Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Send money abroad cheaper than banks.

Affiliate disclosure
Nomad Score: 63%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ Cost of Living
78% Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to global standards, with low prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
72% Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable, especially outside the city center, though quality varies.
🍎 Food & Groceries
81% Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce at low prices; eating out is affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75% Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive but limited; taxis and ride-shares are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderately priced, with local events and cinemas accessible.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
68% Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable but facilities vary in quality.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
South African Rand experiences moderate volatility, affecting purchasing power.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
64% Weight: 100
Average speeds around 15-25 Mbps; fiber available in some areas but not widespread.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
57% Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces, mostly in central areas.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
69% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but connection quality can be inconsistent.
πŸ’»β˜• Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62% Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads, but some popular spots exist.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
48% Weight: 100
Not a major hub for digital nomads yet, but slowly gaining attention.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
84% Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain with good prepaid options.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance
76% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with good access to nature supports balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
65% Weight: 15
Moderate pollution levels; coastal location helps air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
59% Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies; some areas are well-maintained, others less so.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
87% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, minimizing language barriers for most digital nomads.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
63% Weight: 15
Generally good coastal air quality, though occasional pollution spikes occur.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
65% Weight: 25
Decent family amenities and outdoor activities.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
68% Weight: 20
Private healthcare is good quality but public healthcare is less reliable.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
74% Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
70% Weight: 20
Access to healthcare is decent, with private clinics available in the city.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
89% Weight: 80
Mild, warm climate with plenty of sunny days and moderate rainfall.
πŸŒͺ️ Natural Disaster Risk
80% Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional flooding possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
73% Weight: 10
Several parks and coastal green areas available for recreation.
❄️ Air Conditioning
65% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in accommodations but not universal.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
67% Weight: 10
Mild seasons with warm summers and mild winters; limited extreme seasonal changes.
πŸ”Š Noise Pollution
61% Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter in residential and coastal areas.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
78% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with diverse influences and local traditions.
πŸŒƒ Nightlife
54% Weight: 15
Nightlife is modest with a few bars and clubs; not a major party city.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
85% Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, hiking trails, and nature reserves.
πŸ—£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
56% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools, but informal opportunities exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71% Weight: 10
Good availability of cultural tours and outdoor activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options compared to larger cities.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
74% Weight: 25
Diverse food options with local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59% Weight: 10
A few yoga studios available but not widespread.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
63% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers present but limited variety.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Growing availability of health-conscious eateries and organic markets.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
77% Weight: 20
UTC+2 timezone works well for European and some Asian clients.
🀝 Networking Opportunities
52% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
49% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
πŸ†“ Freelance Ecosystem
50% Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but growing slowly.
🏒 Coworking Quality
55% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are basic but functional.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
47% Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent with limited funding and support.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
61% Weight: 10
Mobile payments and banking apps are available but less advanced.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
54% Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto; adoption is growing but still niche.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
68% Weight: 30
East London Airport offers domestic flights and some regional connections.
πŸš‡ Public Transit
43% Weight: 20
Public transport is limited and unreliable.
🚢 Walkability
57% Weight: 20
City center is somewhat walkable but suburbs require transport.
πŸš— Ride-sharing Services
65% Weight: 15
Uber and Bolt operate but coverage is limited compared to bigger cities.
🚲 Cycling
49% Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and roads can be unsafe.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
58% Weight: 15
Bus and minibus taxis available; limited train services.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
32% Weight: 10
Very limited or no scooter/bike rental services.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
71% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G limited but expanding.
πŸ”’ VPN Reliability
75% Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚑ Power Grid Reliability
50% Weight: 15
Frequent load shedding and power outages affect reliability.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
54% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is sporadic and often insecure.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
63% Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no specific digital nomad visa.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
55% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; foreign income taxation depends on residency.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
79% Weight: 15
Generally good freedom of speech protections.
πŸ›οΈ Political Stability
56% Weight: 20
Some political tensions and corruption issues but overall stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60% Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic but manageable.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
62% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and time.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
54% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community for nomads.
🀝 Nomad Events & Meetups
41% Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
47% Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads based in East London.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety
49% Weight: 100
Moderate crime rates; caution advised especially at night.
♀️ Female Friendly
53% Weight: 50
Some safety concerns for women; mixed experiences reported.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60% Weight: 50
Diverse population with ongoing social challenges but generally tolerant.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

  • Navigate
  • Tools