North — South: The Round Trip Between Almaty and Astana

He moved to Almaty for work after accepting a position as an HR manager at a petrochemical company based in the city. According to Yersaiyn, the first thing that comes to mind when asked about the differences between the two cities is Astana’s wind and cold—neither of which exists in Almaty.

When it comes to the locals, he believes the climate directly shapes people's temperaments:
—“I find people in Almaty to be more open and far more willing to help out. In Astana, nobody really wants to talk to each other because it’s freezing. Climate definitely plays a role. Astana locals have a certain sternness to them, though it seems to fade once they move to Almaty. Another difference is the pace of life. Almaty residents are much more relaxed, whereas people in Astana are constantly on the move, grinding away.”

Comparing infrastructure, Yersaiyn highlights Astana’s spacious layout, river embankment, and solid city design. Almaty, on the other hand, stands out for its restaurants, bars, nightlife, and, of course, the mountains and Shymbulak resort.

As for Almaty’s downsides, he points straight to the air quality:
—“I really like Almaty and plan to stay here. The local spots are incredible. I went to a bar called ‘Kino’—the atmosphere, the music, the crowd were amazing! You just feel this sense of calm and relaxation. Astana is more about the nightclub scene—everyone is freezing and just wants a drink. The vibe there is all work, like running on a treadmill. It’s tougher. Still, Astana is my hometown, and I love it for all the fond memories I have there,” Yersaiyn concludes.

Indira is originally from Astana. After living there for 18 years, she moved to Almaty for her studies and ended up staying for work. Six years later, she returned to Astana.

When asked about the main difference between the two cities, she points to the people and their lifestyles. In Astana, people's aspirations are heavily career-oriented; they are more serious, composed, and sometimes even cold, she believes. Almaty residents, on the other hand, are more open and dynamic, favoring freelance and remote work—professions that aren't tied to a specific location.

Indira also notes a stark contrast in mindsets. In her opinion, people in Almaty are more freedom-loving, enjoying outdoor activities, traveling, and working from coffee shops and coworking spaces. Astana locals, it seems to her, prefer structure, office life, and straightforward career growth.

When it comes to the weather, Indira’s preferences are split evenly between the two cities:
—“In Astana, I actually like the dry cold because you get sick less often. In Almaty, I love the weather during the warmer months, and I love the nature—the fact that the mountains are so close. You can easily just take off and go somewhere. [In the capital] I appreciate the comfort and safety; it is an administrative center, after all, and living here is several times safer. I was especially convinced of this after the January events. In Almaty, I think there are more opportunities for young people in terms of freelancing, various communities, projects, conferences, and so on.”

Among the downsides of Astana, she notes the lack of nearby nature and a limited choice of weekend getaway destinations, the main one being Borovoe. As for Almaty, she disliked the housing costs: moving from Astana to Almaty right now would be significantly more expensive.

—“I plan to stay in Astana; I feel more comfortable here. My family is here, and it's much better for me to be close to them,” Indira concludes.

Gulim lived in the capital for several years before moving to Almaty. Now, due to work, she is returning to Astana once again. To her, the primary difference between the two cities lies in their distinct weather conditions. In Astana, she enjoys the clean air and modern residential complexes, while the southern capital’s strengths are its natural surroundings: the mountains, abundant greenery, and pleasant climate. The cold weather and frequent high winds in windswept Astana are the main drawbacks of living in the capital, according to Gulim.

Gulim also sees a sharp contrast in the character of the residents: Almaty locals are spontaneous and easygoing, whereas Astana residents are more disciplined and hardworking. Like most of our interviewees, she views Almaty’s inflated housing prices—coupled with relatively modest average salaries—as a major downside.

At the end of the interview, Gulim promises that she will eventually return to Almaty:
—“I will definitely move back to Almaty; the quality of life here is on a completely different level, and everything is much more developed. But in Almaty, as they say, you need to live 'on chill' rather than working for someone else. So the ideal setup is to land a [remote] job in Astana while actually living in Almaty.”

Working as an editor, Anel made the jump from Almaty to Astana primarily driven by the housing market—renting in Almaty had simply gotten out of hand. Additionally, her husband’s work spans Pavlodar, Karaganda, and Shymkent, making Astana a strategic base.

For Anel, the capital’s selling points are practical: dramatically cheaper real estate and accessible childcare. Outside of groceries, overall living expenses skew lower. Putting rent into perspective, she breaks down the numbers:

“The apartment I rent here for 350,000 KZT would easily set me back 600,000 in Almaty. My daughter's kindergarten costs 120,000 KZT a month; a place with equivalent dining, extracurriculars, and care in Almaty would hit 300,000.”

Convenience is another huge selling point. Modern residential complexes (JYK) function as self-contained micro-districts. Where Almaty required navigating several blocks for nursery runs or errands, Astana offers kindergartens, cafes, gyms, dry cleaners, clinics, and dentists right downstairs. “My complex literally has four pharmacies,” she laughs. “You never have to travel across town for basic services.”

