Tashkent, Uzbekistan Report of what it's like to live there - 06/11/07

Personal Experiences from Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan 06/11/07

Background:

1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

Croatia, Germany, Thailand, Phillipines.

View All Answers


2. How long have you lived here?

Two years.

View All Answers


3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?

Wife is posted here.

View All Answers


4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:

5 hours to/from Frankfurt.

View All Answers


Housing, Groceries & Food:

1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

Houses, mansions. Commute time - you can get anywhere in town in 20 minutes.

View All Answers


2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Costs are going up but for a westerner, you can do OK here. But be very careful of counterfeits and imitations....

View All Answers


3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

Contact lenses solution, sun-creme.

View All Answers


4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

Limited and most menus are in Russian.

View All Answers


Daily Life:

1. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Very reasonable.

View All Answers


2. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

Very limited.

View All Answers


3. What English-language religious services are available locally?

View All Answers


4. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?

View All Answers


5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

View All Answers


6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

A lot, there is zero setup for physical disabilities. The streets are a mess as well as the sidewalks and most apartment buildings do not have operational elevators. There are some, but not a lot.

View All Answers


Transportation:

1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?

Right.

View All Answers


2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

Very affordable.

View All Answers


3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

Hard question. If it is very new, you have to bring all of the repair parts. they run out of diesel 2 times a year and fuel is dirty. Better to buy a second hand car here.

View All Answers


Phone & Internet:

1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

View All Answers


2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

Tri-band.

View All Answers


3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?

Skpye.

View All Answers


Pets:

1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?

Limited.

View All Answers


Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:

1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

No.

View All Answers


2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

View All Answers


Health & Safety:

1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?

Air pollution good, do not drink the water, wash all fruits, vegetables, eggs.

View All Answers


2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Not really, the 'state' mostly leaves diplomats alone.

View All Answers


3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

See my previous comment on the Tashkent International Medical Clinic (www.tashclinic.org).

View All Answers


4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

Hot, very dry in spring, summer early fall. Bad winter and subzero weather. Roads are not cleared.

View All Answers


Schools & Children:

1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

Tashkent International School is the only way to go.

View All Answers


2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

Limited.

View All Answers


3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

View All Answers


Expat Life:

1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

A few thousand.

View All Answers


2. Morale among expats:

It depends on the country and the mood of the government.

View All Answers


3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

Everything revolves around the TIS.

View All Answers


4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

Yes, as long as the Tashkent International Medical Clinic remains here - you can make it. There is only one place where the international community and diplomats goes to !! And it is extremely reasonable: Tashkent International Medical Clinic (www.tashclinic.org). Trust me once you have watched them medically evac someone - you will be impressed.

View All Answers


5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

I do not believe so.

View All Answers


6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

well, you are in Central Asia.....

View All Answers


7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

View All Answers


8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

View All Answers


9. Can you save money?

Yes.

View All Answers


Words of Wisdom:

1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

It depends on who you work for...

View All Answers


2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

110 volt stuff.

View All Answers


3. But don't forget your:

Sunscreen.

View All Answers


4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

View All Answers


5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

View All Answers


6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:

View All Answers


7. Do you have any other comments?

View All Answers


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More