Kathmandu has frequent power outages as of December 2019 even though everyone says otherwise, as does Pokhara. The old outages are referring to the load shedding issue which were routine power outages for the majority of the day. Now power outages are not routine and can last unknown amounts of time, even the main (and only) airport loses power often. Buildings are unheated, water for showering is generally unheated or lukewarm, many houses get their water from urban aquifers which may be heavily polluted, as city water is yellow and oily. Many roads in the city are dirt, and air quality is extremely poor, especially during the crop burning season. Locals are friendly and helpful and many outside of tourist areas may have never met a foreigner before. The locals and the mountains make the place special, everything else about it is quite bad, notably hygiene, food safety, traffic danger, and exposure to all sorts of environmental pollutants. That said, I will be returning to visit the local friends made while there.
Nomad Guide of Kathmandu
Explore Kathmandu like a local with our comprehensive nomad guide. Find the best places to work, live, and play, all tailored to the digital nomad lifestyle. Stay connected and make the most of your time in Kathmandu with our insider tips and recommendations.
Stay updated on the weather in Kathmandu with our reliable data source. Plan ahead for changing conditions and make the most of your time in the city. Check the forecast and stay prepared for any weather events.
Cost of Living in Kathmandu
Discover the cost of living in Kathmandu with our data source. Compare expenses for housing, food, transportation, and more to make informed decisions about your budget. Stay informed and make the most of your money in Kathmandu.
Cost of Living for Expats :
$1,097/mo
Cost of Living for Nomads :
$1,205/mo
Cost of Living for Families :
$3,252/mo
Cost of Living for Local :
$929/mo
Cost of coffee :
$0.50
Rent for 1 bedroom :
$927/mo
Dinner:
$2.21
Beer :
$2.12
Coca Cola :
$1.26
Tax for 50k income :
$
Tax for 100k income :
$
Tax for 250k income :
$
Pros and Cons Living in Kathmandu
Like many other cities Kathmandu have a lot of advantages to offer its residents and visitors, but it also has its fair share of drawbacks. We have made this pros and cons table to help you better vizualize them.
Pros
✅ Affordable to live
✅ Pretty safe
✅ Lots of fun stuff to do
✅ Warm now
✅ Warm in the spring
✅ Nomad List members liked going here
✅ Many Nomad List members here all year round
✅ Spacious and not crowded
✅ Good hospitals
✅ People can speak basic English
✅ Safe for women
✅ LGBTQ+ friendly
✅ Not many people smoke tobacco
Cons
❌ Freedom of speech is weak
❌ Not very democratic
❌ Very slow internet
❌ Bad air quality today
❌ Difficult to do business
❌ Quality of education is low
❌ Roads can be dangerous
❌ Not family friendly
Quality of Life in Kathmandu
No Data for now.
Visa Requirements in Kathmandu
No Data for now.
Security and Crime in Kathmandu
Stay informed on security and crime in Kathmandu with updated information on crime rates, types of crimes and measures being taken. Ensure personal safety by staying informed and taking steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Help keep Kathmandu safe.
Low Crime rate
High Security Index
Polution and Air Quality in Kathmandu
Stay informed about the air quality and pollution levels in Kathmandu. Our data source provides up-to-date information on various pollutants and their effects on health and the environment. By monitoring the air quality in Kathmandu, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of pollution.
Similar cities to Kathmandu
Discover cities that are similar to Kathmandu in terms of attractions and amenities. Our hand-picked list includes locations with similar cultural settings, recreational activities, and high-quality lodgings. These cities are worth visiting if you're looking for a place with a similar atmosphere or just a change of scenery. Plan your next urban journey by visiting these similar cities.
Trending
Berlin
Germany
#6
Air Quality
Good
36
Mbps
FEELS 21°
21°
$3,637/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Bangkok
Thailand
#4
Air Quality
Moderate
17
Mbps
FEELS 33°
29°
$1,895/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Lisbon
Portugal
#1
Air Quality
Good
29
Mbps
FEELS 22°
22°
$3,367/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Chiang Mai
Thailand
#8
Air Quality
Moderate
17
Mbps
FEELS 35°
29°
$1,222/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Istanbul
Turkey
#16
Air Quality
Good
6
Mbps
FEELS 19°
19°
$2,142/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
#34
Air Quality
Moderate
11
Mbps
FEELS 39°
29°
$1,601/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Amsterdam
Netherlands
#141
Air Quality
Good
14
Mbps
FEELS 15°
15°
$6,366/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Barcelona
Spain
#75
Air Quality
Good
39
Mbps
FEELS 23°
23°
$4,295/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Cities near Kathmandu to visit
There are several cities and places close to Kathmandu worth your visit. In addition to sightseeing in Kathmandu, spare some time to discover the surroundings of the city. You can discover Lucknow, Pokhara, Kanpur, Bareilly, and Ranchi, who are a few kilometres away either by car or public transport.
