Forum
Analytics
Ann Arbor, United States 🇺🇸
#64
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Ann Arbor is moderately expensive compared to many US cities, driven by its university town status and high quality of life.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are above average for the US Midwest, especially near the university and downtown areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are moderate; dining out can be somewhat pricey but offers a variety of options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transit is available but limited; many rely on cars, making transportation costs moderate.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are diverse but can be moderately priced due to the college town atmosphere.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced with several options including university facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is one of the most stable currencies globally.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with reliable connectivity.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
71%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, catering to freelancers and startups, though not as abundant as in major metro areas.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, popular among students and remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
75%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes with comfortable seating and power outlets, suitable for working.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Not a major hotspot for digital nomads but has a small, steady community due to the university.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with access to parks, cultural events, and a relaxed atmosphere.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air and water quality, supported by local sustainability initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
83%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained and clean, especially in residential and downtown areas.
🗨️ Language Barrier
99%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional pollution spikes in winter due to heating.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
83%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities make it suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
88%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities, including the renowned University of Michigan Hospital.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
32%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are high without insurance, typical of the US healthcare system.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare services available but expensive for uninsured individuals.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and moderate summers; weather can be gloomy and rainy in shoulder seasons.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
74%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms but no major earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
86%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and green spaces, including the Nichols Arboretum and Huron River trails.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most buildings have air conditioning, though not as critical due to moderate summer temperatures.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
81%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with colorful autumns and snowy winters, appealing to those who enjoy seasonal changes.
🔊 Noise Pollution
74%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet residential areas; some noise near downtown and university events.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene influenced by the university, including theaters, museums, and music venues.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife centered around bars and live music, but not as vibrant as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
84%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to nature with hiking, biking trails, and river activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
University and community programs offer language classes, though limited compared to major metro areas.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65%
Weight: 10
Some local tours and cultural experiences available, mostly centered around the university and local history.
🎳 Indoors Fun
73%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor sports facilities provide good options for indoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with international cuisines and farm-to-table options influenced by the university community.
🧠 Yoga Studios
72%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, catering to various styles and levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
75%
Weight: 15
Good range of fitness centers, including university gyms and private facilities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Plenty of organic markets, health food stores, and restaurants with healthy menu options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
Eastern Time Zone is favorable for coordinating with both US coasts and Europe during overlapping work hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
70%
Weight: 25
University and startup community provide decent networking events but limited compared to major tech hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
68%
Weight: 20
Moderate availability of remote jobs, especially in tech and education sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
65%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by local coworking spaces and university resources.
🏢 Coworking Quality
73%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are well-equipped and comfortable but fewer in number than larger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
69%
Weight: 15
Active startup ecosystem driven by university research and local investment.
💳 Local Payment Services
78%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payment methods and banking services, though cash is still used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; some local meetups but not a major crypto hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
67%
Weight: 30
Ann Arbor is served by Detroit Metropolitan Airport about 25 miles away, offering extensive domestic and international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
54%
Weight: 20
Limited local bus service; most residents rely on cars for commuting.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
Downtown and university areas are walkable; suburban areas less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
80%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
70%
Weight: 10
Decent cycling infrastructure with bike lanes and trails, though not extensive.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
63%
Weight: 15
Bus and train options exist but are limited; most intercity travel is by car or via Detroit airport.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Some bike rental programs available; electric scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage from major US carriers.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries and some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and costly for many nationalities; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Relatively high federal and state taxes; complex tax filing for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech under US law.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment though some national polarization exists.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Requires US address and documentation; can be challenging for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
72%
Weight: 10
Business registration is straightforward but involves paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly due to amenities but visa and cost issues limit appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups mainly organized by university groups or coworking spaces.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
62%
Weight: 20
Some online groups and forums for Ann Arbor digital nomads but limited compared to major hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
79%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; some petty crime in certain areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
81%
Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment with active women's groups and resources.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial diversity and tolerance; some challenges remain as in many US cities.