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Skardu, Pakistan 🇵🇰
#1831 ,

Nomad Score: 49%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Very affordable living costs compared to global standards, especially outside major urban centers.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
89% Weight: 80
Low rental prices for basic apartments and guesthouses, though limited variety.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at low prices; imported goods are more expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78% Weight: 20
Limited public transport; reliance on taxis and private vehicles but fares are low.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
62% Weight: 15
Few entertainment options; local cultural events are inexpensive but nightlife is minimal.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
50% Weight: 10
Limited gyms available; prices are moderate but facilities are basic.
💱 Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
Pakistani Rupee experiences moderate volatility; some inflation concerns.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
41% Weight: 100
Internet is available but often slow and unreliable, especially in remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
15% Weight: 40
No formal coworking spaces; digital nomads rely on cafes or guesthouses.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
32% Weight: 30
Few cafes offer WiFi; connectivity can be spotty and slow.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
20% Weight: 30
Limited options catering specifically to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
10% Weight: 100
Skardu is not a known digital nomad hub; very few nomads present.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80% Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with valid ID; good mobile coverage.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
70% Weight: 30
Peaceful environment with natural beauty supports good balance but limited amenities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
91% Weight: 15
Pristine mountain environment with clean air and minimal pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
60% Weight: 10
Basic cleanliness standards; some littering in public areas.
🗨️ Language Barrier
45% Weight: 30
Urdu and local languages dominate; English is limited outside tourist spots.
💨 Air Quality
93% Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to high altitude and low industrial activity.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
60% Weight: 25
Safe environment with outdoor activities; limited schooling and healthcare options.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
35% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare facilities available; advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is limited.
🏥 Healthcare
38% Weight: 20
Limited medical infrastructure; emergency care is basic.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
52% Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow; pleasant summers but short; not ideal for those seeking warm climates year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and landslides; generally safe from floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95% Weight: 10
Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and natural parks; abundant green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
25% Weight: 15
Rarely needed due to cool climate; limited availability in accommodations.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with snowy winters and mild summers.
🔊 Noise Pollution
85% Weight: 10
Very low noise pollution due to small population and rural setting.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
78% Weight: 20
Rich local culture with traditional Balti heritage and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
10% Weight: 15
Virtually no nightlife; quiet evenings are the norm.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98% Weight: 15
Exceptional opportunities for trekking, hiking, and mountain exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
30% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; immersion possible but challenging.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75% Weight: 10
Growing trekking and cultural tours available; still developing tourism infrastructure.
🎳 Indoors Fun
20% Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment options; mainly small cafes and guesthouses.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
65% Weight: 25
Local traditional cuisine is available; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
10% Weight: 10
No dedicated yoga studios; practice mostly private or informal.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
30% Weight: 15
Few gyms or fitness centers; basic facilities only.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60% Weight: 15
Fresh local produce available; limited organic or specialized health food stores.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70% Weight: 20
UTC+5; convenient for Asia and Europe but less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
15% Weight: 25
Minimal professional networking for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
20% Weight: 20
Local job market limited; mostly reliant on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
20% Weight: 20
No established freelance community locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
10% Weight: 30
No formal coworking spaces exist.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
10% Weight: 15
No notable startup ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
40% Weight: 10
Basic mobile payment services exist but limited acceptance.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30% Weight: 15
Low adoption; regulatory environment uncertain.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
35% Weight: 30
Skardu Airport offers limited domestic flights; seasonal weather can disrupt service.
🚇 Public Transit
20% Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on taxis and private vehicles.
🚶 Walkability
60% Weight: 20
Small town center is walkable but terrain can be hilly.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
10% Weight: 15
No ride-sharing apps operate here.
🚲 Cycling
50% Weight: 10
Possible but challenging due to mountainous terrain.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
40% Weight: 15
Limited bus services; road travel can be slow and difficult.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20% Weight: 10
Few rental options; mostly motorcycles rather than scooters.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
65% Weight: 20
Good 3G/4G coverage in town; spotty in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; some occasional restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
50% Weight: 15
Frequent power outages; backup generators common.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
20% Weight: 10
Very limited public WiFi; mostly in hotels or cafes.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
40% Weight: 40
Pakistan visa process improving but still requires planning.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; limited digital nomad-specific policies.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
40% Weight: 15
Some restrictions and social sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
50% Weight: 20
Generally stable in Skardu region but national politics can be volatile.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Requires local documentation; not very straightforward for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
35% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and slow process, especially outside major cities.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
20% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
5% Weight: 25
No known digital nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
20% Weight: 20
Very small online presence for nomads in Skardu.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
70% Weight: 100
Generally safe for travelers; low crime rates in the region.
♀️ Female Friendly
40% Weight: 50
Conservative culture; women should exercise caution and respect local customs.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but limited exposure to diverse populations.

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