Review

We rented an apartment here because the location was perfect and the courtyard was enclosed, perfect for living with a child. The apartment was warm and the layout was clean and free of any corners. But the building density was simply mind-blowing. The blocks were so close together, it felt like living in an anthill, where everyone was right in front of everyone else.

There's a solid front door. There are cameras everywhere on the floor, so strangers can't just walk into the building. I can safely leave my stroller and my child's bike in the hallway; no one bothers me.

The residents are mostly young families with children and mortgage holders. There's always someone to chat with in the courtyard with strollers. But many apartments are rented out, so the faces in the elevator are constantly changing, and it's hard to remember them all.

The soundproofing is terrible. If the neighbor upstairs sneezes, you can say, "Bless you." And if your windows face Abay, the hum of traffic is constant, making sleeping with the window open in the summer a dubious pleasure.

The renovation was solid, no-frills, focusing on practicality. Washable wallpaper and good laminate flooring. In the winter, the windows sometimes drafted, so we had to call in professionals to replace the seals.

The view from the window is a pain. We look straight into the windows of the neighboring unit. The distance is minimal, so our roller blinds are almost always drawn. Our sense of privacy is greatly diminished.

The building looks modern from the outside, and the hallways are spacious. But there are a lot of people there. In the morning and evening, the elevators are jammed; sometimes it's easier to carry a child down the stairs than to wait.

Cleaning crews work every day, washing the hallways. However, due to the large number of residents and children constantly dragging sand from the landing, the elevators can get a bit dirty by evening.

The courtyard is raised to the second floor (on the stylobate) and completely enclosed. Children can run around freely, as there are no cars at all. This is a huge advantage for the complex.

The courtyard is gorgeous. There are tons of cool playgrounds with rubberized surfaces, swings, slides, and gazebos for parents. In the evenings, it's bustling with activity, with hundreds of children.

There's underground parking, but spaces are expensive. If you haven't purchased a parking spot, parking on the street along Abay or in the side streets in the evening is mission impossible. My husband is always on edge about it.

The monolith is sturdy. In winter, the radiators are so hot that you have to open the windows or turn off the vents. But the elevators are cheap, and sometimes they break down or creak when moving.

The location is simply top-notch. The intersection of Abay and Rozybakiyevo is the center of life. The infrastructure is well-established, everything is within easy reach, from clinics to large shopping centers.

There are a ton of coffee shops on the ground floors. In the morning, there's always a place to grab delicious coffee and fresh pastries for a walk with your child.

There are plenty of cafes and small restaurants around, and delivery takes 15-20 minutes. There are fewer decent, quiet family-run restaurants, but there's still plenty to choose from.

Abay Avenue is cleaned very well, and the sidewalks are always clear. However, due to the heavy traffic, dust quickly accumulates on windowsills.

The area is lively and well-lit. You can walk until late at night; there are Sergek cameras everywhere, and police patrols are frequent.

Abay Avenue itself looks good: mature trees, wide sidewalks, and dedicated lanes. The area is cozy and truly urban.

The Alatau metro station is literally a five-minute walk away. Bus stops are right outside the building, and buses go anywhere in the city. Transportation accessibility is 10 out of 10.

In the morning, Abay is jammed with traffic heading toward the center. Rozybakieva is also perpetually stuck in traffic. If you need to drive anywhere during rush hour, allow an extra 40 minutes.

The noise from Abay Avenue never stops, day or night. Plus, there's the wail of ambulance sirens, as there are hospitals nearby. There's no peace to be found here.

There are no large parks nearby for long walks. We mostly stroll along the boulevard along Abay Avenue or walk in circles in our huge enclosed courtyard.

There's a large Small store in the neighboring block, and the ground floors are filled with 24-hour minimarkets. For fresh vegetables, you can visit the small market nearby.