Why the UK didn't become a home for me: personal experience and comparison with Kazakhstan

I was born in Europe, in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg, where I completed my studies at St. Petersburg State University in the field of conflictology. My first step in my career was with a company that specialized in online English language courses. Over the course of five years, I gradually reached new heights in my profession and eventually became a partner to the executive director. Today, I am focused on developing a new direction that encompasses aspects such as delegation, documentation of the company's internal technologies, personnel management, and strategic planning. My main goal is to help entrepreneurs and professionals effectively organize their professional activities.

My working style

In recent years, I have been working in a format that is quite different from a traditional office space, but I always have high standards for my workspace. I prefer not to conduct business in beach or café settings. Every time I move, one of the first tasks is to create a comfortable workspace to ensure a full office experience at home. Moving significantly impacts my life, and over time, I have moved quite a bit. After studying in the UK, where I spent almost a year living just 60 kilometers from London, my journey took me to Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, and then to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Time in the United Kingdom

As for my stay in the UK, this trip was my second, and it has solidified my reluctance to stay there permanently. One of the downsides of the country for me was the food. In Russia, it's relatively easy to find a suitable diet, whereas in England, the situation with products can be disappointing—even the price ranges are comparable. However, it's worth noting that due to rising energy prices, the cost of the basic food basket is rapidly increasing.

• A kilogram of chicken fillet can cost around 20 pounds sterling (approximately 2000 rubles).
• A dozen homegrown eggs costs 4 pounds (approximately 400 rubles).

Even despite the high prices, it can be very difficult to find quality products. I couldn't help but feel a heavy nostalgia for "Russian products," especially buckwheat and cottage cheese. Another issue for me has been the high humidity in the UK, which is comparable to that of St. Petersburg, or even exceeds it. If you leave food outside the fridge, it spoils quickly, which makes everyday life significantly more challenging.

Bureaucratic complexities

The bureaucratic system in the UK can sometimes be deeply perplexing. Where issues can be resolved quickly in Russia, it can take a lot of time in the UK. Problems arise in banking institutions, areas of public services, and legalization.

Real estate in London

When it comes to the real estate market, renting and buying a home in London is extremely expensive. Finding a cozy and dry place to live is a task that requires significant effort and resources. In old houses, the apartments are often quite cold, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the movies about Jeeves and Wooster, where everyone uses heaters. It's hard to imagine that while preparing breakfast, you turn away to pour yourself some tea, and when you return, the food has already cooled down.

Thus, living in the UK has opened up many moments for me to reflect on in the context of choosing where and how I would like to live.

In some buildings, there is no central heating, and sometimes the temperature in the bathroom becomes unbearably low, making it difficult to undress. At night, people are forced to sleep next to an electric heater. Among new constructions, this problem is significantly less, but the cost of living in such places is much higher. I felt a lack of space: often there are no yards or terraces in front of small houses, which creates a feeling of a closed atmosphere. Moreover, from an ecological standpoint, England, as it turned out, did not meet my expectations. I am used to having bodies of water everywhere, but even in London, where the River Thames flows, I missed the feeling of being close to water.

As a result of all this reflection, I clearly realized that this country is not suitable for comfortable living. Of course, visiting a performance at the Globe Theatre or strolling through London is an interesting activity, but such trips can easily be made by simply coming to visit. At the same time, I was following the lives of my friends who had already left England and moved to different countries such as Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, the USA, and many European states. I was genuinely interested in their new lives, and I started asking questions about the places where they had settled.

Moving to Kazakhstan

One of my close friends chose Kazakhstan, specifically the city of Pavlodar. I really liked his impressions of this city. I realized that he would be able to support me with the move, and I decided to go there. The climate in Pavlodar surprised me with its sunny weather. January and February were characterized by a truly frosty winter, but the bright sun shone, which had a positive effect on my overall health. Sometimes the temperature dropped to -27 °C, but overall the weather was quite changeable: morning temperatures were -27 °C, daytime -16 °C, and evening -9 °C.

Life in Pavlodar

Pavlodar is a small but cozy city located on the banks of the Irtysh River. The city has a waterfront that is perfect for walks, and in winter, ice sculptures and ice rinks are set up. All the locals communicate freely in Russian. Although the city may not boast outstanding architectural landmarks or a vibrant cultural life, you can always travel to neighboring regions for a change of leisure activities. For everyday life, it has everything you need.

Advantages of living in Pavlodar:

• The food situation is fine: the local cuisine is very similar to ours.
• The range of medications is also similar.
• The prices are significantly lower than in St. Petersburg.
• Availability of quality farm products: fresh eggs, meat, and dairy products.
• A wide selection of natural fruits and vegetables.
• Numerous stores with eco-friendly products.

