Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦
#216
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major global cities; cheaper than Cape Town but more expensive than smaller South African towns.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
64%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but can be higher near university and town center areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer affordable fresh produce; dining out is moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport options are limited but affordable; many rely on minibus taxis or private vehicles.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options like wine tours and local events are fairly priced.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
67%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available.
💱 Currency Stability
43%
Weight: 30
South African Rand is prone to volatility and inflationary pressures.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
62%
Weight: 100
Decent broadband in urban areas but can be inconsistent; fiber available in parts of town.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
60%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, mostly concentrated in town center and university areas.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes offering free WiFi, popular among students and remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and reliable WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Still emerging as a digital nomad destination; more popular among local students and academics.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and cultural activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air and water quality; surrounded by vineyards and green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
Clean in tourist and university areas; some parts of town less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
87%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, especially in business and tourist sectors.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with low industrial pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Good schools and family activities; safe neighborhoods available.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
68%
Weight: 20
Good private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare varies.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
72%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries but can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
69%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in private sector; public sector less reliable.
🌿 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 in surrounding areas.
🏞️ Green Spaces
85%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, vineyards, and natural reserves nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not universally installed; many buildings rely on natural ventilation.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
74%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and warm summers.
🔊 Noise Pollution
68%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet, especially outside university and town center areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
81%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with strong university influence and vibrant arts scene.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options, mostly bars and small clubs; more subdued than Cape Town.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, vineyards, mountains, and nature reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Afrikaans and Xhosa locally, but limited formal language schools.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80%
Weight: 10
Wine tours, cultural tours, and outdoor activities widely available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly cafes, museums, and small theaters.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
79%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with international influences; excellent wine and fresh produce.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not abundant.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness centers, including outdoor fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-focused food stores and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
GMT+2 time zone is convenient for Europe and parts of Africa, less so for Americas and Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
59%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; university and startup events provide some opportunities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
48%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
52%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but still nascent compared to major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
61%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but fewer in number and less modern than in larger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
55%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem, supported by university innovation hubs.
💳 Local Payment Services
64%
Weight: 10
Standard banking and mobile payment services available but less advanced than global fintech hubs.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Cape Town International (~40 km away) with good international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
42%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; reliance on minibus taxis and private transport.
🚶 Walkability
73%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber and Bolt operate but coverage outside central areas is limited.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure; popular among students and locals but not widespread.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
61%
Weight: 15
Bus and minibus taxi services available; limited train options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of scooter rentals; some bike rentals exist.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G rollout limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably; no major restrictions on internet use.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
40%
Weight: 15
Frequent load shedding and power outages affect reliability.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
62%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
55%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
47%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex; foreign income taxation rules apply.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with constitutional protections.
🏛️ Political Stability
53%
Weight: 20
Some political challenges and social unrest but overall stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process but can be slow and paperwork-heavy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
58%
Weight: 50
Some infrastructure and community support but still developing as a nomad destination.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad-specific events; mostly informal meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence compared to major nomad hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
43%
Weight: 100
Safety concerns exist, especially after dark; common sense precautions advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate; women should exercise caution in certain areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with ongoing social challenges but generally tolerant.