Forum
Analytics
Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦
#210
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western cities, with lower costs for food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Rental prices vary widely; affordable options exist but quality and safety can be concerns in cheaper areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer good value; imported goods can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79%
Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive but limited; ride-sharing is affordable and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and cultural events, though some upscale venues can be pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
73%
Weight: 10
Moderate prices for gyms, with many options including budget and premium facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
42%
Weight: 30
South African Rand experiences volatility and inflation pressures, impacting purchasing power.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps in urban areas; fiber available but not ubiquitous.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
68%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces in central business districts and trendy neighborhoods.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but less popular than coastal cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
62%
Weight: 30
Work culture can be demanding; however, social and leisure activities are accessible.
🌳 Environmental Quality
41%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and waste management issues affect overall environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
45%
Weight: 10
Varies by neighborhood; some areas suffer from litter and infrastructure challenges.
🗨️ Language Barrier
86%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken and used in business and daily life.
💨 Air Quality
40%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is a concern, especially in industrial and high-traffic areas.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Some family-friendly amenities but safety and schooling can be concerns.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
63%
Weight: 20
Private healthcare is good quality but public healthcare can be inconsistent.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western standards but can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
65%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is available, especially in private sector.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Generally mild and sunny climate with warm summers and mild winters.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
60%
Weight: 10
Several parks and botanical gardens, but urban green space is limited in some areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Common in modern buildings and accommodations, less so in older structures.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
68%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but generally mild; winters are dry and summers warm.
🔊 Noise Pollution
42%
Weight: 10
Urban noise levels can be high, especially in busy districts.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural diversity with vibrant arts, music, and history.
🌃 Nightlife
72%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife scene with clubs, bars, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby nature reserves and outdoor activities, though urban sprawl limits some options.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn local languages like Zulu and Afrikaans exist but are limited.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours, safaris, and historical sites available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
67%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and malls provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
79%
Weight: 25
Diverse culinary scene with local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, mostly in affluent neighborhoods.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness centers, including specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-focused food outlets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
GMT+2 timezone is convenient for Europe and parts of Africa but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
65%
Weight: 25
Growing startup and tech community offers networking events and meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
58%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
60%
Weight: 20
Freelance work is growing but infrastructure and payment systems can be challenging.
🏢 Coworking Quality
67%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities available in key areas.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
64%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing investment and innovation hubs.
💳 Local Payment Services
62%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and digital wallets are growing but not yet widespread.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
O.R. Tambo International Airport offers good international and regional connections.
🚇 Public Transit
48%
Weight: 20
Limited and unreliable public transport; minibus taxis dominate but can be unsafe.
🚶 Walkability
45%
Weight: 20
Walkability is low in many areas due to urban sprawl and safety concerns.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
78%
Weight: 15
Uber and Bolt are widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
39%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns reduce cycling popularity.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Good road networks and some bus services; limited rail options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
25%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G rollout underway but limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well; no significant government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
40%
Weight: 15
Frequent power outages and load shedding affect reliability.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable outside cafes and coworking spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no specific digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex with relatively high rates for residents.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with some political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
52%
Weight: 20
Some political unrest and corruption issues impact stability.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
63%
Weight: 10
Business registration is moderately straightforward with some administrative hurdles.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
58%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness but infrastructure and services still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events exist but are not widespread.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence with active expat and nomad groups.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
38%
Weight: 100
High crime rates in many areas; safety precautions necessary.
♀️ Female Friendly
45%
Weight: 50
Women should exercise caution, especially at night or in certain neighborhoods.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Diverse society with ongoing challenges related to racial tensions.