Housing conditions

As for housing, I managed to rent a cozy two-room apartment in the city center. The rent, including utilities, was about 170,000 tenge per month, which at that time was equivalent to less than 30,000 rubles. Even considering the price increases, they still remained quite reasonable. In terms of logistics, many items that are currently hard to find in Russia are available in Kazakhstan.

A wide selection of goods in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, a diverse range of products is available thanks to the efficiently operating Wildberries platform. If you need items that you usually use in Russia, you can easily order them through this service. Delivery is handled by the CDEK company, and I had the experience of sending 12 kg of goods from St. Petersburg to Pavlodar, which cost only 2000 rubles.

Registration at the place of residence

Registration at the place of residence is mainly carried out by the landlord. It is important to emphasize that this process does not require financial costs; however, if difficulties arise, as was the case for me when the apartment owner was unable to register me due to technical issues on the website, there are specialists available to help for a reasonable fee — from 5,000 to 10,000 tenge (approximately from 900 to 1,800 rubles) for registration for a period of up to 90 days.

Getting a local SIM card

To obtain a local Beeline SIM card with any tariff plan, you will need a new-style foreign passport. The mobile application of this operator is user-friendly and works flawlessly. After you receive the SIM card and register, head to the Public Service Center (PSC), which can be compared to our Multifunctional Centers (MFC). There, you will need to fill out a simple form, after which you will receive an Individual Identification Number (IIN) without spending a dime. For example, I submitted my application in the morning, and by the evening, I had the necessary document in my email.

Banking services

When it comes to banking services, everything is quite simple and accessible! With an active SIM card, registration, and your individual identification number (IIN), you can head to...Caspian BankThe largest financial institution in the country, where you have the opportunity to open an account. When I opened my account, all procedures were completely free.

If you intend to continue your stay in the country, you should consider obtaining a residence permit (RP). For this, you need to have certain grounds, such as engaging in business or employment. Neglecting the validity of your visa can lead to serious problems and financial consequences. When I was leaving the country, the border guards paid extra attention to my passport, carefully checking whether I had violated the terms of my stay. They asked significantly more questions than when I entered, even though in the end, I did not spend more than 90 days here.

Tightening of regulations in Kazakhstan

In recent years, Kazakhstan has tightened control over entry and residence rules for migrants. My stay in Pavlodar left me with positive impressions, but soon I felt the need to change my place of residence when my close friend, who lives in Bishkek, invited me to visit. She significantly eased many work-related matters, and I concluded that moving closer to her would be the best option.

Stories of expats

The diverse stories of other expats also inspire change. Some share unexpected discoveries while living in Armenia, while others are interested in the journey of a Moscow entrepreneur who moved to Tashkent, passing through Zambia, Georgia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan has become a desirable place for a quick move, and locals discuss both the positive and negative aspects of life here.

Advantages of Kyrgyzstan

As for Kyrgyzstan, one of its main advantages is the ability to enter with a Russian passport and then register for six months without any complications. There is no need for a foreign passport, and the duration of stay has no restrictions. After six months, it is possible to extend the registration without additional documents.

Housing search

I quickly found accommodation thanks to my friend, who organized the rental in advance. The landlord registered me for six months for just 2500 soms (about 2200 rubles). I can't say for sure if this is done for free in other cases, but even if it is paid, the price is quite low.

Registration and residence permit

After six months, you have the opportunity not only to extend your registration but also to apply for a residence permit. With a residence permit in Kyrgyzstan, the possibilities for obtaining various visas, including American and Schengen visas, become more accessible. Thus, the statistics on visa acquisition for Russian citizens in this region are quite promising. After living in the country for five years, you will be able to apply for citizenship based solely on the fact of your residence here.

The housing market in Bishkek

When it comes to the housing market, Bishkek is certainly different from Pavlodar, as it is the capital with higher rental prices. However, prices are still affordable, especially compared to other major cities in Russia and Kazakhstan. For example, a good two-bedroom apartment or a decent three-bedroom place would cost around 50,000 soms per month (approximately 40,000 rubles). In Almaty or Astana, such amounts could significantly increase.

My apartment

I live in a new modern house with a secured area and high-quality renovations. My apartment costs 50,000 soms, and this amount includes all utilities.

Prices for the products

As for the grocery market, prices here are lower than in Kazakhstan. In Bishkek, there are many markets and farms where locals produce natural products. You can find not only organic products without harmful additives but also fresh vegetables that will remind you of a harvest from your own garden.

