Forum
Analytics
Mbabane, Eswatini 🇸🇿
#1065
,
Nomad Score:
54%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to global standards, with low costs for daily expenses but slightly higher than rural Eswatini.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Moderate prices for rental apartments; limited high-end options but affordable for budget stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at low prices; imported goods are more expensive but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public minibus taxis are cheap; limited formal public transport but affordable ride-sharing options emerging.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
54%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment venues; costs are moderate but options are fewer compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms available but limited in number; membership fees are affordable but facilities may be basic.
💱 Currency Stability
68%
Weight: 30
The Swazi lilangeni is pegged to the South African rand, providing moderate stability but regional economic factors influence volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
52%
Weight: 100
Internet speeds are improving but still below global urban standards; occasional outages and slower connections outside central areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most digital nomads rely on cafes or hotels for work.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
45%
Weight: 30
Few cafes offer reliable WiFi; connectivity can be inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
38%
Weight: 30
Limited number of cafes catering specifically to digital nomads; seating and power outlets are scarce.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
27%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads; community is very small and informal.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
75%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with reasonable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
70%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with low stress; slower pace of life supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and natural surroundings; low industrial pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
55%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies; some areas well-maintained, others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
74%
Weight: 30
English is an official language and widely spoken, easing communication for foreigners.
💨 Air Quality
81%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to low traffic and industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities but safe environment for children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
43%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services available; limited specialized care and facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
72%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are relatively low but quality may require travel to South Africa for serious issues.
🏥 Healthcare
45%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare infrastructure is limited; private clinics better but costly.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
76%
Weight: 80
Subtropical highland climate with warm summers and mild winters; generally pleasant weather year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
87%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Several parks and natural reserves nearby; good access to nature within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
50%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not widespread; many buildings rely on natural ventilation.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
64%
Weight: 10
Moderate seasonal changes with distinct wet and dry seasons but no extreme variations.
🔊 Noise Pollution
68%
Weight: 10
Generally low noise levels; quiet residential and natural areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Swazi cultural heritage with traditional events and crafts accessible to visitors.
🌃 Nightlife
32%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; few bars and clubs, mostly low-key.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
85%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, wildlife reserves, and scenic landscapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
56%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; opportunities mainly informal or community-based.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
73%
Weight: 10
Good availability of cultural tours and local experiences, especially related to Swazi traditions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas or museums.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
67%
Weight: 25
Local cuisine is flavorful but limited variety; some international restaurants available.
🧠 Yoga Studios
35%
Weight: 10
Very few dedicated yoga studios; mostly informal or community-led sessions.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited in number and equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
62%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is widely available; healthy eating options growing but still limited.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT+2 timezone is convenient for European and African clients but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
30%
Weight: 25
Few formal networking events; digital nomad and startup communities are small.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
25%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is minimal; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
31%
Weight: 20
Freelance infrastructure is underdeveloped; limited platforms or support locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
29%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces exist and those that do have basic amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
33%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene but very small and early-stage.
💳 Local Payment Services
54%
Weight: 10
Mobile money and banking services available but not as advanced as in larger markets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30%
Weight: 15
Limited awareness and adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
47%
Weight: 30
Mbabane airport has limited international flights; main access through King Mswati III International Airport with regional connections.
🚇 Public Transit
38%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on minibuses and taxis.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
City center is somewhat walkable but infrastructure is limited and pedestrian safety varies.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
35%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited or non-existent; taxis dominate.
🚲 Cycling
42%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal; roads can be unsafe for cyclists.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Bus and minibus taxis connect to other cities; limited rail options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20%
Weight: 10
Very limited or no scooter/bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
65%
Weight: 20
Good mobile coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPN services generally work well; occasional slowdowns.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
55%
Weight: 15
Power outages occur occasionally; infrastructure improving but still inconsistent.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
37%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is scarce and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward for many nationalities; some restrictions apply.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
55%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions exist; political environment is stable but media freedom limited.
🏛️ Political Stability
62%
Weight: 20
Generally stable government; occasional political tensions but low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
53%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures can be bureaucratic; foreigner account opening possible but requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
48%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but process can be slow and paperwork heavy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa program currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
32%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums dedicated to digital nomads in Mbabane.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
57%
Weight: 100
Moderate safety; petty crime exists but violent crime is less common.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Women can travel safely but cultural norms may require caution in some areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society; some social divisions persist.