Job Discussion Forums

Lancer · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 12

All the comments made here seem pretty accurate from my experience in Bishkek. Different expat communities there living different lifestyles. Peace Corps and missionaries roughing it. While on the other end the American contractors working at Manas Air Base and some of the NGO folks are making lots of money and live quite well in huge, modern apartments and have their own cars. Sometimes the contractors will rent an entire nightclub and throw a party there. But your salary with London School will not really allow that kind of extravagance (but you can still crash those parties like i did).

But in general the locals are friendly and if you hang out with the other local Kyrgyz/Russian teachers at your school, you will meet more locals who speak English who you can tutor privately or who can teach you Russian/Kyrgyz. Get your students to show you around as well, they often are really happy to do that and to get more English practice. Shop in the local bazaars instead of the Turkish malls and you will save money. The quality of the products and sizes available can be an issue, but you will save money at least. Just watch out for pick-pockets. There are also lots of good local cafes where the food is tasty and not expensive (less than $10 per person if you don't include booze).

I would stay away from the south of Kyrgyzstan (Osh and Jalalabad) unless you are going there with someone who knows the situation. Tense relations there between Kyrgyz and Uzbek minority there. Shouldn't affect you, but things can escalate really fast there. Peaceful protests have turned into looting and riots and then to revolutions quickly there in the past. But I think the political situation there has much improved since the last election. For sure, Kyrgyzstan is a interesting place to live. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and plenty of adventure if you want it. And make sure to make a trip to Issyk-kul lake when you can. The Kyrgyz are really proud of that place and will ask you if you have been there whenever you first meet them.