Trending
Lucknow
India
#158
Air Quality
Unhealthy
3
Mbps
FEELS 30°
28°
$918/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Pokhara
Nepal
#100
Air Quality
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
7
Mbps
FEELS 25°
25°
$993/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Kanpur
India
#336
Air Quality
Good
4
Mbps
FEELS 30°
28°
$1,858/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Bareilly
India
#352
Air Quality
Unhealthy
2
Mbps
FEELS 31°
27°
$979/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Ranchi
India
#483
Air Quality
Moderate
3
Mbps
FEELS 25°
25°
$961/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Kolkata
India
#489
Air Quality
Unhealthy
3
Mbps
FEELS 37°
30°
$1,174/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Jamshedpur
India
#354
Air Quality
Moderate
3
Mbps
FEELS 39°
30°
$894/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Trending
Patna
India
#409
Air Quality
Unhealthy
1
Mbps
FEELS 32°
29°
$1,114/mo
Overall
All
Cost
Internet
WiFi
Fun
Safety
Reviews of Kathmandu - Feedback from travelers
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Discussion (5)
0
Kathmandu has frequent power outages as of December 2019 even though everyone says otherwise, as does Pokhara. The old outages are referring to the load shedding issue which were routine power outages for the majority of the day. Now power outages are not routine and can last unknown amounts of time, even the main (and only) airport loses power often. Buildings are unheated, water for showering is generally unheated or lukewarm, many houses get their water from urban aquifers which may be heavily polluted, as city water is yellow and oily. Many roads in the city are dirt, and air quality is extremely poor, especially during the crop burning season. Locals are friendly and helpful and many outside of tourist areas may have never met a foreigner before. The locals and the mountains make the place special, everything else about it is quite bad, notably hygiene, food safety, traffic danger, and exposure to all sorts of environmental pollutants. That said, I will be returning to visit the local friends made while there.
0
I can't relate to many of the ratings here. I spent half a year in Kathmandu and it's amazing for digital nomads. I would give high scores for all mentioned categories except air quality. Great happiness. Great wifi (better than Munich in many places), good hospitals, amazing culture and people. Nomads there know each other. The community is small but growing
0
Kathmandu is an upcoming destination in the digital nomad community for its cheap living, great outdoor opportunities and its vibrant expat community. After the earthquake the country had to recover and with it came some major improvements: Internet connectivity has reached levels similar to many places in Asia such as Bali and the Philippines. Power cuts have been brought down to a minimum. And more and more places have started up co-working and living places that suit the digital nomads’ needs. Kathmandu now is a place that is alive with positive energy and is moving forward.
0
MMM I really think these ratings are really wrong. Kathmandu is a super polluted city, air quality get you dizzy dizzy... cost of living is really expensive if you want to have small comforts... like a swimming pool is 6euros, the zoo is 20 euros... you have to think that if you are a foreign you have an extra tax in most of the prices, there is a local price and a tourist price. Also taxis can become really expensive, short ride can jump into 6 euros, moto is a better solution but again, pollution and safety is not really into vogue. Also about food, there are no fridges in the supermarket so your milk or daily products must be buy in local shops, and again hygiene is not at its best. Woman friendly is not so much... you must cover you up in order to don't attract followers... there are no go zones in Kathmandu... and also be aware of bands of dogs... Internet is good speed after the earthquake, most houses have solar power so you will be able to be online full time... getting a SIM card needs the help of a local, since again SIM cards for foreigns need a permission, so is not easy going as a city... in fact is really chaotic and super dirty.... is not a 100% walkable city... is a moto city, and again is super dirty, so I you want to walk in rainy season better to not have bear foot... Pokhara is a better option...
0
There's an exciting buzz in Nepal now with the current government providing some stability and power cuts largely being a thing of the past.