Available prices for products in Bishkek

In Bishkek, there are very affordable prices for food products, which has led to increased interest among local residents. For example, it's worth noting that a kilogram of beef liver can be purchased for just 150 soms, which is approximately equivalent to 120 rubles.

Based on this, a whole trout will cost 450 soms, which is approximately 400 rubles per kilogram. Fresh greens, priced at only 20 soms per bunch, are also available, and you can buy high-quality homemade eggs for 12 soms each.

It's interesting that the local pomegranates, popular in this region, are priced between 170 and 180 soms per kilogram, which is about 160 rubles. Undoubtedly, all the products here are fresh and of high quality.

Unique natural species

Looking out from my apartment on the 12th floor, I admire the stunning mountain landscapes and see local grandmothers gathering fragrant herbs like sage, thyme, and St. John's wort for sale. This atmosphere reminds me of the time when I used to collect similar greenery with my grandmother in my childhood, evoking warm feelings for nature and the traditions of this area.

The friendly atmosphere of the capital

In Bishkek, there is a friendly atmosphere. Most locals speak Russian, and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't speak the language. The attitude towards Russians in the city is respectful, despite the economic changes brought about by migration, which, in turn, have affected the rise in prices for certain goods.

Overall, the atmosphere in the city is quite neutral, and sometimes even warm. Bishkek, being a large city, is filled with events and active life, while at the same time, it is surrounded by stunning mountains that are a delight to the eye.

Spending free time in nature

Although I haven't had the chance to explore the surroundings yet, my friends often go on nature trips and share their impressions of the hot springs and the beauty of the landscapes, as well as the ski resorts. An important point is that the famous Issyk-Kul Lake is located just 200 kilometers away, making the city attractive not only for permanent living but also for weekend getaways. There are many sunny days here, creating an incredible atmosphere.

Opportunities for winter sports

The Toguz-Bulak ski resort is located in close proximity to the capital and offers exciting opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. As for the infrastructure, everything is organized at a high level, reminiscent of Kazakhstan.

In the near future, I plan to visit my parents and will bring vitamins with me that are hard to find in Russia or are significantly more expensive. In Bishkek, it's easy to order all the necessary items through delivery services like Wildberries and CDEK, which makes shopping and sending items between Russia and Kyrgyzstan convenient. Surprisingly, shipping goods turns out to be cheaper than paying for luggage on a plane.

Difficulties with banking services

Despite the many advantages, there are certain challenges regarding banking services in Kyrgyzstan. The local banking system is quite different from the Russian one - almost all cards require payment for use, including small fees for cash withdrawals.

Despite the occasional preference for cash in stores, I still use the "Golden Crown" card. However, due to the consequences of sanctions, some transactions have become more complicated, especially after "Tinkoff" suspended transfers.

Possible translations between countries

It is possible to transfer money from Sberbank to local cards, although I haven't opened such a card myself, as the exchange rate doesn't seem favorable. However, in principle, you can get a local card that works in rubles or soms and make transfers from any bank in Russia directly to Kyrgyzstan.

Environmental issues

As for the environmental situation, Bishkek experiences quite serious smog, which even exceeds the pollution levels in Pavlodar. The climate here is quite hot, especially in the summer months. By April, temperatures can reach 30 °C, and I myself got a sunburn on my face, as the heat is felt from the beginning of March, making the constant desire to hide from the sun unbearable.

The route from Europe to Asia

Reflecting on my journey from Europe to Asia, I realized that each new country leaves its mark on my life and professional activities.

Experience in the United Kingdom

My career in conflictology and distance learning has shaped me as a specialist capable of adapting to various conditions. Despite all the challenges I faced in the UK—from expensive products and housing issues to the complexities of bureaucratic procedures—I was able to learn from these experiences and appreciate the opportunities offered by different cultures.

Moving to Kazakhstan

Moving to Kazakhstan has been a real revelation for me. Pavlodar, with its sunny climate and the availability of quality products, has become a comfortable place for me to live and work. Here, I discovered that the simplicity and accessibility of solving everyday tasks is a significant value that is not available in some other countries.

Life lessons

My experience clearly demonstrates that life circumstances and geographical moves can act as catalysts for change, both in personal life and in one’s career. I have learned to approach new aspects of life with an open heart and mind. Now, looking back, I realize that each of these stages was important for my growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I urge everyone who is at a crossroads or contemplating changes not to be afraid to explore new possibilities and to choose what truly suits you.

• Life is full of amazing opportunities;
• Every new place can open up horizons for you.
• Don't forget that our journey is unique.

The main thing— to remember that our path is unique and ultimately depends only on ourselves.