Forum
Analytics
Wellington, New Zealand 🇳🇿
#604
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Wellington is relatively expensive compared to many global cities, driven by high housing costs and imported goods.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
27%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially for central locations favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
41%
Weight: 40
Food prices are above average due to import costs, but fresh local produce is available.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with good coverage; however, taxis and ride-shares can be pricey.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for entertainment options including cinemas, theaters, and events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
58%
Weight: 10
Average gym fees, with many options ranging from budget to premium.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
New Zealand Dollar is stable with low volatility, backed by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Reliable high-speed internet widely available, though some suburban areas have slower connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Several well-equipped coworking spaces in the city center catering to freelancers and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
81%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with good connectivity, popular among remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
79%
Weight: 30
A good number of cafes provide comfortable seating and power outlets suitable for working.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Wellington is moderately popular among digital nomads but less so than Auckland or Christchurch.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans for visitors.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with flexible working culture and outdoor lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air and water quality, supported by strong environmental policies.
🧼 Cleanliness
88%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained and clean, with efficient waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
97%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
83%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, though occasional pollution spikes in winter due to heating.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
75%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family services make it suitable for nomads with children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities and well-trained professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
61%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is subsidized for residents; private care can be expensive for visitors.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services available, including emergency and specialist care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
43%
Weight: 80
Mild but often windy and rainy; summers are pleasant but winters can be damp and cool.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional storms; well-prepared infrastructure mitigates impact.
🏞️ Green Spaces
84%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and green areas within the city, including coastal reserves and botanical gardens.
❄️ Air Conditioning
39%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in homes and offices due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
67%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild summers and cool winters, but less extreme variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
72%
Weight: 10
Relatively low noise pollution except in busy central areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and strong Maori heritage.
🌃 Nightlife
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options including bars and live music, but quieter compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, beaches, and nature reserves close to the city.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and community classes available, mainly for English and Maori.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural and nature tours, including Maori cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, cinemas, and indoor sports facilities provide entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
72%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with fresh seafood, local produce, and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
70%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios offering a range of classes suitable for all levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
71%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, fitness centers, and outdoor exercise areas.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Plenty of health-conscious cafes and organic food stores.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
48%
Weight: 20
GMT+12/13 time zone can be challenging for communication with Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
68%
Weight: 25
Active startup and tech communities with regular meetups and events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
62%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and online platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
74%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and networking events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
67%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with government support and incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
73%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments and mobile banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
51%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment is cautious but open.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
64%
Weight: 30
Good domestic and limited international flights; major international hubs require connections.
🚇 Public Transit
67%
Weight: 20
Reliable bus network with integrated ticketing; no metro or tram system.
🚶 Walkability
78%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets and amenities.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing options available but less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and train services available but limited in frequency and coverage.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Some bike rental options; electric scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
82%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
89%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries and some public spaces but limited in coverage.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
63%
Weight: 40
Standard visitor visas are straightforward; longer stays require more paperwork.
📊 Tax Friendliness
54%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ 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
59%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires local address and documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
71%
Weight: 10
Relatively simple and quick process for registering a business.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately accommodating to digital nomads but lacks dedicated visa and incentives.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
60%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and networking events but smaller scale compared to major hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
67%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for Wellington-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
86%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
83%
Weight: 50
Inclusive and safe environment for women with supportive communities.
✊ Racial Tolerance
79%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with ongoing efforts to address racial equity.