Karaganda, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
#128
49.842154, 73.10632
Nomad Score:
56%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Karaganda is the largest city in central Kazakhstan, known for its history in coal mining and industry. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 400,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 30 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 KZT ≈ 0.0021 USD / 1 USD ≈ 485 KZT. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; recommend purchasing bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Kcell and Beeline. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Local banks such as Halyk Bank and Kaspi Bank offer services. Cards widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb and local rentals through websites like Krisha.kz. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted in many places but cash is still preferred by some vendors. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local hostels available with prices starting from $15 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel 'Holiday' offers dorm beds starting from $8 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Space 'Orbit' located in the city center. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café 'Tashkent' offers free Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check local events on Meetup.com for networking opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the 'Karaganda Expats' Facebook group for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex.Taxi is popular for on-demand ride services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycles can be rented from local shops, but no major scooter services available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No beaches, but the local lakes are 30 minutes away, like the 'Lake Borovoe' resort. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Astana serves various regional locations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Astana and SCAT Airlines operate international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via A1 highway to Astana and Almaty. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Karaganda Central Train Station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport is cheap; a typical monthly pass costs around 2000 KZT. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Karaganda with nearby cities like Temirtau and Balkhash. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | City Hospital No. 1 is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga studio 'Utopia' offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | 'Fitness House' offers monthly memberships for around 10,000 KZT. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | 'Clean City' offers laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodmandu is a popular option for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Beshbarmak (traditional meat dish served with pasta) is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | 'Tom & Jerry Restaurant' offers several vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | 'Shokoladnitsa' is well-known for its desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets such as 'Karaganda Bazaar' for fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Wildberries is a popular online shopping platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Kaspi.kz offers grocery delivery in Karaganda. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | 'Nasha Gora' is a popular bar among locals and expats. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | 'Karaganda Brewery' offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | 'Wine House' has a selection of local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Look for local vendors near the central market for traditional snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | 'Dostyk' serves a range of international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Park of Culture and Rest is a popular recreational area. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | 'Karaganda Regional Museum' showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The 'Krasivaya Sanka' memorial is essential for its historical significance. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | 'Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God' is notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The 'Teniz Festival' held annually in August attracts many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old Town area is rich in history with charming architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | 'Karaganda State Theater' presents various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Karaganda Bazaar offers a lively shopping experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | 'Karaganda Jazz Club' features local music talents. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Mural art can be found in many neighborhoods around the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking classes available at 'Culinary Academy of Karaganda'. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | 'Bazis Art Gallery' hosts local and contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | 'House of the USSR' is a landmark architectural piece. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Karaganda has a rich history influenced by its mining past. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Saryarka Steppe is a beautiful area for hikes and outdoor activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | 'Karkaraly National Park' is about 130 km away and offers stunning nature. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Many parks have paths suitable for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The observatory park provides great views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Areas near the banks of river 'Sheregesh' are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in 'Zhaksy Park' allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Kazpost and DHL provide reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in the city center offer phone and computer repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | 'Table Tennis Club ' offers facilities for players. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | 'LangZone' offers Kazakh and Russian language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Central Library of Karaganda is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | 'Arman Center' host various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | 'Cyber World' features PC gaming and esports tournaments. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | 'Shangri-La' Casino is the main venue for gambling. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $57,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $96,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $68,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Resident’s income is taxed based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict rules but reporting requirements exist. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Rates vary; typically around 1%. |