Forum
Analytics
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#141
,
Nomad Score:
58%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than many Western cities but higher than other Middle Eastern cities due to rapid development.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43%
Weight: 80
Accommodation prices are relatively high in central Riyadh, especially for expat-friendly apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Local food and groceries are affordable; imported goods and dining out at international restaurants are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; taxis and ride-hailing services are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
47%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are growing but still limited; costs for cinemas, events, and dining out can be high.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with some premium options costing more.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
Saudi Riyal is pegged to the US dollar, providing strong currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Good internet infrastructure with widespread 4G and growing 5G coverage; fiber-optic connections available in many areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
64%
Weight: 40
Increasing number of coworking spaces in Riyadh, mostly concentrated in business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though quality and speed can vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
59%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but overall options are limited compared to global hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Riyadh is not yet a major destination for digital nomads; awareness and community are still developing.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with good data plans for tourists and residents.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
50%
Weight: 30
Long working hours are common; cultural norms emphasize work but leisure options are improving.
🌳 Environmental Quality
41%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution and dust storms affect environmental quality negatively.
🧼 Cleanliness
74%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean with active municipal services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
48%
Weight: 30
Arabic is dominant; English is widely spoken in business and tourist areas but language can be a barrier.
💨 Air Quality
37%
Weight: 15
Frequent dust storms and urban pollution reduce air quality significantly.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Safe environment with family-oriented amenities but limited entertainment for children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
73%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities available, especially private hospitals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
61%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable for residents with insurance; private care can be expensive without coverage.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Good access to modern healthcare services and specialists.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny and dry.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
92%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
39%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces within the city; some parks but overall sparse vegetation.
❄️ Air Conditioning
95%
Weight: 15
Widespread and reliable air conditioning in homes, offices, and public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mostly hot and dry year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise pollution in busy areas; quieter in residential districts.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with growing openness to international influences.
🌃 Nightlife
34%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is limited due to cultural and legal restrictions; recent reforms are slowly expanding options.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
52%
Weight: 15
Desert landscapes nearby offer unique outdoor experiences but limited greenery.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Arabic exist but are not widespread; English language schools are common.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
67%
Weight: 10
Growing tourism sector with desert tours, cultural sites, and heritage experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with traditional Saudi cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios; growing interest but still niche.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available, mostly in affluent areas.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
61%
Weight: 15
Healthy food options are available but not as widespread as fast food.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
UTC+3 time zone is favorable for communication with Europe, Asia, and Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60%
Weight: 25
Growing business and startup events, but still limited compared to major global hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is emerging but not yet well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
61%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern and well-equipped but limited in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
55%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is growing with government support but still in early stages.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Digital payment services are improving; cashless payments increasingly accepted.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Regulatory environment cautious; limited adoption and use of crypto technologies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
79%
Weight: 30
King Khalid International Airport offers good connectivity to major global cities.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
Public transit infrastructure is limited but Riyadh Metro is under expansion.
🚶 Walkability
30%
Weight: 20
City is car-centric with limited pedestrian-friendly areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
75%
Weight: 15
Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem widely used and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
22%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and climate is challenging for biking.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
68%
Weight: 15
Good road network and domestic flights connect Riyadh to other cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
15%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile network coverage with 4G and expanding 5G services.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but some restrictions and occasional slowdowns due to regulation.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
49%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to malls and airports.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Recent introduction of tourist and business visas has improved ease of entry.
📊 Tax Friendliness
78%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax; corporate tax applies mainly to foreign companies.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
20%
Weight: 15
Strict regulations on speech and media; limited freedom compared to Western countries.
🏛️ Political Stability
76%
Weight: 20
Stable government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires residency or sponsorship.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
63%
Weight: 10
Government reforms have simplified business registration but some hurdles remain.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads; improving but still nascent.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
37%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence for Riyadh-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
85%
Weight: 100
Generally very safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Improving rights and opportunities for women but cultural restrictions remain.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; expatriate community is large but some social challenges persist.