Job Discussion Forums

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

Hi
Curious to know how these two cities compare. If you had to choose one over the other for a 6-month teaching contract, which would you choose ? Specific reasons would be helpful. I'm looking into/considering a move out of Syria.
Thnx
Basil Smile

zaneth · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:48 am Post subject:

Basil! How's it hanging? Syria getting hot?

I've been thinking about looking for a job somewhere in Russian speaking Muslim oil land myself. Oil dollars, use my Russian skills (I did finally get where I can hold a reasonably intelligible conversation), and get some exposure to the muslim world.

I'll keep you posted if I dig up anything on these two places.

joe-joe · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 100 Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Hi

I tried sending this the other day but the website went bonkers. So here we go again with my vicarious appraisal of both cities.

I had a colleague who lived and worked in Kazakhstan, and has a Kazakhstani wife. So my info is second hand but hopefully useful for you. Astana is very modern, (well brand spanking new in fact), and is situated in the centre of the country, surrounded by steppe, so the scenery isn't exactly exciting. It's fairly well serviced in terms of utilities, but quite dull to live there as the entertainment facilities aren't so developed (yet presumably).

Almaty is older, has a bit more character and has a good entertainment scene. It is in the south of the country and close to the mountains for day/weekend trips. So it is a more interesting place to be by all accounts. You can also easily get to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan if you fancy travelling a bit further afield in Central Asia.

Hope this helpful, and do bear in mind this second hand info.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

zaneth
no. not really. damascus is fine. its a great place but its now been over 4 years. i dont really want to stay too long. i made that mistake in jakarta (25 years !). just looking at a possible change maybe in a year or so.

joe2
thanks for that. anything past or present is welcome. it gives a rough guide re wat to expect. almaty by all accounts, seems the preferable.
thnx
basil Smile

zaneth · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:53 am Post subject:

Well, certainly age, proximity to mountains, and ability to travel to other Central Asian republics (though I imagine visa regime is the problem, there) make Almaty sound better.

But what about money? Is that new place where all the oil is? All the assignments?

25 years in Jakarta? Wow.

dreadnought · Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

I live just across the border in Kyrgyzstan, but have been to Almaty a few times and know some people who have worked in Kazakhstan.

Almaty is a thriving city, good flight access generally, though expensive for Central Asia and the traffic in the city is a nightmare.

Astana is in the middle of bloody nowhere and it's only real purpose for existence is to be the new capital. Oh, and damn cold in the winter. You're looking at -40C. I would go with Almaty if I had the choice (actually, I wouldn't go with either to be honest, and if Central Asia was your thing, I'd try Dushanbe or Bishkek, but there's very little money in those two cities)

philbags · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 149 Location: 1962-69

I lived in Astana for a couple of years and it was boring as hell, plus the people are pretty hostile; there arent many bars you could drink in without feeling youre about to get into a fight and poeple on the bus grimace at you if you crack a smile. All in all a pretty crap option 'less the salary is way high.
Almaty, then, no question:a historic city with tree lined streets a much pleasanter climate, more cosmopolitan and the most laid back muslims I ever met (no fasting, call to prayer or ramadan to be noticed - what else is there?). plus a couple of good bars and clubs.

travelingirl68 · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

I would have to agree with previous posters about Almaty over Astana. I lived in Taldykorgan (about 2.5 hours north of Almaty) for two years, and loved the area. The weather is generally milder, there is definitely more to do, and it is generally more cosmopolitan than Astana. Although Astana is the capital, most foreign countries have kept their embassies in Almaty. The traffic is a nightmare, it is relatively expensive, but it would be worth it. The oil money is on the Caspian Sea - Aktau and Atyrau, and things are even more expensive there for less 'entertainment' value. I do recommend learning at least some rudimentary Russian for getting through daily life anywhere in Kazakhstan, and Islam is practised differently there than anywhere else I have been. (Long years of Communism have forced most people to lose touch with any religious roots.)