Forum
Analytics
Nelson, New Zealand 🇳🇿
#610
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Nelson is moderately expensive compared to many global cities, with higher costs due to New Zealand's overall pricing but cheaper than major metropolitan centers.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high due to demand and limited housing supply, especially for long-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Food prices are above average, with fresh local produce available but imported goods increasing costs.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; many rely on personal vehicles or cycling.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate costs for entertainment, with local events and outdoor activities being affordable.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available in the city.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
New Zealand Dollar is stable with low volatility, providing good currency reliability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
74%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and fiber connections available, with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
53%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist but options are limited compared to larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity, popular among locals and visitors.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Nelson is not a major hub for digital nomads but is gaining attention for its lifestyle and nature.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Excellent work-life balance with a relaxed pace and strong outdoor culture.
🌳 Environmental Quality
93%
Weight: 15
High environmental standards with clean air, water, and strong conservation efforts.
🧼 Cleanliness
90%
Weight: 10
Nelson is known for its cleanliness and well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
91%
Weight: 15
Generally excellent air quality due to low pollution and coastal location.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools and outdoor activities suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
84%
Weight: 20
Good quality healthcare services with access to public and private providers.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
65%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is subsidized for residents but can be costly for visitors without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
80%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is reliable and accessible.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
72%
Weight: 80
Mild oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters, though some rainfall year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional flooding; generally manageable with preparedness.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, reserves, and proximity to national parks offer excellent green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon due to mild climate; may be uncomfortable during occasional heatwaves.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
68%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild variation; not extreme but noticeable changes in temperature and foliage.
🔊 Noise Pollution
88%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution due to small city size and relaxed environment.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
70%
Weight: 20
Rich local Maori and European heritage with active arts and crafts communities.
🌃 Nightlife
45%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options, mostly small bars and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97%
Weight: 15
Exceptional access to beaches, hiking trails, and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools but informal opportunities exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours focusing on nature, wine, and Maori culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
52%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; more focused on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
65%
Weight: 25
Good quality local produce and seafood with a growing café culture.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, catering to various skill levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, though fewer than in larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-conscious food choices.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
45%
Weight: 20
Far ahead of many Western countries, which can complicate real-time communication.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads and startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42%
Weight: 20
Growing but still nascent freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
55%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Small startup ecosystem with some support but limited scale.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Good availability of local banking and payment apps, including contactless options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption but accessible through online platforms.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
50%
Weight: 30
Nelson Airport offers domestic flights; international connections require transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport options; mostly reliant on cars and cycling.
🚶 Walkability
60%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with amenities nearby.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
50%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing available but less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
75%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure and favorable terrain.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Bus and domestic flights available but limited frequency.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Some bike rental options; electric scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G coverage with expanding 5G in urban areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; digital nomad-specific visas limited.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; foreign income taxation can be complex.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
92%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be time-consuming.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process with online options.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good lifestyle but limited infrastructure tailored to nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence among remote workers.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
87%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe environment for residents and visitors.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
78%
Weight: 50
Multicultural society with good levels of tolerance and inclusion.