivals and traditions to explore.
🌃 Nightlife
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife scene, with bars and clubs, but not as vibrant as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
72%
Weight: 15
Access to nature and outdoor activities, including parks and nearby hiking trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language learning opportunities, though informal practice is possible.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65%
Weight: 10
Various local tours and experiences available, showcasing Malaysian culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Some indoor entertainment options, but fewer than in larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
80%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food scene with a mix of local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
A few yoga studios available, but not as many as in more established nomad cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fitness facilities, including gyms and sports centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy food options, especially in urban areas.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
Time zone can be challenging for some remote workers, depending on their client base.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities compared to larger cities, but growing slowly.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Fewer remote job opportunities compared to more established tech hubs.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance ecosystem, but still developing in terms of support and resources.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65%
Weight: 30
Quality of coworking spaces varies, with some excellent options available.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Developing startup scene, but not as vibrant as in larger Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Various local payment options available, including e-wallets and mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
45%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and crypto compared to more tech-forward cities.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Good connectivity to major cities, but fewer direct international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
60%
Weight: 20
Public transit is available but can be limited in coverage and frequency.
🚶 Walkability
55%
Weight: 20
Some areas are walkable, but many require transportation for longer distances.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services are available and widely used, providing convenience.
🚲 Cycling
40%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure, making it less safe and convenient for cyclists.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good options for intercity travel, including buses and trains.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited options for scooter and bike rentals compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good mobile network coverage in urban areas, with reliable service.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services are reliable, allowing for secure internet access.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Generally reliable power supply, though occasional outages can occur.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some areas, but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Visa processes are relatively straightforward for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates, but favorable for certain expat situations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
50%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions on freedom of speech, with a need for caution.
🏛️ Political Stability
65%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment, though occasional tensions can arise.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account is relatively straightforward, but may require documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration can be bureaucratic, but not overly complex.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
40%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available, limiting options for long-term stays.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Emerging as a nomad-friendly city, but still developing in terms of community and resources.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Limited events and meetups for digital nomads, but some are starting to emerge.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Growing online community presence, but still smaller than in major nomad hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for expats and tourists, with low crime rates in most areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Relatively female-friendly environment, though cultural norms may vary.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with a generally tolerant attitude towards different races.