Review

We moved here for the ecology and fresh air, as our children are allergic to urban smog. The apartment is spacious and the layout is thoughtfully designed, but due to the proximity to the mountains, heating costs in the winter are quite high.

The residents are mostly married couples our age, many of whom know each other personally. No short-term renters or noisy student parties; the evenings are perfectly quiet.

From the street, you can't hear anything except birdsong in the morning and the occasional barking dog. The soundproofing between floors is average, though if the neighbors' children are running around, a dull thud can still be heard.

Internet access has historically been problematic here; cable providers are scarce, and mobile coverage is spotty. We installed fiber optics from a private provider, and the speed is average, though there are occasional connection drops during bad weather.

In summer, bugs, spiders, and midges often fly in from the mountains; there's no escaping them. Mosquito nets are everywhere on the windows, but if you leave the balcony door open, the creatures are sure to sneak in.

The view from the window is simply stunning; the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains begin literally just beyond the fence. No gray smog, the sky is always blue; for such a view, many everyday shortcomings can be forgiven.

The low-rise buildings are a huge plus; you don't feel like you're living in a concrete anthill. The buildings are neat, the roofs are pitched, and from the outside, everything looks like a good European suburb.

The grounds are very well maintained, the lawns are always mown, and the trash cans don't stink. Snow removal is prompt in winter, although during heavy snowfalls, the street cleaners sometimes find it physically impossible to cope.

The courtyards are gorgeous, with lots of pine trees planted, making the air incredibly fresh. The playgrounds are safe, and cars aren't driven around the grounds, so I have complete peace of mind for my children.

We have two cars as a family, and finding a spot for the second one can be very difficult in the evenings. In the winter, parking becomes a real quest; we regularly have to use a shovel to dig out our car.

The environment here is the best in the city, and the Alma-Arasan Gorge is just nearby. However, the infrastructure is seriously lacking, and living here without a car is practically impossible.

The air is crystal clear, with no trace of urban dust or exhaust fumes. You can go weeks without washing your car, and it stays clean, a rarity in Almaty.

The surrounding nature compensates for everything; the foothills look stunning at any time of year. Autumn is especially beautiful, with the slopes covered in red and yellow forest, making it breathtaking.

There are only one or two buses running at long intervals, making it impossible to get there in the evening by public transport. Taxis are reluctant to come here, and fares are always inflated due to the remoteness.

On weekdays, driving down Dulati/Navoi Street is no problem if you leave early. But on weekends, it's hell: the whole city goes to the mountains for vacation, and the traffic jam is right at our turnoff.

Only upscale mountain restaurants and shashlik joints along the highway are within walking distance. For decent everyday food or sushi delivery, you need to head down into town.