Forum
Analytics
Islamabad, Pakistan 🇵🇰
#269
,
Nomad Score:
61%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to global standards, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Affordable rental options available, though prices vary by neighborhood; modern apartments can be pricier.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods cost more but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap; ride-sharing services are affordable and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable but somewhat limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
78%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, with many mid-range options available.
💱 Currency Stability
43%
Weight: 30
Pakistani Rupee has experienced volatility and inflation pressures in recent years.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
65%
Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds are moderate; fiber is available in some areas but not widespread.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces, mostly concentrated in central areas.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
67%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality can be inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
59%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; work-friendly environments are emerging.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
38%
Weight: 100
Islamabad is not yet a popular destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with valid ID and affordable plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
70%
Weight: 30
Generally relaxed lifestyle with good work-life balance potential.
🌳 Environmental Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Better than many Pakistani cities but air pollution can spike seasonally.
🧼 Cleanliness
55%
Weight: 10
Cleanliness varies by area; some parts are well-maintained, others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
74%
Weight: 30
English is widely understood among educated population; Urdu is the main language.
💨 Air Quality
48%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is a concern especially in winter months due to smog.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
64%
Weight: 25
Good for families with access to schools and parks, but limited international schooling.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
59%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic to moderate; private hospitals offer better services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
62%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor to moderate health issues; serious cases may require travel abroad.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
71%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters; dry climate with some seasonal variation.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
78%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters like earthquakes or floods in Islamabad.
🏞️ Green Spaces
76%
Weight: 10
City has several parks and green belts, contributing to pleasant surroundings.
❄️ Air Conditioning
79%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in homes and offices, essential during hot months.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
63%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with hot summers and cool winters, but limited spring/fall transition.
🔊 Noise Pollution
51%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter than larger cities but traffic noise present.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with traditional and modern influences.
🌃 Nightlife
32%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly cafes and restaurants, nightlife is subdued.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to Margalla Hills offers hiking and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Urdu and regional languages exist but are limited.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Some cultural tours and local experiences available, though not heavily commercialized.
🎳 Indoors Fun
54%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas and malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
77%
Weight: 25
Diverse local cuisine with many traditional Pakistani dishes and some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
49%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; wellness culture is growing but still niche.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available but not widespread.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
63%
Weight: 15
Healthy food options are available but not as prevalent as traditional cuisine.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67%
Weight: 20
UTC+5 time zone is moderately favorable for working with Europe and Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
51%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events for digital nomads and startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
46%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
53%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but still developing infrastructure and support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are basic with limited amenities compared to global standards.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
57%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing government and private support.
💳 Local Payment Services
64%
Weight: 10
Mobile payment and banking apps are available but cash remains dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
39%
Weight: 15
Regulatory environment is uncertain; crypto adoption is low and risky.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Islamabad International Airport offers domestic and some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
47%
Weight: 20
Public transit infrastructure is limited; reliance on private vehicles and ride-sharing.
🚶 Walkability
52%
Weight: 20
Some walkable neighborhoods but overall city layout favors cars.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
73%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Careem and Uber are widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
38%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; not a common mode of transport.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good road connectivity and bus services to other major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
35%
Weight: 10
Very limited scooter or bike rental services available.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
76%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city; 5G rollout is in early stages.
🔒 VPN Reliability
69%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well but occasional restrictions may occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
58%
Weight: 15
Power outages still occur but have improved in recent years.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
42%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is scarce and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa process can be bureaucratic and time-consuming for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Complex tax system with limited incentives for foreign freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
41%
Weight: 15
Freedom of speech is limited with government restrictions on media and online content.
🏛️ Political Stability
53%
Weight: 20
Political environment can be volatile with occasional unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
56%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts is possible but requires significant documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
54%
Weight: 10
Business registration process is bureaucratic and can be slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
47%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
39%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for Islamabad-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
60%
Weight: 100
Relatively safer than other Pakistani cities but caution is advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
42%
Weight: 50
Cultural norms can be restrictive; female travelers should exercise caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
55%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some societal biases exist.