Forum
Analytics
Queenstown, New Zealand 🇳🇿
#611
,
Nomad Score:
61%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
31%
Weight: 150
Queenstown is known for its high cost of living, especially due to its popularity as a tourist destination.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
25%
Weight: 80
Accommodation prices are very high, particularly for long-term rentals, driven by demand from tourists and seasonal workers.
🍎 Food & Groceries
40%
Weight: 40
Food and groceries are moderately expensive compared to other New Zealand cities, with limited local produce options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
62%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; many rely on car rentals or rideshares which can increase costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
38%
Weight: 15
Entertainment, especially outdoor activities and tours, tends to be pricey due to the tourist-driven economy.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced but fewer options compared to larger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
New Zealand Dollar is relatively stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
74%
Weight: 100
Good internet speeds with widespread fiber availability, though some rural outskirts may have slower connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
50%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces available but growing; mostly small and boutique style.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer reliable WiFi, popular among digital nomads and tourists.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but options are limited compared to larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
60%
Weight: 100
Queenstown is increasingly popular among digital nomads seeking outdoor lifestyle but less so for long-term stays.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase local SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Excellent work-life balance with abundant outdoor activities and relaxed lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Pristine natural environment with clean air and water, surrounded by mountains and lakes.
🧼 Cleanliness
92%
Weight: 10
City and surroundings are very clean, well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
96%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to low pollution and natural surroundings.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good for families with outdoor activities and safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
83%
Weight: 20
Good quality healthcare facilities, though limited specialist services locally.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive for non-residents without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
Adequate healthcare services available, but some treatments require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
52%
Weight: 80
Cool temperate climate with cold winters and moderate summers; variable weather with frequent rain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
70%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional earthquakes and flooding possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
97%
Weight: 10
Abundant green spaces, parks, and natural reserves within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon due to mild summers; heating is more prevalent.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
78%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with snowy winters and warm summers, appealing for outdoor enthusiasts.
🔊 Noise Pollution
87%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution outside of peak tourist areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
65%
Weight: 20
Small but vibrant cultural scene with a focus on outdoor and adventure culture.
🌃 Nightlife
50%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more focused on bars and casual venues than clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
100%
Weight: 15
World-class outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and water sports.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools but opportunities to learn Maori culture and language.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
90%
Weight: 10
Wide range of local tours and experiences catering to tourists and nomads alike.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is primarily on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
60%
Weight: 25
Good variety of restaurants focusing on local and international cuisine but pricey.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but fewer than in larger urban centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60%
Weight: 15
Basic fitness facilities available; outdoor fitness options are popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of healthy and organic food options in cafes and stores.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
42%
Weight: 20
Time zone (NZST) can be challenging for coordinating with Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events; more informal meetups related to outdoor activities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from outside the region.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support but growing.
🏢 Coworking Quality
55%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; most startups are based in Auckland or Wellington.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Good availability of local payment services and digital wallets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; no major hubs but some local interest.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Queenstown Airport offers domestic and limited international flights; good for regional travel.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
Public transit options are limited and infrequent.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable with many amenities accessible on foot.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services like Uber are available but less prevalent than in major cities.
🚲 Cycling
68%
Weight: 10
Good cycling trails and infrastructure, popular for recreation.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Limited intercity bus services; air travel is preferred for longer distances.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
62%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals widely available; electric scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile network coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable VPN services available with good speeds.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
New Zealand visa process is straightforward but can be time-consuming and costly.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no capital gains tax but income tax can be high.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
90%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
65%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts is relatively straightforward but requires local address and ID.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Business registration process is efficient and well-documented.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately nomad friendly due to lifestyle and internet but limited visa options.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
40%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Small but active online communities focused on Queenstown digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Generally very safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for female travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.