Tashkent, Uzbekistan Report of what it's like to live there - 07/05/15
Personal Experiences from Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. I've lived in Europe and West Africa.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Europe - it's about 9 hours or so, depending on connections. Flights out of Tashkent are very limited, with Turkish Air and Aeroflot being the only real options if flying West. As a result, flights are expensive and it isn't that easy to leave the country for a weekend. Flights also tend to arrive in the middle of the night and the airport experience is not a pleasant one. In fact, the airport is considered one of the worst in the world and everyone has their stories to tell of just how long it took them to get out of the airport.
3. How long have you lived here?
Four years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Educator.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartments and houses, which often have interesting layouts or decor. Get used to sparkles. There isn't much traffic in Tashkent, so commuting isn't really a problem.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Local products are generally reasonably priced and not expensive. Local fruits and vegetables are amazing and cheap, particularly at the bazaars. Anything imported is expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Cheese, except that it wouldn't survive being shipped.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The range of restaurants is fairly limited and none of them stand out as being spectacular. Cuisines are mostly limited to Uzbek, Russian, Italian, Korean, Turkish, and Georgian. This is not a city with a huge restaurant scene. No international fast food chains are available. There is a local coffee chain, Bon, which is decent. One can be sure to run into other ex-pats while there.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None that I had a problem with.
Daily Life:
1. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available and affordable, at about US$15-20/day.
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?
Don't use them.
3. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
There isn't that much English, so knowing Russian is really helpful.
4. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. The roads are full of potholes, as are the sidewalks. Many sidewalks are very slippery when it snows, as well.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Public transport in Tashkent is safe and affordable, although most expats don't take it. Any car here is a taxi, so that is a cheap way to get around.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
There is internet available, but none of it is high-speed. It is also expensive and many of of the so-called unlimited packages are not unlimited. Nonetheless, it is improving.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
They're available here.
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?
Not really.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No - there are police everywhere. It's a strange benefit of a police state.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The Tashkent International Clinic offers good quality basic medical care, with English speaking doctors. Anything else gets evacuated.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
It seemed fine, particularly because there aren't that many cars in Tashkent.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Summers are very hot, with temperatures over 40C. Spring and fall are nice, but much too short, to the point of sometimes being non-existent. Winter always has some snow, but isn't that cold, although it will occasionally go down to -20C.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Tashkent International School is good and runs all three programs of the IB. There is also a British school, although it only currently goes through about year 7.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
TIS will make accommodations. Contact the school directly.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, through TIS.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The size of the community is fairly small. Morale is ok - it depends on who you talk to.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Eating out and hanging out with friends. Options are limited. This is a 'make your own fun' kind of place.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Excellent for families. Socially, it's quite limiting for singles and couples.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, it's not culturally accepted.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Traveling around the country, hiking, and enjoying the wonderful produce.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
All the Silk Road cities. The Savitsky Museum is definitely a worth a visit as well. In Tashkent, the Ilkhom Theatre puts on surprisingly edgy productions and it's strange that it hasn't been shut down yet.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Carpets, suzanis, ceramics, art, wood carvings, etc. There are lots of things to buy.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The interesting history and culture.
9. Can you save money?
Yes, definitely.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
It is really difficult to have people visit here. Due to the registration rules, guests often have to stay in hotels. Money is also complicated here. All money must be declared upon entering the country and one may not take out more than one entered with. Dealing with these restrictions and making sure not to lose the customs declaration form requires more planning than elsewhere. The black market exchange rate is also significantly better than the official rate. Most people work out their own money exchange schemes to take advantage of it.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, it's an interesting and often overlooked part of the world.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Idea that countries ending in 'stan are all a terrible place to live in. This is a very interesting part of the world, with a long history and unique culture.
