Review

The apartment is huge, so small you could practically ride a bike through the hallways. I bought it for the ecology and prestige, but now I realize that maintaining such a mansion costs a pretty penny every month.

Because we're in the mountains, cable internet has historically been a hassle. Fiber optics have been installed, but in bad weather or heavy snowfalls, the connection sometimes drops.

We practically live in the forest, so spiders and large beetles might pop onto the balcony in the summer. There are no cockroaches, and the sanitary and epidemiological station (SES) treats the area, but there's no escape from forest creatures.

The view from the panoramic windows is simply fantastic: snow-capped mountains on one side, the entire city on the other, spread out before your eyes. In the evening, you can sit on the terrace for hours and gaze at the lights of Almaty.

The complex looks monumental, like a European castle in the mountains; the architecture is still pleasing to the eye. But the infrastructure is slowly aging; pipes need replacing, the facade needs updating, and the targeted revenue is simply outrageous.

The grounds and entrances are kept impeccably clean, with a huge staff of janitors and cleaners. In winter, snow is cleared promptly; otherwise, these slopes are simply impassable.

The courtyard is gorgeous, the landscaping is on par with a good sanatorium, with plenty of coniferous trees and fountains. Walking along these alleys in the evening is a pure pleasure; the air is crystal clear.

There are reserved spaces in the underground parking garage, which is warm and dry. But if you have guests, parking on the narrow mountain streets surrounding the complex is a real challenge.

The water is clean and mountainous, but the pressure is sometimes weak, especially in the summer when everyone's watering their lawns. Power outages are rare, but fortunately the complex has its own backup generators.

The area is exclusive, secluded from the bustle of the city, a true recreational zone. But without a good SUV and a personal driver, there's nothing to do here; you can't reach civilization on foot.

The surrounding area is filled with expensive private mansions and residences. Police patrol the area regularly, and the crime rate is zero.

Public transportation is virtually nonexistent here; minibuses run infrequently and don't reach the very top. Your only hope is private transportation or premium taxis.

There are no traffic jams on the mountain itself, but to descend into the city along Omarova or Dostyk Streets, you have to wait through a significant traffic jam during rush hour. In winter, when the roads are icy, the road down becomes a real survival challenge.

The entire area is one big park. You can walk out the gates and immediately go for a walk along the mountain trails or walk to Kok-Tobe.

There are no restaurants right nearby; you have to go down to Dostyk Avenue. The selection there is excellent, but you can't walk there; you have to drive.

There are no cozy coffee shops in the area; it's purely a residential, upscale neighborhood. I only drink coffee at home from a good coffee machine or at my office in the city.

There's a small local store with basic groceries at exorbitant prices. For more basic groceries, I send the driver down to the Galmart supermarket.