🇰🇿 Turkestan,
Kazakhstan
#2889
Nomad Score
5.7
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43.3019457, 68.2703698
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Turkestan, Turkistan Region, Kazakhstan |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 230,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 45 Mbps (Fixed), 25 Mbps (4G/LTE) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 450 KZT, 1 EUR ≈ 485 KZT. Major banks: Kaspi.kz, Halyk Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended for drinking; bottled water like 'A'su' is preferred |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Beeline, Kcell, or Tele2. Approx. 4,000 KZT ($9) for 20GB |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Kaspi.kz is essential for QR payments; requires IIN (Tax ID) |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Booking.com, Airbnb, and local site Krisha.kz |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Extremely high via Kaspi QR; physical cards less common in small shops |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Karavansaray Hotel (Premium), or apartments on Krisha.kz |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Boutique Turkistan (approx. 5,000 KZT/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Near the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Karavansaray complex |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | New Turkestan City Center (Otau district) for modern infrastructure |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Turkistan Hub (IT Park), Bektanov St. (Approx. 3,000 KZT/day) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Global Coffee near Karavansaray (Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets) |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events organized by Turkistan IT Hub for tech and startups |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Couchsurfing Turkestan meetups or Telegram community 'Relocants Kazakhstan' |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex Go (standard city ride approx. 500-800 KZT) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Jet or Eleven e-scooters available via mobile apps in the central zone |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Shardara Reservoir (approx. 3 hours drive south) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | FlyArystan (Low-cost subsidiary of Air Astana) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Turkish Airlines (Direct flights to Istanbul from HSA Airport) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Western Europe-Western China Highway (M32) connects to Shymkent |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Turkestan Railway Station (Vokzal), Tauke Khan Avenue |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | TulparCard (Local bus fare is 70-100 KZT) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Shared taxis to Shymkent (1,500 KZT) or High-speed 'Talgo' train to Almaty |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Turkestan Regional Multi-Profile Hospital (New City District) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Wellness Center within the Rixos Khadisha Turkestan |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Royal Fitness, Tauke Khan Ave (approx. 15,000 KZT/month) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Snow White (Snezinka) laundry services on B. Sattarkhanov Ave |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Glovo or Wolt (Limited coverage, local restaurants use WhatsApp) |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Turkestan Plov (Pilaf) and Kuurdak |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Limited; 'Sandyk' restaurant offers grilled vegetables and salads |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Coffee Boom Turkestan for international pastries and cakes |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Central Bazaar (Kuanysh Market) for fresh produce and nuts |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Kaspi Shop (fast delivery of tech and lifestyle goods) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Magnum Go (via app) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Limited due to conservative culture; Karavansaray complex has upscale lounges |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Shymkentskoe Beer (distributed widely from neighboring Shymkent) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Edem Restaurant & Bar (Selection of Kazakh Arba Wine) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Samsa stalls near the Mausoleum (approx. 250 KZT per piece) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Doner & Burger shops on Tauke Khan Ave |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO site) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Farab Library and the Museum of Turkic Peoples |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Ancient settlement of Sauran (45km outside the city) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Hilvet Semi-Underground Mosque |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Nauryz Celebrations (March 21-23) with traditional games |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Cultural-Spiritual Center (The 'Karavansaray' area) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Turkistan Musical Drama Theater |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Turkestan Green Bazaar |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Open-air concerts at the Karavansaray Amphitheatre |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals on new residential blocks in the 'Otau' district |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal classes at local guest houses (Traditional Plov making) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Turkestan Art Gallery near the Visitors Center |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Friday Mosque (Juma Mecheti) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Spiritual capital of the Turkic world designation |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Karatau Nature Reserve (approx. 1 hour drive) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sayram-Ugam National Park (accessible via Shymkent) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Linear Park connecting the new administrative center to the mausoleum |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The 'Flying Theatre' tower at Karavansaray |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Banks of the Syr Darya river (approx. 30 mins away) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Camping zones in the foothills of Karatau Mountains |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | KazPost (National Post) or CDEK for fast shipping |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Master Mobile on B. Sattarkhanov Ave |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Olympic Reserve School sports complex |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Kazakh and Russian courses at Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Farab Science Library (Ultra-modern, best study spot) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Youth Center (Zhastar Ortalygy) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Cyber Arena Turkistan for PC gaming |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Illegal in Turkestan (Legal gambling zones are in Kapchagay or Borovoe only) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 450,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000,000 KZT / $40,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 300,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 12,000,000 KZT / $26,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 400,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000,000 KZT / $53,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 280,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 16,800,000 KZT / $37,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 380,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 30,400,000 KZT / $67,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 250,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 20,000,000 KZT / $44,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% (Standard), 3% for small business simplified regime |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% (can be reduced to 5% or 0% under tax treaties) |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency based on 183 days rule; global income taxed |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% Flat Rate (Personal Income Tax) |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable to residents with foreign interests |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual tax based on government valuation (usually < 1%) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No VAT on residential secondary sales; notary fees apply |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Astana Hub residents (including remote regional branches) can get 0% Corporate/Income tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING TURKESTAN