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Nomad Score: 63%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
51% Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to larger NZ cities; groceries and dining out are pricier due to its regional location.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43% Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high for a small city, driven by demand and limited housing stock.
🍎 Food & Groceries
57% Weight: 40
Fresh local produce is available but overall grocery prices are above the national average.
🚌 Transportation Cost
68% Weight: 20
Limited public transport options but low fuel prices and walkability reduce overall transport expenses.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable, with local events and outdoor activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60% Weight: 10
Average gym fees comparable to other regional NZ cities.
💱 Currency Stability
89% Weight: 30
New Zealand Dollar is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
74% Weight: 100
Reliable broadband and fiber available in most areas, speeds suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41% Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist; mostly small shared offices or cafes.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but options are limited compared to bigger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
39% Weight: 100
Not a well-known digital nomad hotspot; attracts mostly locals and tourists.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87% Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on outdoor lifestyle and relaxation; good balance for remote workers.
🌳 Environmental Quality
92% Weight: 15
Clean air and water with minimal pollution; surrounded by natural beauty.
🧼 Cleanliness
88% Weight: 10
City and public spaces are well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95% Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barriers for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
93% Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to low industrial activity and coastal location.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
78% Weight: 25
Safe, clean, and with good schools and outdoor activities.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
86% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services available, though specialized care may require travel.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
71% Weight: 25
Public healthcare is subsidized but private care can be expensive.
🏥 Healthcare
84% Weight: 20
Good access to healthcare facilities and professionals.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
62% Weight: 80
Mild oceanic climate with moderate rainfall; not too hot or cold but can be cloudy.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
54% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional flooding; generally manageable.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90% Weight: 10
Abundant parks, beaches, and nearby national parks for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
47% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon due to mild climate; may be a downside in summer.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
68% Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but mild temperature swings.
🔊 Noise Pollution
86% Weight: 10
Quiet city with low noise levels, especially outside the town center.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
73% Weight: 20
Rich Maori and European heritage with local arts and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
42% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly small bars and pubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
96% Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, beaches, and outdoor adventures.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; mostly informal opportunities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78% Weight: 10
Good variety of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
51% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas and museums.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
65% Weight: 25
Focus on fresh seafood and local produce; limited international cuisine variety.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58% Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not abundant.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63% Weight: 15
Standard gyms and fitness centers present but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-focused food options.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
44% Weight: 20
Far from major global markets; challenging for real-time collaboration with Europe or Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
37% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
41% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support structures.
🏢 Coworking Quality
40% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are basic with limited amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
38% Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; more focused on traditional industries.
💳 Local Payment Services
76% Weight: 10
Modern payment infrastructure with contactless and mobile payments widely accepted.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52% Weight: 15
Growing interest but still niche; limited local services.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
59% Weight: 30
Small regional airport with limited direct international flights; connections via Auckland or Wellington.
🚇 Public Transit
39% Weight: 20
Sparse bus services; most rely on private transport.
🚶 Walkability
73% Weight: 20
Compact city center with good pedestrian infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
46% Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps; taxis more common.
🚲 Cycling
67% Weight: 10
Decent cycling paths and bike-friendly roads.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50% Weight: 15
Limited bus and train options; car travel preferred.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48% Weight: 10
Few bike rental shops; no widespread scooter sharing.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
81% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout city and surroundings.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85% Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
89% Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
64% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some cafes and public areas but not widespread.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
67% Weight: 40
Standard NZ visa processes; no specific digital nomad visa but tourist and work visas accessible.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55% Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special tax incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
94% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
91% Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
63% Weight: 15
Straightforward for residents; non-residents face more paperwork.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70% Weight: 10
Relatively simple and fast process for registering a business.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
52% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35% Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40% Weight: 20
Limited online presence or forums focused on Nelson digital nomads.

🛡️ 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.
✊ Racial Tolerance
79% Weight: 50
Multicultural society with good levels of tolerance and inclusion.

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