Forum
Analytics
Makeni, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
#1670
,
Nomad Score:
45%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Makeni is generally affordable with low prices for daily expenses compared to global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
74%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are low, but quality and availability of modern apartments can be limited.
🍎 Food & Groceries
86%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer inexpensive fresh produce; imported goods are pricier but still affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
89%
Weight: 20
Public transport and motorcycle taxis are very cheap and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
62%
Weight: 15
Limited formal entertainment venues; local social activities are inexpensive but options are few.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
35%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available, membership tends to be costly relative to local income.
💱 Currency Stability
41%
Weight: 30
Sierra Leonean Leone has experienced volatility; inflation concerns persist.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
32%
Weight: 100
Internet is slow and unreliable with frequent outages; 3G/4G coverage is spotty.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
10%
Weight: 40
No formal coworking spaces exist in Makeni as of mid-2025.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
23%
Weight: 30
Few cafes offer WiFi, and connection quality is poor.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
15%
Weight: 30
Limited options; cafes are not tailored to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
5%
Weight: 100
Makeni is virtually unknown among digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
75%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain and affordable.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
67%
Weight: 30
Slower pace of life but infrastructure challenges can impact productivity.
🌳 Environmental Quality
68%
Weight: 15
Rural surroundings with natural greenery but some issues with waste management.
🧼 Cleanliness
43%
Weight: 10
Public areas often suffer from litter and limited sanitation services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
57%
Weight: 30
English is official language but Krio and local languages dominate; communication can be challenging.
💨 Air Quality
71%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
50%
Weight: 25
Basic amenities for families but limited schooling and healthcare options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
30%
Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic with limited specialist services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is a concern.
🏥 Healthcare
32%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is underdeveloped and may not meet expat standards.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes or hurricanes; flooding possible during heavy rains.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70%
Weight: 10
Surrounded by natural vegetation and rural landscapes.
❄️ Air Conditioning
21%
Weight: 15
Limited availability in homes and public places; power outages reduce effectiveness.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
35%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons but little temperature variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
45%
Weight: 10
Urban noise from traffic and markets can be high; rural areas quieter.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich local traditions and community-oriented culture.
🌃 Nightlife
20%
Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife options; mostly informal gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
75%
Weight: 15
Access to natural landscapes and rural areas for exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; immersion possible but limited resources.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
55%
Weight: 10
Some cultural and village tours available but not widely organized.
🎳 Indoors Fun
28%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas or malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
69%
Weight: 25
Local cuisine is flavorful but international options are scarce.
🧠 Yoga Studios
10%
Weight: 10
No dedicated yoga studios in Makeni.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
25%
Weight: 15
Few gyms or fitness centers; outdoor exercise is common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables are available but processed health foods are rare.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
GMT timezone is convenient for Europe and Africa but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
18%
Weight: 25
Very limited professional or expat networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
20%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is minimal; most remote work is self-sourced.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
15%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is almost non-existent locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
5%
Weight: 30
No coworking spaces; working from home or cafes with poor infrastructure.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
10%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup activity or support.
💳 Local Payment Services
42%
Weight: 10
Mobile money services exist but banking infrastructure is limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
10%
Weight: 15
Minimal awareness or adoption of blockchain or cryptocurrencies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
25%
Weight: 30
Nearest international airport is in Freetown, about 3-4 hours away by road.
🚇 Public Transit
30%
Weight: 20
Informal minibuses and motorcycle taxis dominate; no formal public transit system.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable but infrastructure like sidewalks is limited.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
5%
Weight: 15
No formal ride-sharing apps operating in Makeni.
🚲 Cycling
35%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads are not well maintained or safe.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
40%
Weight: 15
Bus and shared taxis available but journeys can be long and uncomfortable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
10%
Weight: 10
No formal scooter or bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
55%
Weight: 20
Coverage exists but signal strength and data speeds vary widely.
🔒 VPN Reliability
40%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but internet instability can cause interruptions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
20%
Weight: 15
Frequent power outages and limited grid coverage outside main areas.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
15%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is rare and generally unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Visa on arrival available for many nationalities; process is straightforward.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system is simple but lacks incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally respected but media is somewhat controlled.
🏛️ Political Stability
58%
Weight: 20
Stable relative to past decades but occasional unrest occurs.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
35%
Weight: 15
Banking bureaucracy and documentation requirements can be challenging.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
40%
Weight: 10
Process is improving but still slow and paperwork-heavy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa or specific remote work permits.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
12%
Weight: 50
Makeni is not yet recognized as a digital nomad destination.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
5%
Weight: 25
No known nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
10%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums related to Makeni for nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
60%
Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty crime exists; caution advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Women can travel but cultural norms may limit freedom; safety concerns exist.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Locals are generally welcoming to foreigners.