Review

I've lived in this Stalin-era building since I was a child; my parents left me the apartment. The ceilings are nearly three meters high, the walls are thick brick, and the energy here is simply incredible. The only downside is that the layout isn't the most modern; the long hallways eat up a lot of usable space.

The neighbors are old Almaty intellectuals, professors, musicians, everyone has known each other for decades. No random people here, just greeting each other, asking about their health, the atmosphere is very warm and homey.

This is a problem throughout the entire old city center: ants can appear in the summer, or even the occasional cockroach from neighbors doing renovations. We call the sanitary and epidemiological service regularly, but the old ceilings make their presence felt, making it difficult to get rid of them completely.

The windows overlook Tulebaev Alley, revealing centuries-old oaks and Tien Shan spruces—a true feast for the eyes. There are no new buildings in sight, only historic architecture and a sea of greenery.

The building is historic, built with care, and will stand for another hundred years without problems. However, the utilities, roof, and basements require constant attention and considerable investment from the residents.

The residents take turns cleaning the entrance hall themselves, or we hire a woman to do the job. It's always clean and cozy. There are potted flowers on the windowsills, rugs on the floor, and no one litters.

The courtyard is small, very green, and cozy, like in old Alma-Ata movies. There's an old wooden gazebo where we sometimes gather with the neighbors for tea in the summer.

There's a catastrophic shortage of parking spaces; the courtyards simply weren't designed for cars when they were built. We park our cars on the street along the sidewalk; finding a free spot in the evenings is a real stroke of luck.

The Golden Square is the heart of the city, the best area for a leisurely and comfortable life. It has preserved the very spirit of old Almaty, for which many are willing to put up with the old chimneys.

This is a benchmark for architecture and landscaping, with centuries-old trees creating a green canopy over the street. You can stroll here endlessly, admiring the memorial plaques and the beautiful facades of Stalin-era buildings.

On Tulebayeva Street itself, there are no traffic jams, traffic is limited, and it's semi-pedestrianized. But as soon as you drive onto parallel streets like Kunayev or Nazarbayev, you immediately find yourself in dense city traffic.

The area is incredibly quiet, a residential oasis right in the center of the metropolis. There's no traffic noise, only the rustling of leaves and the singing of birds in the morning.

Tulebayev Street itself is one continuous park with an alley. Nearby is the Opera House square and Astana Square, so you can choose a new route for a stroll through the greenery every day.

The area is teeming with chic restaurants, atmospheric old cafes, and bars to suit every taste. Prices are certainly higher than the city average, but the quality of the cuisine and service are worth it.

There are no huge hypermarkets here; they would spoil the neighborhood's appearance. However, there are plenty of premium convenience stores with a good selection of groceries, and excellent culinary options in the neighboring block.