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Analytics
Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦
#216
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major global cities, with reasonable prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be higher in popular areas near the university and town center.
🍎 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 but affordable; taxis and ride-shares are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options like wine tours and local events are affordable but somewhat limited.
🏋️ 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, which can affect budgeting for long-term stays.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
65%
Weight: 100
Decent internet speeds in urban areas, but occasional outages and slower speeds compared to global standards.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
59%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist, mostly catering to local entrepreneurs and students.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
67%
Weight: 30
Some cafes are nomad-friendly with power outlets and good ambiance, but options are limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
41%
Weight: 100
Not a major digital nomad hotspot, but growing interest due to scenic environment and lifestyle.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
80%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and cultural activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
74%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality and natural surroundings, though some urban pollution exists.
🧼 Cleanliness
55%
Weight: 10
Clean in tourist and university areas, but some parts of town show typical urban litter issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
89%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
72%
Weight: 15
Mostly good air quality, with occasional pollution spikes during dry seasons.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
68%
Weight: 25
Good schools and outdoor activities, but safety and healthcare access vary.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
68%
Weight: 20
Private healthcare facilities are good, but public healthcare can be inconsistent.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries, but still a significant expense.
🏥 Healthcare
69%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is available, especially in private clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
85%
Weight: 80
Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters; generally pleasant year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
83%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional droughts and wildfires in the region.
🏞️ Green Spaces
87%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, vineyards, and natural reserves nearby offer excellent outdoor options.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not universally available; many buildings rely on natural ventilation due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
75%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and warm summers, providing pleasant variety without extremes.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet town with occasional noise in busy areas and nightlife spots.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with strong university influence, arts, and wine culture.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is modest, centered around bars and small clubs; not a major party destination.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, vineyards, mountains, and nature reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
62%
Weight: 10
Some opportunities to learn Afrikaans and Xhosa, but limited formal language schools.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
76%
Weight: 10
Wine tours, cultural tours, and outdoor activities are popular and accessible.
🎳 Indoors Fun
54%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly cafes, small theaters, and museums.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
77%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local South African cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as widespread as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, but fewer specialized facilities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
GMT+2 timezone is convenient for European and African clients, less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; mostly informal meetups and university-related events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
43%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community but still limited compared to major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
57%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack some amenities found in larger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem, mainly tech and agri-tech, but still nascent.
💳 Local Payment Services
61%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and banking apps are improving but not as seamless as in developed markets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption, with some local crypto communities.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
64%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Cape Town International, about 40 minutes away, with good international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
38%
Weight: 20
Limited and unreliable public transit options within Stellenbosch.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber and Bolt operate in the area, providing convenient transport options.
🚲 Cycling
74%
Weight: 10
Cycling is popular with dedicated lanes and scenic routes, though safety can be a concern.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and minibus taxis connect to Cape Town and other towns, but schedules can be irregular.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
45%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G rollout is limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
49%
Weight: 15
Frequent load shedding and power outages can disrupt work.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
56%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
67%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79%
Weight: 15
Generally good freedom of speech with active civil society.
🏛️ Political Stability
53%
Weight: 20
Some political tensions and protests occur, but overall stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
58%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and time.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in South Africa as of June 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
54%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly to nomads but lacks infrastructure and visa support.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
42%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events; mostly informal gatherings.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online community of digital nomads in Stellenbosch.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
47%
Weight: 100
Safety concerns exist, especially at night; common urban crime issues.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but caution advised in certain areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with ongoing social challenges but generally tolerant.