Forum
Analytics
Karaganda, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
#128
,
Nomad Score:
50%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Karaganda is one of the more affordable cities in Kazakhstan with low prices for daily expenses compared to global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are quite low, especially for long-term stays in modest apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
83%
Weight: 40
Local markets and grocery stores offer inexpensive fresh produce and staples.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90%
Weight: 20
Public transport is very cheap, with affordable bus and minibus options.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable, including cinemas and local events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
75%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced but facilities may vary in quality.
💱 Currency Stability
52%
Weight: 30
The Kazakhstani Tenge has moderate volatility influenced by oil prices and regional economic factors.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average internet speeds around 30-50 Mbps; stable but not high-end by global standards.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
34%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most digital nomads rely on cafes or home setups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
55%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but quality and reliability can be inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
38%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; power outlets and comfortable seating are limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
12%
Weight: 100
Karaganda is not a known destination for digital nomads, very low community presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase with reasonable prepaid plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Generally balanced lifestyle but limited leisure options may affect overall satisfaction.
🌳 Environmental Quality
41%
Weight: 15
Industrial legacy impacts air quality; some pollution issues persist.
🧼 Cleanliness
50%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness is average; some areas are well-maintained while others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
30%
Weight: 30
Russian and Kazakh are dominant; English is not widely spoken, posing communication challenges.
💨 Air Quality
35%
Weight: 15
Air pollution from industry and heating systems affects quality, especially in winter.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
50%
Weight: 25
Basic family amenities available but limited international schools and activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
48%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services are available but lack modern facilities and specialists.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
50%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is functional but limited in advanced care and English support.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
21%
Weight: 80
Long, cold winters with snow and short summers; not ideal for those seeking warm, sunny climates.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
45%
Weight: 10
Some parks and green areas exist but are limited in size and number.
❄️ Air Conditioning
20%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in many buildings due to the cold climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with cold winters and warm summers, though winters dominate.
🔊 Noise Pollution
40%
Weight: 10
Some industrial and traffic noise, especially near city center and factories.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
60%
Weight: 20
Rich Kazakh and Russian cultural influences with local traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
30%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly small bars and cafes.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50%
Weight: 15
Nearby natural areas exist but require travel; city itself is urban and industrial.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools for English speakers; Russian and Kazakh classes available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
45%
Weight: 10
Some local cultural tours and experiences but not widely developed for tourists.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas and malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
55%
Weight: 25
Traditional Kazakh and Russian cuisine prevalent; few international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
25%
Weight: 10
Very few yoga studios; wellness culture is not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available but limited variety of fitness classes.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
45%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is available but processed and heavy foods dominate local cuisine.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
UTC+6 time zone is moderately favorable for communication with Asia and Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
20%
Weight: 25
Very limited professional networking events for digital nomads or expats.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most remote work is done for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
25%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is minimal and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
20%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces exist and those that do are basic with limited amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
30%
Weight: 15
Emerging but very small startup ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
55%
Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available but limited integration with global fintech.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but adoption remains niche and regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
40%
Weight: 30
Karaganda airport has limited international flights; most connections require transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
70%
Weight: 20
Affordable and functional bus and minibus system covers the city adequately.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
City center is moderately walkable but suburban areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Yandex.Taxi operate but coverage is not as extensive as in major cities.
🚲 Cycling
30%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and harsh winters reduce cycling viability.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Rail and bus connections to other Kazakh cities are available but can be slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
10%
Weight: 10
No significant scooter or bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city with major providers.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services generally work well; no major government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
35%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mostly available in cafes and some public buildings.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Visa-free entry for many countries for up to 30 days; longer stays require permits.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
40%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions on media and public expression exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable political environment with occasional protests.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and some delays.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa program available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
20%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
10%
Weight: 25
Very few or no digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
25%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums dedicated to Karaganda digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
65%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate gender equality; some cultural conservatism may affect female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
55%
Weight: 50
Ethnically diverse but occasional discrimination reported.