Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Low-fee international transfers.

Affiliate disclosure

Zamboanga City, Philippines πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­
#1868 ,

Nomad Score: 59%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to Western cities; affordable food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79% Weight: 80
Affordable rental options available, though quality varies; mid-range apartments are reasonably priced.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer inexpensive fresh produce and meals; imported goods cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91% Weight: 20
Public transport like jeepneys and tricycles are very cheap; taxis and ride-hailing services are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
73% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable but somewhat limited compared to larger metro areas.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
68% Weight: 10
Gyms are available but fewer in number; membership fees are lower than in Western countries.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
62% Weight: 30
Philippine Peso experiences moderate fluctuations but generally stable for daily transactions.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
54% Weight: 100
Internet is available but speeds can be inconsistent; fiber connections limited outside main commercial areas.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
37% Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist; digital nomads often rely on cafes or home setups.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
61% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality varies; not all are suitable for long work sessions.
πŸ’»β˜• Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
45% Weight: 30
Limited number of cafes catering specifically to digital nomads; power outlets and seating can be scarce.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
28% Weight: 100
Zamboanga is not a well-known digital nomad hub; low presence of international remote workers.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
84% Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase and affordable with good data packages.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance
76% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with a slower pace; good balance between work and leisure possible.
🌳 Environmental Quality
64% Weight: 15
Moderate environmental quality; some pollution in urban areas but natural surroundings remain accessible.
🧼 Cleanliness
51% Weight: 10
City cleanliness is average; some areas suffer from litter and waste management issues.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
78% Weight: 30
English widely spoken, especially in business and tourism sectors; local languages predominant in daily life.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
60% Weight: 15
Air quality is generally acceptable but can worsen during dry season and in congested areas.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
60% Weight: 25
Basic family amenities available; limited international schools and child-focused activities.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
59% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services available; for specialized treatment, travel to larger cities may be necessary.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
83% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western standards; public and private options available.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
61% Weight: 20
Adequate for minor health issues; limited advanced medical facilities locally.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
89% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; wet season can bring heavy rains but generally sunny.
πŸŒͺ️ Natural Disaster Risk
42% Weight: 10
Located in a typhoon-prone region with occasional flooding; moderate risk of natural disasters.
🏞️ Green Spaces
57% Weight: 10
Some parks and natural areas available but limited urban green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
74% Weight: 15
Air conditioning common in hotels and malls; less prevalent in local homes and smaller businesses.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
12% Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; mostly hot and humid year-round.
πŸ”Š Noise Pollution
46% Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in urban areas due to traffic and local activities.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
79% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with diverse influences; vibrant local traditions and festivals.
πŸŒƒ Nightlife
43% Weight: 15
Nightlife is limited compared to major cities; some bars and live music venues exist.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
78% Weight: 15
Access to beaches, islands, and natural parks; good opportunities for outdoor activities.
πŸ—£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
55% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal learning possible through interaction with locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
67% Weight: 10
Some local tours and cultural experiences available; less developed tourism infrastructure.
🎳 Indoors Fun
49% Weight: 10
Indoor entertainment options are limited; few cinemas, malls, and recreational centers.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
76% Weight: 25
Diverse local cuisine with fresh seafood and traditional dishes; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
32% Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; wellness scene is still emerging.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
50% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited variety and quality.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
63% Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables widely available; healthy eating options growing but not widespread.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
71% Weight: 20
UTC+8 timezone works well for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work schedules.
🀝 Networking Opportunities
34% Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events for digital nomads or entrepreneurs.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
29% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
πŸ†“ Freelance Ecosystem
31% Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and informal; limited support infrastructure.
🏒 Coworking Quality
35% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not comparable to major hubs.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
27% Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; most entrepreneurial activity concentrated in Manila or Cebu.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
60% Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps and banks available but cash still dominant.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
41% Weight: 15
Growing interest but adoption remains limited and niche.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
56% Weight: 30
Zamboanga International Airport offers domestic flights and limited regional connections.
πŸš‡ Public Transit
68% Weight: 20
Public transport mainly jeepneys and tricycles; no formal bus or rail systems.
🚢 Walkability
52% Weight: 20
Some walkable areas in city center; infrastructure and sidewalks inconsistent.
πŸš— Ride-sharing Services
47% Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps available but coverage and reliability vary.
🚲 Cycling
39% Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; roads can be unsafe for cyclists.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
63% Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services connect to nearby cities and islands; travel times can be long.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
51% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available but limited; bike rentals less common.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
70% Weight: 20
Good mobile coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less consistent.
πŸ”’ VPN Reliability
74% Weight: 20
VPN services generally reliable; no major restrictions on VPN use.
⚑ Power Grid Reliability
65% Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur but generally stable supply.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
48% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often slow; mostly available in malls and some cafes.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
79% Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival available; visa extensions possible but process can be bureaucratic.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
53% Weight: 30
Tax system complex; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
67% Weight: 15
Moderate freedom of speech; some political sensitivities exist.
πŸ›οΈ Political Stability
54% Weight: 20
Occasional local unrest; overall stable but some security concerns in Mindanao region.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
62% Weight: 15
Foreigners can open accounts but documentation requirements can be strict.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
58% Weight: 10
Process is bureaucratic and time-consuming but possible for foreigners.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
36% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🀝 Nomad Events & Meetups
21% Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
33% Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums dedicated to Zamboanga digital nomads.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety
50% Weight: 100
Some safety concerns due to regional conflicts; exercise caution especially at night.
♀️ Female Friendly
54% Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but cultural norms are conservative; caution advised.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society; some cultural differences may require sensitivity.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

  • Navigate
  • Tools