Forum
Analytics
Shymkent, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
#127
,
Nomad Score:
59%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Shymkent is one of the most affordable cities in Kazakhstan with low prices for daily expenses compared to global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
89%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are very reasonable, with many budget-friendly apartments available for digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and grocery stores offer fresh produce and staples at low prices.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are inexpensive, making commuting affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable but somewhat limited compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
73%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available at moderate prices, though high-end facilities are rare.
💱 Currency Stability
62%
Weight: 30
Kazakhstani tenge experiences moderate fluctuations but remains relatively stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average internet speeds are decent but can be inconsistent; fiber-optic is available in central areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
34%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces; few dedicated hubs for digital nomads.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
55%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but quality and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
41%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads with comfortable workspaces and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
27%
Weight: 100
Shymkent is not a well-known destination among digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
70%
Weight: 30
Generally relaxed lifestyle with a slower pace compared to bigger cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
59%
Weight: 15
Moderate pollution levels; some industrial areas affect air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
61%
Weight: 10
City is moderately clean but some public areas could be better maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43%
Weight: 30
Kazakh and Russian are dominant; English is not widely spoken, posing challenges.
💨 Air Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates, with occasional smog during colder months.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Adequate facilities for families but limited international schools.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
58%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services are available but lack advanced facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84%
Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
60%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious cases may require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
67%
Weight: 80
Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters; summer is pleasant for outdoor activities.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
62%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas, but limited compared to larger urban centers.
❄️ Air Conditioning
57%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not standard in all buildings, especially older ones.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters, offering variety but harsh winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
54%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter than larger cities but some busy areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with local traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
48%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly small bars and cafes.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to natural parks and countryside for hiking and exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal opportunities to learn Kazakh and Russian.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
63%
Weight: 10
Some local tours available but not widely developed for tourists.
🎳 Indoors Fun
52%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment such as cinemas and malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Good variety of traditional Kazakh and Central Asian cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
31%
Weight: 10
Very few yoga studios or wellness centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
59%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available but limited variety of fitness classes.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is available; healthy eating options are growing but limited.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
64%
Weight: 20
UTC+6 time zone works well for Asia and some European connections but less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
37%
Weight: 25
Few professional networking events or meetups for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; not well organized or visible.
🏢 Coworking Quality
32%
Weight: 30
Existing coworking spaces are basic with limited amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
29%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent and underdeveloped.
💳 Local Payment Services
54%
Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available but limited integration with global platforms.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
46%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
51%
Weight: 30
Shymkent International Airport offers regional flights but limited international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
67%
Weight: 20
Public buses and shared taxis are common and affordable.
🚶 Walkability
58%
Weight: 20
City center is moderately walkable but infrastructure outside is limited.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
50%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps exist but are less widespread than in major cities.
🚲 Cycling
39%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
63%
Weight: 15
Good bus and train connections to other Kazakh cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
25%
Weight: 10
Very limited or no scooter/bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city; 5G rollout is limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable electricity supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
47%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival for many nationalities; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
53%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates but complex regulations for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
42%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions on media and public expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable but occasional political tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires significant documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic hurdles exist but process is improving.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
36%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
21%
Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
33%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads in Shymkent.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate gender equality; some cultural conservatism may affect comfort.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional ethnic tensions in the region.