Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦
#216
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major global cities; living costs are reasonable but higher than many South African towns.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be higher in central Stellenbosch and near university areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer affordable fresh produce; dining out is reasonably priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport options are limited; reliance on minibus taxis and private transport keeps costs moderate.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including wine tours, local events, and cultural activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
68%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available in town.
💱 Currency Stability
42%
Weight: 30
South African Rand is prone to volatility due to economic and political factors.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
65%
Weight: 100
Decent broadband and mobile internet speeds in urban areas, but occasional outages and slower speeds compared to global standards.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
60%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist, mostly catering to startups and freelancers, but options are limited.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, popular among students and remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
67%
Weight: 30
Some cafes are nomad-friendly with power outlets and good WiFi, but not widespread.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Still emerging as a digital nomad destination; more popular among local students and academics.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and cultural activities supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air and water quality; surrounded by vineyards and natural landscapes.
🧼 Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
Town is relatively clean, though some areas outside the center can be less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
85%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken and understood, minimizing language barriers for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
74%
Weight: 15
Good air quality overall, with occasional pollution from traffic and agricultural activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
69%
Weight: 20
Decent private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
73%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries but can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
71%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in private sector; public sector varies.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
83%
Weight: 80
Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters; generally pleasant year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional droughts and wildfires possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
87%
Weight: 10
Abundant green spaces, vineyards, and nearby nature reserves.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not universally installed; many buildings rely on natural ventilation due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
75%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and warm summers, but limited extreme variation.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with strong university influence, arts, and wine culture.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife focused on bars and live music; quieter than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, vineyards, mountains, and nature reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Opportunities mainly for Afrikaans and isiXhosa; English widely spoken.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
81%
Weight: 10
Wine tours, cultural tours, and outdoor activities widely available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly cafes, museums, and small theaters.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
79%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local South African cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, catering to locals and visitors.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available but not abundant.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce, organic markets, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
UTC+2 timezone is convenient for Europe and Africa but less so for Americas and Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
59%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; some startup and university-driven meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
58%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but still nascent compared to larger hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
61%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
60%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem driven by university and tech initiatives.
💳 Local Payment Services
63%
Weight: 10
Standard banking and payment services available; mobile payments growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
57%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment cautious but evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
52%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Cape Town International (about 40 km away), well connected internationally.
🚇 Public Transit
45%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; reliance on minibus taxis and private vehicles.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Compact town center is walkable; outskirts less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60%
Weight: 15
Uber and Bolt operate but coverage is less extensive than in major cities.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Cycling is popular; some dedicated lanes but infrastructure could improve.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
62%
Weight: 15
Good road connections; limited train services; bus services available.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter or bike rentals; mostly private bike ownership.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surrounding areas; 5G rollout limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably; no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
50%
Weight: 15
Frequent load shedding and power outages affect reliability.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited; mostly available in cafes and some public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no specific digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; no special incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with some political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
55%
Weight: 20
Some political uncertainty and social unrest, but generally stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
58%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures can be bureaucratic and require local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and some delays.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community compared to top nomad hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
40%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events; mostly informal meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
52%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence for digital nomads specifically in Stellenbosch.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
48%
Weight: 100
Moderate safety concerns; petty crime and occasional violent crime reported.
♀️ Female Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but caution advised in certain areas and at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Diverse community with ongoing social challenges; generally tolerant but disparities exist.