Forum
Analytics
Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
#585
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western cities, though prices in central areas can be higher.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Affordable options available, but quality and safety vary; premium condos can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local food is cheap and abundant; imported goods cost more but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport and ride-hailing apps are inexpensive and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and entertainment options, though some upscale venues are costly.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Mid-range gym memberships are affordable; premium gyms cost more.
💱 Currency Stability
60%
Weight: 30
Philippine Peso is moderately stable but can be affected by regional economic factors.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 25-50 Mbps in urban areas; occasional outages reported.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
74%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces in Manila, especially in business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though speed and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
68%
Weight: 100
Increasingly popular but less established than other Asian hubs like Bali or Chiang Mai.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and activate SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Busy city life can be hectic; work-life balance depends on lifestyle choices.
🌳 Environmental Quality
42%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and urban congestion impact environmental quality negatively.
🧼 Cleanliness
45%
Weight: 10
Street cleanliness varies widely; some areas are well-maintained, others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
85%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, making communication easy for most foreigners.
💨 Air Quality
38%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is a significant issue, especially during dry season and peak traffic hours.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Family amenities exist but urban challenges may affect comfort.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Good private hospitals with modern facilities; public healthcare is less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
73%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is available but varies by location and facility.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
High risk of typhoons, flooding, and occasional earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
50%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces within the city; some parks available but not abundant.
❄️ Air Conditioning
88%
Weight: 15
Widely available in most accommodations, offices, and public places.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
25%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
39%
Weight: 10
High noise levels due to traffic, construction, and urban density.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
80%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences.
🌃 Nightlife
75%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many bars, clubs, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
55%
Weight: 15
Limited natural outdoor spaces in the city; nearby beaches and nature spots require travel.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Tagalog and other local languages are available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
73%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours and local experiences accessible from the city.
🎳 Indoors Fun
71%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and entertainment centers provide indoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
84%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food scene with local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, mostly in upscale neighborhoods.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are common, with varying quality.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Growing availability of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
UTC+8 timezone is convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
70%
Weight: 25
Active expat and digital nomad communities with regular networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
62%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and online platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
73%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities, though some can be crowded.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
60%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem centered around tech and creative industries.
💳 Local Payment Services
68%
Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps are popular but cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Growing interest and adoption, but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
Ninoy Aquino International Airport offers many international and domestic flights.
🚇 Public Transit
50%
Weight: 20
Limited and often overcrowded; MRT and buses exist but are not very reliable.
🚶 Walkability
48%
Weight: 20
Sidewalks are inconsistent; heavy traffic and urban sprawl reduce walkability.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
82%
Weight: 15
Grab and other ride-hailing apps are widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
35%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and traffic conditions are challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services available but can be slow and crowded.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; bike rentals are rare and not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G is expanding but not yet universal.
🔒 VPN Reliability
72%
Weight: 20
VPN services generally work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur, but generally stable in urban centers.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and some public areas but can be slow.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa extensions are possible; no dedicated digital nomad visa yet.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; no special tax incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some political sensitivities and media pressures exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
58%
Weight: 20
Stable overall but occasional political unrest and protests occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Process is bureaucratic and time-consuming for foreigners.
📄✈️ 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
Growing acceptance and infrastructure for digital nomads, but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
68%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and events organized by expat and nomad communities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
70%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for digital nomads in Manila.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Safety varies by neighborhood; petty crime is common but violent crime is less frequent.
♀️ Female Friendly
62%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women, though caution is advised in some areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with a diverse population.