Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | The Pros & Cons of Living In This Central Asian Capital
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is a unique capital city of central asia. Have you ever thought about visiting or living here? Today we will discuss the pros and cons of living in Bishkek, this Russian, Turkic city that stands alone on the steppe.
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#kyrgyzstan #bishkek #centralasia
So glad you made this man! I will be doing a study abroad for six months there in 2026 and currently am learning Russian! Can’t wait!
Born and raised in Bishkek up until about 12 years of age, and then we immigrated to Toronto, Canada. I can attest - Bishkek winters are not that bad! :) Try Toronto winters for 6 months out of the year, its brutal.
I lived in Bishkek for 3 years. Loved it! I can relate to almost everything you said. Very nice review! For me the major downside was the unbearable air pollution in winter. In my opinion you missed one very important point about this awesome city: The mountains are only 45 min away from the center!! Ala Archa and Alamedin are unbelievably beautiful valleys. Moreover, Ratsek Hut in Ala Archa is something like a mountaineering Mecca with peaks like Corona :-) Uchitel, Free Korea, Boks, Teke Tor, etc...
Thank you
@@erturtemirbaev5207 hii bro I'm going to Bishkek next month I need a flat
I’d love to get a bush plane up in those mountains. My friend is an airline pilot in Kg. I want to scare the socks off of him.
@TheMrBussy, I can tell you even more. I lived in Bishkek (unfortunately at the time the Kyrgyz people decide to call it "Pishpek" I lived there for 11 years since my birth. My relatives (tatar) always were against renaming the city into Pishpek. The Kyrgyz people know that it is a very shameful name for a city, and they know so too.
Bishkek is a very beautiful city. The people there are very nice. The weather there is very lovely. We welcome you Our cities in our country
I'm in Bishkek now
Expensive or cheap
I like cause peaceful
How is the weather in the beginning of June?
Hi hello 👋 I am from India , can you please tell me if Kyrgyz people are Muslims or not ?
Because on internet it says majority of people there are muslims but when I see video of Uzbekistan , Khazakistan & Kyrgyzstan , I don't see many Muslims 🥲
Why ?
@@whatyoudoin3125yes , they are. 73%. And they want to radicalize but Russian regime keeps them tight.
@@whatyoudoin3125 It is a mixture of religions there; Muslim (majority Sunni), Christian (Russian Orthodox), other (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i)
Thanks a lot for the feedback! 😊🎉
Good job bro,, From Kenya new subscriber
Kyrgyzstan is one of the best beautiful country in the the world , there people are so rooted to their land and culture . I have lived my best days of life in bishkek,it's like my second home . Everything what you told is correct but I want to add something that in night as a foreigner it's sometimes dangerous in the street bcoz some drunk or bad local in night or infact in day can beat & rob you anytime this is what is the most disturbing thing . But I like kyrgyz people they are so humble. Bishkek has best bars, cafe , restaurant, malls , Kyrgyz girls are beautiful. Ya tebia lublu bishkek ❤️
Asia iz not so scary for a European,as Asian in Europe,you have racism there
Hi, in four weeks i will visit Bishkek for about ten days. I am turkish and is it true, that they have a lot of respect to turkish people, even the police, because of the good relation between turkey and the turkic countries? Thanks
@@janoschp2865 yes, we treat the Turkish people very well,we respect you, welcome 👍
@@титантиранович-х8ф Thank you my friend 👍
Im from the Caribbean. I can't wait to blend in! Traveling there soon.
Are you just going on holiday or actually moving there for work?
@@hloekilebanda348 Traveling but may move there as well. Kind of nervous but EXCITED!
How ya gonna blend in if you're black ?
@@AfriPrincess411 hey did already move how is your experience.
@@joeblow9126 racist much?
Great info bro, sounds like an interesting video!
totally underrated country.
Dude let's just replace the word Cheap with reasonable or Affordable prices !!! If we keep on saying to them your country is cheap they'll raise all their prices and it ain't good after all as some Egyptian and Syrian friends told me... Trust me. I'm an Arab traveler from Bahrain and I've seen Bosnia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran raising their prices because of such words we say about these countries!!!!!
