Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#141
24.638916, 46.71601
Nomad Score:
57%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
65%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other major cities in the region, though some imported goods can be pricey.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable, but can vary significantly based on location and type of accommodation.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Local food is affordable, but international cuisine can be expensive; grocery prices are moderate.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transport is improving, and taxis/rideshares are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited, and costs can add up for activities and dining out.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are available at various price points, generally affordable.
💱 Currency Stability
85%
Weight: 30
The Saudi Riyal is stable, pegged to the US dollar, providing good currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Good internet speeds are available, especially in urban areas, with many options for connectivity.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
50%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces compared to more established digital nomad cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
65%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, but the quality and reliability can vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
52%
Weight: 30
A few cafes cater to digital nomads, but options are limited compared to other cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
35%
Weight: 100
Riyadh is not a popular destination for digital nomads, with a small community.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Work-life balance can vary; traditional work hours may not align with nomadic lifestyles.
🌳 Environmental Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Urban areas can suffer from pollution, but efforts are being made to improve green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
65%
Weight: 10
Generally clean, but some areas may have litter and maintenance issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
40%
Weight: 30
Arabic is the primary language; English is spoken in some areas but can be a barrier.
💨 Air Quality
45%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor due to dust storms and pollution, especially in urban areas.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
75%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are modern and well-equipped, with many private options available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are moderate, but private care can be expensive without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Good healthcare services available, but access can vary in rural areas.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
80%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters; generally sunny with low rainfall.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters, though occasional dust storms can occur.
🏞️ Green Spaces
40%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city, but some parks and recreational areas exist.
❄️ Air Conditioning
90%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is widely available and essential due to the hot climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
30%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily hot weather year-round.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
55%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage, but limited cultural events and activities for expatriates.
🌃 Nightlife
40%
Weight: 15
Nightlife options are limited due to cultural restrictions; few bars and clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50%
Weight: 15
Some outdoor activities available, but not as diverse as other regions.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
45%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language learning opportunities for Arabic.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
55%
Weight: 10
Some local tours available, but options are limited compared to other cities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; shopping malls are popular.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
60%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local and regional cuisine, but limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
40%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, with limited classes offered.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Various fitness facilities available, but quality can vary.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
55%
Weight: 15
Some healthy food options available, but not as prevalent as in other cities.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Time zone can be challenging for remote work with clients in different regions.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities for digital nomads; small community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Some remote job opportunities exist, but not as abundant as in other cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Freelancing is not widely recognized, limiting opportunities.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Quality of coworking spaces varies; few options available.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene, but still developing compared to other cities.
💳 Local Payment Services
65%
Weight: 10
Local payment services are available, but reliance on cash is still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
35%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and crypto technologies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
70%
Weight: 30
King Khalid International Airport offers good connectivity to major cities.
🚇 Public Transit
55%
Weight: 20
Public transit is improving, but still limited in coverage and frequency.
🚶 Walkability
40%
Weight: 20
City is not very walkable; reliance on cars is common.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services like Uber are available and widely used.
🚲 Cycling
30%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; not a popular mode of transport.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Intercity travel options are available, but can be limited.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
35%
Weight: 10
Limited options for scooter or bike rentals in the city.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Good mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPNs are generally reliable, but some restrictions may apply.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Power grid is generally reliable, with few outages reported.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
40%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be bureaucratic and time-consuming.
📊 Tax Friendliness
80%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax, making it favorable for expatriates.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
30%
Weight: 15
Limited freedom of speech; strict regulations on expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
65%
Weight: 20
Generally stable, but regional tensions can affect perceptions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be bureaucratic, but possible for expatriates.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Business registration processes can be complex and time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa; general visa options are limited.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
35%
Weight: 50
Not particularly nomad-friendly; limited community and resources.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Limited online community presence for digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for expatriates, with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Cultural norms can be restrictive for women; varies by area.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Cultural diversity exists, but tolerance can vary based on context.