Forum
Analytics
Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
#585
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Manila offers a low cost of living compared to many global cities, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
74%
Weight: 80
Affordable apartments and shared accommodations are widely available, though prices vary by district.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food provide very affordable options; imported goods are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
87%
Weight: 20
Public transport and ride-sharing are inexpensive, though traffic congestion can increase commute times.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
79%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including cinemas, bars, and cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
71%
Weight: 10
Mid-range gym memberships are affordable, with premium gyms costing more.
💱 Currency Stability
62%
Weight: 30
The Philippine Peso experiences moderate fluctuations but remains relatively stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-40 Mbps; fiber is available in key areas but inconsistent in some parts.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
76%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces in business districts like Makati and BGC.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
73%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Manila is emerging as a digital nomad destination but less popular than other Asian hubs.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Traffic and long commutes can impact balance; however, flexible work culture is growing.
🌳 Environmental Quality
42%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and urban congestion reduce overall environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
48%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies widely; some areas are well-maintained, others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
89%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, making communication easy for foreigners.
💨 Air Quality
39%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is a significant issue, especially during dry seasons.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Some family-friendly amenities but urban challenges may affect comfort.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
67%
Weight: 20
Good private hospitals available, though public healthcare quality is variable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
69%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in urban centers but limited in outskirts.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
75%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
41%
Weight: 10
High risk of typhoons, flooding, and occasional earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
53%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city, but some parks and nearby nature areas exist.
❄️ Air Conditioning
84%
Weight: 15
Most indoor spaces are air-conditioned due to tropical climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
38%
Weight: 10
High noise levels due to traffic, construction, and urban density.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences.
🌃 Nightlife
72%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music, especially in Makati and BGC.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
56%
Weight: 15
Limited urban nature but access to beaches and mountains a few hours away.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
68%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Tagalog and other Filipino languages are available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours, historical sites, and local experiences accessible.
🎳 Indoors Fun
70%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and entertainment centers provide indoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
83%
Weight: 25
Diverse and affordable food options ranging from street food to international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, mostly in upscale areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are common, with options for various budgets.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-conscious food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
76%
Weight: 20
UTC+8 timezone works well for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work schedules.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
69%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and digital nomad community with regular networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
58%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
64%
Weight: 20
Active freelance community supported by coworking spaces and online platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
72%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities, though some variability in quality.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
63%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem centered in Manila with increasing support and investment.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Mobile wallets and digital payments are growing but cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with growing interest but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
Ninoy Aquino International Airport connects Manila internationally with many flights.
🚇 Public Transit
51%
Weight: 20
Limited and overcrowded public transit options; MRT and buses available but unreliable.
🚶 Walkability
43%
Weight: 20
Poor walkability due to traffic, infrastructure, and safety concerns.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
82%
Weight: 15
Widely available ride-sharing apps like Grab provide convenient transport.
🚲 Cycling
37%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns reduce cycling viability.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services connect Manila to other parts of the Philippines.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available but less common; bike rentals limited.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G expanding but still limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
79%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur, but generally stable in urban centers.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
63%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and cafes but often slow and unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
77%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa extensions are straightforward; visa-free entry for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
68%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some concerns over media and political pressures.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Stable overall but occasional political unrest and protests occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
62%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is improving but still involves significant paperwork and time.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Friendly environment for nomads but infrastructure and services still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
64%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and events in coworking spaces and cafes.
🌐👥 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 area; petty crime common but violent crime less so in tourist zones.
♀️ Female Friendly
63%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but caution advised in certain neighborhoods.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant and welcoming to foreigners.