Also it seems kind of rude. Affordable is better.
@@videofan1010 Indeed it is an amazing & affordable country.. I was there in Bishkek just last August. If you're talking about their local food; it's delicious and nutrious though if you go to any Cafe or Resto around Bishkek mall and city centers food is Turkish in style and prices are like Istanbul high.
Secondly, the clothes and stuff that they produce locally or imported from Uzbekistan is just affordable, though Intl. Brands have the same prices anywhere.. and some are more expensive than Dubai or Bahrain... One last thing about the Kyrgyz people is that they are really kind, content and minding themselves.. You wouldn't find alot of them sticking their noses or asking you for money like some other countries. This Turkic nation is very peace loving and prideful in what they believe or do. MANAS IS THEIR NATIONAL HERO AFTERALL 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you 🙏 Actually, it is cheap compare to other countries, but it’s not as cheap as for foreigners because locals (is me) take a salary based on our prices, so isn’t so cheap for us:(
@@faisalr.3536 Thank you brother for your fair review!
Agreed
Thanks
Cheers mate!
Loved Bishkek and Isakul. Visited in June 2019, a few months before the nightmare of covid started. Bishkek and suburbs of Dallas are quite similar in peace and tranquility.
An intersting comparison!
Where is Dallas?
@@титантиранович-х8ф Dallas, Texas, USA.
Don‘t forget to mention the dry air. I‘ve been in Bishkek for 5 times, and every time on the second week onwards I get a throat ache because not having enough moist damaged my throat, and bacteria are easier to stick. Besides that, I fell in love in that place, and the people, to the point of even considering marrying and living there. 😊
This is awesome, thank you for sharing. All you said is so accurate, great city and people, the food is so so good! About the corrupt road patrol- nailed it (some things never change 😭 ) .
I lived there 10 years. I liked it a lot. I don’t think I’ll retire there though. Winter is way to harsh and my wife is from Mindanao. It’s the Philippines for this guy. If I find myself back in Bishkek it will be because I got dumped and Kyrgyzstan is all I can afford and still be somewhat happy😂
So, how's the experience having a Filipino wife?😂
@@roronoa_kenshin No women are exactly alike, just like no men are exactly alike.
Brilliant video, very informative and filled with actual useful information, thanks.
I just left Kyrgyzstan yesterday. I love it
Where are you from?
I'm gonna cry if I leave
@@erturtemirbaev5207 Pensacola, Florida 🇺🇸
@@drewjitzoo4378go figure
It’s an amazing place to travel that’s for sure! I’d live there if there was a lot of opportunities for careers for me. Travelling Kyrgyzstan is an amazing adventure. Thanks for the video!
The winter is not as bad as he makes it out to be. The temperature regime is about the same as Boston, and the snow cover comes and goes throughout the winter. Seldom snows more than 4" deep. There is very little wind & I assume it is the mountains that keep the winds out. The cops are on the take, so I don't drive. If you hire a local driver, they know the cops and seldom have to pay anything.
How do you find accommodation in bishkek??
Very interesting! It sounds like a place I'd love to visit. And I can read Cyrillic!
Corruption was so true. I was stopped by the police at a square in Bishkek because I definitely looked a foreign Asian face to them. They wanted to check my passport pouch in front of me and my friend, and when they gave it back to me I noticed that some of my USDs had gone, but not my Euros though. It was in 2013-4. There is still a lot of things the government has to do for foreigners and tourists. Kyrgyzstan is really a beautiful and friendly country if not the corruptive system.
I've never had any issues with the police. Just gotta blend in even as a foreigner.
the same happened to me in 2009. was stopped by 2 cops while strolling in bishkek (city centre) and asked for my pasport. when they got it, start to moan about the hard life in kyrgyzstan and if i as a foreign tourist from a rich country cant be more helpfull to their country. are they think, we don't have to work for our money in our countres or what? anyway, i gave them 10 dollars and off i went. was not nice. but who cares. could be worse.
