Karaganda, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
#128
,
Nomad Score:
53%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Karaganda is quite affordable compared to global standards, with low prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
89%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are low, especially for long-term stays in apartments or shared housing.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer inexpensive fresh produce and staples.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are very cheap, making commuting affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable when available.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
78%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, though not as widespread as in larger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
64%
Weight: 30
Kazakhstani tenge experiences moderate fluctuations but remains relatively stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 30-50 Mbps, sufficient for remote work but not exceptional.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking options; most nomads work from cafes or home.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
54%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but quality and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
37%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; power outlets and seating can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
15%
Weight: 100
Karaganda is not a known hub for digital nomads; very few foreigners stay long-term.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
69%
Weight: 30
Slower pace of life compared to bigger cities, allowing for decent balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
42%
Weight: 15
Industrial legacy affects air and soil quality; some pollution concerns.
🧼 Cleanliness
50%
Weight: 10
City is moderately clean but some areas show neglect and litter.
🗨️ Language Barrier
38%
Weight: 30
Russian and Kazakh are dominant; English is rarely spoken outside younger generations.
💨 Air Quality
39%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is an issue due to industrial activity and coal use.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
55%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services are available but lack modern facilities and specialists.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
57%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious conditions may require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
21%
Weight: 80
Harsh continental climate with cold winters and short summers; not ideal for those seeking mild weather.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
86%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
44%
Weight: 10
Some parks and green areas exist but are limited in size and number.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not common in many buildings due to cooler climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
73%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with cold winters and warm summers, but winter is very long and harsh.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
61%
Weight: 20
Rich Kazakh and Russian cultural influences; local festivals and traditions available.
🌃 Nightlife
36%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly small bars and cafes.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50%
Weight: 15
Nearby steppes and natural areas offer outdoor activities but limited infrastructure.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
52%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Russian and Kazakh exist but few formal language schools.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
41%
Weight: 10
Few organized tours; local experiences mostly self-guided or informal.
🎳 Indoors Fun
43%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment such as cinemas or cultural centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
60%
Weight: 25
Traditional Kazakh and Russian cuisine dominate; few international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
28%
Weight: 10
Very few yoga studios or wellness centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
56%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available but limited variety of fitness classes.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
54%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is available but processed and heavy foods are common.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67%
Weight: 20
UTC+6 time zone works well for Asia and some European overlaps but less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
29%
Weight: 25
Few professional or digital nomad networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
32%
Weight: 20
Limited local freelance community and support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
25%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; those available are basic and lack amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
31%
Weight: 15
Emerging but very small startup ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
58%
Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available; limited fintech innovation.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but adoption remains low and regulatory environment uncertain.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
43%
Weight: 30
Karaganda airport has limited international flights; most connections require transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
68%
Weight: 20
Bus and minibus networks cover the city adequately.
🚶 Walkability
55%
Weight: 20
Central areas are walkable but suburban spread limits pedestrian access.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
50%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Yandex.Taxi operate but less prevalent than in bigger cities.
🚲 Cycling
37%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and harsh winters reduce cycling appeal.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
62%
Weight: 15
Rail and bus connections to other Kazakh cities are available but slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
19%
Weight: 10
No established scooter or bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
74%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
71%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
33%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is scarce and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Visa process for Kazakhstan is moderate; some nationalities have visa-free access.
📊 Tax Friendliness
51%
Weight: 30
Tax system is average; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
42%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions on media and public expression exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
63%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable politically but occasional protests and government controls.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
47%
Weight: 15
Banking procedures can be bureaucratic and require local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate process; possible but involves paperwork and time.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
28%
Weight: 50
Overall low awareness and infrastructure for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
12%
Weight: 25
Almost no digital nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
25%
Weight: 20
Very limited online presence or forums for Karaganda digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
69%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; petty crime exists.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms can be conservative but major issues are rare.
✊ Racial Tolerance
53%
Weight: 50
Mixed; generally tolerant but occasional discrimination reported.