Expat Advice: Living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Bishkek
How long have you lived there?
2 years
What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?
Not many organized groups I heard of except the Harriers, a running/socializing group that meets every week. However, there are a load of volunteer activities, especially tutoring in English
In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.
There is a fair amount of diversity, though not that many expats for a capital. No real ethnic areas. It isn't hard to meet people if you want, though it's hard to cast a wide net if you don't know Russian, and Kyrgyz are annoyed if you know none of theirs. The markets are a major diversion, especially the big Osj bazaar toward the west.
What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?
Teaching at the International School is supposed to be pretty easy, and several language schools always want native speakers; but only one, called London I think, pays much. There are newspaper ads in Russian but they rarely help since unemployment is rife, though things are picking up now. The international NGOs never seem to hire from within the country.
If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.
Because of lingering Soviet-style centralization and unease with western entrepreneurship, as well as a lot of official barriers to foreigners doing much, try to set up something before you go. People are friendly and relaxed, compared to Almaty for example, so you should be able to do some networking. Rent is rising fast but still cheap, and most other things (except imports) are very cheap by the standards of any western country
Moving to Kyrgyzstan soon?
More Expat Advice about Living in Kyrgyzstan
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Comments about this Report
guestNot sure when this report was written but it doesn't accurately describe the Bishkek I live in. Lots of cultrual diversity that may not be initially apparent. The situtaion since the most recent revolution is calm and tensions are mainly due to some disagreement about the recent election results. Foreigners are no more targets of pickpockets etc than locals and the rule of thumb is don't do stupid things that you would not do in your own country. the markets are like markets in any country - opportunist thieves make their way to loud or splash the cash individuals - and unsolicited 'offers of help' should be viewed with a healthy dose of caution. Generally people are friendly and approachable - and are pleased when you try to speak even a few rwords in Russian or Kyrgyz, though the manner of speaking might lead you to believe they don't care - that is just the way they are. Prices are not as low as they were - but since most expats don't have a problem with their funds, it's the locals who are most affected by price rises. Fow women there is an international womens group that makes the introduction to life here a little easier for accompanying spouses. Above all - leave negativity at home and embrace the experience of being in central Asia.