Thank you for the travelling in our country. Hope you enjoyed it.
Hii I'm going to Bishkek next month I need a flat
@@sainadhreddy1762 Hi. Welcome!
You can easily find a flat for around 250$ per month in Bishkek.
Very informative, thank you
Great info. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful country i want to go there
looks lovely!
@Tales From The Road i live here and the winter starts off like kinda ok but then gets cold. You can also find nothing and almost everything is off brand
Gorgeous video 🤩
Hi there
After Russia-Ukraine war, many things has changed. Many Russian fled to Kyrgyzstan. The prices in general and rent prices have raised sharply and a taxi for short distance cost few dollars. People also don't know English which makes interaction hard. People are only friendly toward western tourists. There are scammers. Short roads and lots of traffic jam.
i think 60 km per hour is not too bad, especially if roads not perfect, and/or mountanous terrains
Love living in Bishkek
I have traveled to most of the former Soviet republics and I think Bishkek was the best place to practice Russian because the locals are usually very friendly
Also less chance of your kidneys being stolen by a gopnick
you doing absoulute great work you deserve more views
Working on it!
Who would I contact for a good monthly rental here looking at staying for 6 to 8 months in bishkek
Had the same experience in Armenia driving a rental car with Georgian plates. Made me a sitting duck, got pulled over four times in one day. After the first bribe, I just hid all my money out of view and pretended to not understand and not speak a word of Armenian and the police at stops #2-4 eventually just gave up out of frustration. Small victories…
nice one!
Confirm all facts as a citizen of Kyrgyzstan
Hi hello 👋 I am from India , can you please tell me if Kyrgyz people are Muslims or not ?
Because on internet it says majority of people there are muslims but when I see video of Uzbekistan , Khazakistan & Kyrgyzstan , I don't see many Muslims 🥲
Why ?
@@whatyoudoin3125they r Muslims,but their life style is like Russian, western country ... don't expect everyone like induan muslims
Thanks for the great and up to date info, really appreciate it
I've lived there when I was young and I can say it was one of my best childhood memories 💓 🤩
Thanks for the amazing video, I am planning to travel to Bishkek soon to practise my Russian just I want to ask you about dating? it is easy to date with kyrkiz girls?🙂
Yes, you can. But try to talk to girls who works for NGO. They are feminists, they speak English. Duck them all. It’s pretty easy to get them if you are white. 😂
Bishkek my favourite city in the 🌎
I enjoyed my time there. Beautiful place and relatively unspoiled. Women were beautiful as well.
Hi, in four weeks i will visit Bishkek for about ten days. I am turkish and is it true, that they have a lot of respect to turkish people, even the police, because of the good relation between turkey and the turkic countries? Thanks man
Hi hello 👋 I am from India , can you please tell me if Kyrgyz people are Muslims or not ?
Because on internet it says majority of people there are muslims but when I see video of Uzbekistan , Khazakistan & Kyrgyzstan , I don't see many Muslims 🥲
Why ?
@@whatyoudoin3125 Hi, no worries, everything will be fine. I saw some tourists from India in KG. Yes, Muslim country, but everyone is welcome there. They are not arab muslims, they are turcic muslims. Arab muslims are always full covered. When you arrive at airport Manas in Bishkek, your hotel should send a taxi for you, because many scammers at airport. Visit their mountains and lakes. One contra point is, about 80-90% of their people don't know English. So if you have a russian speaker friend, it would help you. Don't be surprised, when they don't know English even at airport, in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls. Most common language there is russian, number two is kyrgyz, number three is turkish. Have a good time there 👍🏻
Love to settle in this country
Regarding fitting in like a local - definitely easier if you aren't dark-skinned (i.e. if you're white).
Ok the salary is low....
But similar to the philpippines
And it's twice the price of kyrgezstan
I never felt in danger
Or corrupt cops etc
I love the place
Hi Bitcoin sky rocket above $50k. Buying Cryptocurrencies is lucrative they're a huge help down the road to earn.
Really? Surprised
@@uxaines8910 where are you george?