That Almaty warmth, however, stands out in the north. “I once frantically flagged down a Yandex driver who overshot my pickup spot, shouting 'I'm here! Don't go!' He slammed on the brakes and ran out, thinking he’d run over my foot! When he realized I was fine, he just laughed and said, ‘Yep, definitely not a local.’ Drivers constantly point out that I smile and chat too much—Astana locals tend to keep to themselves.”

Beyond the harsh climate and initial reservedness of the locals, Anel embraces the capital's unique landscape.

“People criticize Astana’s eclectic architecture, but I find it charming—a grand neoclassical facade with columns right next to a ultra-modern glass tower or high-tech loft. The City Court building near the EXPO complex is an absolute monolith. Plus, coming from Almaty, the traffic here is a breeze. The city feels fresh, sleek, and contemporary, right down to the modern apartment lobbies with smart access control. For now, Astana is home.”

Like many transplants, Laura relocated to Astana for a career opportunity as an executive assistant. Recalling her time in Almaty, she singles out its core perks: the mild climate, the mountains, and the warm-hearted locals. Hiking and outdoor getaways were the highlights of her lifestyle there. When comparing the two populations, she notes that Almaty residents are notably "more laid-back and relaxed," whereas Astana locals carry a more serious demeanor. "It comes with the territory—harsh weather breeds a tougher crowd," Laura reflects. Still, she’s discovered her own scenic routine in the capital: evening strolls along the Left Bank under a soft breeze, framed by modern high-rises and open roads. In fact, she embraces almost everything about Astana—save for its unforgiving winter.

The capital’s conveniences make Almaty's flaws stand out even more: gridlocked streets and dilapidated rental units charging absurd prices ("half a million tenge"). Yet, Laura doesn't hesitate: "If the opportunity to move back to Almaty comes up, I'd jump on it."

As for her ultimate verdict:
“Both cities hold a special place in my life. Astana is my hometown, so I’ll always love it regardless. But Almaty represents freedom—it’s dynamic, rich, and full of life. At the end of the day, Astana and Almaty are tied for top spot.”

Family and a career move brought him south, where he holds an executive position. For him, Almaty’s mountains, cozy side streets, and lush greenery are the top perks of living here—things you simply won't find in the capital. In Almaty, Sergey fell in love with the architecture, the vibrant vegetation, and the convenience of having everything within reach, backed by a comfortable infrastructure.

—“Unfortunately, there isn’t much I like about Astana. I do appreciate that the city gets good airflow, making the air relatively clean compared to Almaty,” Sergey says.

When it comes to Almaty’s drawbacks, he singles out environmental issues: heavy smog and vehicle emissions. In his words, there’s "nothing to breathe" in the city. Interestingly, what Sergey views as Astana's biggest flaw is something other interviewees praised as a highlight: its lack of a cohesive urban aesthetic or unified architectural style.

—“I plan to stay in Almaty; I have no intentions of moving back to Astana. Living in Almaty is just far more comfortable and cozy,” he concludes.

Our final interviewee is an Almaty native. Due to her job as a financial economist, Dinara lived in Astana for six months before eventually returning home to Almaty.

For her, the main difference lies in the people: Astana residents are more stern and reserved, whereas southerners are warm and open. However, she sees both pros and cons in this dynamic.

—“Astana locals are very direct, a bit standoffish, and don't engage easily. Asking for help or even getting directions can be a challenge. You notice it right away in the service industry, too,” Dinara recalls.
At the same time, she felt her legal rights were better protected in the capital. For instance, if a landlord failed to meet their contractual obligations, you could hold them accountable. “In Almaty, you’d never manage to prove you were right. But there, you just say, ‘I have a signed contract, we’ll handle this in court,’ and the issue is resolved on the spot. That’s fantastic,” Dinara shares from personal experience.
She loves everything about Almaty, calling it “the best city on earth.” Yet, like our other interviewees, she is deeply concerned about the air pollution:

—“Because the air is so clean in Astana, you actually want to spend more time outdoors, regardless of the weather. It feels like there’s more oxygen—you sleep better and your appetite improves. I would move [back] to Astana for that reason alone. On the other hand, the tap water quality in Almaty is miles ahead. During my time in Astana, I constantly missed our mountains, lush foliage, mild weather, and outdoor dining terraces. And the endless wind up north severely dries out your skin and lips; I couldn't survive without lip balm and scrubs,” Dinara explains.

When asked why the capital didn't win her over and what prompted her return home, Dinara admits that Astana “lacks a soul.” There is a touch of bitterness in her voice as she reflects:
—“It’s like moving into a brand-new apartment: everything looks sleek and modern, but there’s zero coziness. You end up trapped in a strict work-home loop, without those pleasant moments where you just want to sit back and unwind. The entire atmosphere is purely transactional. Outside of work, there’s nothing that truly inspires you.”