💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
21%
Weight: 150
Norway is generally expensive, and Ålesund is no exception, with high prices for goods and services compared to global averages.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
23%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially for short-term stays; limited budget options for digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
25%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are costly due to import reliance and high taxes.
🚌 Transportation Cost
40%
Weight: 20
Public transport is reliable but moderately expensive; limited options outside city center.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
30%
Weight: 15
Entertainment venues are pricey, with fewer budget-friendly options.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
35%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately expensive but facilities are generally high quality.
💱 Currency Stability
92%
Weight: 30
Norwegian krone is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces, but some quality options exist in the city center.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, though not all are optimized for long work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
59%
Weight: 30
Moderate number of cafes suitable for digital nomads, but fewer than in larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
20%
Weight: 100
Ålesund is not a well-known digital nomad hotspot; low community presence.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Norway is known for excellent work-life balance and labor protections.
🌳 Environmental Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Clean air, low pollution, and well-preserved natural surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
96%
Weight: 10
City is very clean with efficient waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
70%
Weight: 30
Most locals speak English well, but Norwegian is dominant in daily life.
💨 Air Quality
97%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to low industrial activity and coastal location.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
93%
Weight: 20
High-quality public healthcare system with modern facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is subsidized but can be costly for non-residents without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
90%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services available, though access may require residency.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
12%
Weight: 80
Cold, wet, and often overcast weather with long winters and short summers.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
85%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters; occasional storms but no major seismic activity.
🏞️ Green Spaces
88%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and natural areas within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
20%
Weight: 15
Rarely needed due to cool climate; most buildings lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
75%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with snowy winters and mild summers, but limited sunshine.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich Norwegian cultural heritage with museums and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
35%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly quiet evenings with few bars and clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to fjords, hiking, and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and informal opportunities to learn Norwegian.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
72%
Weight: 10
Good availability of nature tours and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options, especially during winter.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
55%
Weight: 25
Focus on seafood and traditional Norwegian cuisine; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, mostly small and community-based.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh seafood and organic produce.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Central European Time zone suitable for European clients but less ideal for Asia or Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Moderate opportunities, mostly in tech and maritime sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community with limited support infrastructure.
🏢 Coworking Quality
55%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are decent but few in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
40%
Weight: 15
Small startup ecosystem focused on maritime and tech niches.
💳 Local Payment Services
75%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of mobile payments and contactless cards.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited mainstream adoption.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
60%
Weight: 30
Ålesund Airport offers domestic and some international flights; limited direct long-haul connections.
🚇 Public Transit
55%
Weight: 20
Local buses available but limited routes and frequency.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Compact city center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
30%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps; taxis are expensive.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but weather and terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good bus and ferry connections to other Norwegian cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
40%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; some bike rentals available seasonally.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G/5G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
95%
Weight: 15
Very reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to cafes and some public buildings.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
35%
Weight: 40
Norway has strict visa requirements; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
20%
Weight: 30
High taxes on income and services; complex tax system for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
98%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
97%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
30%
Weight: 15
Difficult for non-residents; requires Norwegian ID and proof of residence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderately straightforward but bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available in Norway.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
30%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad-specific events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for Ålesund digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
96%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
90%
Weight: 50
Norway is generally very safe and respectful towards women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society, though some challenges with integration exist.