Нас кыргызов очень малое количество, но мы очень воинственный и храбрый народ, мы потомки великого Манаса ☝ и за свою родину будем сражаться до конца, гостей и друзей уважаем, каждый кыргыз уступит самое почётное место в своём доме другу или же гостю ☺
How did you stay for a long time, which visa?
same thing with speed limit i experienced in albania on my way to tirana
Hi from KYRGYZSTAN. Thenks for your video!
Hi hello 👋 I am from India , can you please tell me if Kyrgyz people are Muslims or not ?
Because on internet it says majority of people there are muslims but when I see video of Uzbekistan , Khazakistan & Kyrgyzstan , I don't see many Muslims 🥲
Why ?
Hello!! Thank you for the amazing video. I would like to know if its easy to get a visa to stay long term in Bishkek. Thank you in advance
Yes. Where are you from?
@@erturtemirbaev5207 hello ertur. I'm from France
long stay, I have no idea unfortuantely
Trying to map out a central Asia trip right now. Since you are headed to Uzbekistan soon yourself, do you know if you can exit the country at the Dostyk border as a US citizen? I know you can only fly in, but I want to enter Uzbekistan via land if I can.
I honestly have no idea man
Normally you should be able to cross the border at Dostuk. However, I am not sure, if you can cross it at the moment because of Corona. You should check that. You could contact the CBT office in Osh (cbtkyrgyzstan.kg/cbt-osh/). This post here describes the situation during "normal" times: caravanistan.com/border-crossings/uzbekistan/#uzbekistan-%e2%80%93-kyrgyzstan-border-crossings
Yes you can , I just researched as I’m going next month ! That border crossing is open now 😊
How’s the visa situation? Can I come long term on a tourist visa, or do you need a business visa? I don’t have a degree to teach English and idk if you need a bunch of paperwork to get a long term visa. Curious if you can just Indefinitely renew a tourist visa here.
It depends what country you from. For most of the western countries 90 day no visa stay than you just need to reenter Kyrgyzstan. Easy
Great ❤️
Weather is not brutal
I plan to drive around Issylkul next month. How much should I expect those bribes to cost?
probably no more than 10$ each time it happens. Hide your money and show an empty wallet.
Did you travel to kant while there?
Going to Bishkek for a wedding soon. Slightly worried about the Taliban/Afgan thing going on now, and large amounts of refugees entering Kyrgyzstan from the south. In general, it appears to be safe in Bishkek (from 2019 reviews), other than the usual pickpocket warning. Are there any dangers you felt there due to terrorism, Taliban, kidnapping, political unrest? Any safety concerns (or warnings) you may have over these past few months?
I just came from Kyrgyzstan, did not feel any danger 😊
Это у тажиков проблемы там с афганом у нас нет такой броблемы терроризм похищения о чем ты вообще говоришь
I know your comment is old but look at a map and you can see Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan are quite far from each other. Also, the Taliban could care less about what goes on outside of the country, they mainly want to oppress their own people, they don’t care about what goes on in Kyrgyzstan. Why would there be political unrest? Nobody even cares about what goes on in Afghanistan sadly, if anything, nobody in Kyrgyzstan would want Afghan refugees or anything to do with Afghans. Lastly, you mention refugees as if they are dangerous? The US and CAN alone took millions of refugees, my dad worked with the military to bring in Afghan refugees, they are humans like you and me why would they have anything to do with any of the political agenda that the Taliban would have?
Want personalized travel consulting for you next trip to Kyrgyzstan or anywhere else in the world? Book me here: www.tastesfromtheroad.com/about-5
I loved Bishkek. Gets small fast.
BISHKEK IN KYRGYZSTAN❤❤❤
Sounds similar to visiting Russia in 2008. Locals prefer not to drive. It’s dangerous & petrol is expensive. Surprisingly, many our generation does understand a little in English and like to speak it as well.
I'm so confused how people can make so little yet look quite well off
Chirghisia. Saluti ad Aizamhal from Italia.
Gujjrat uttamnagar shaktivihar birlamandir lotus temple tilknagar kukdaresort bombaypicnicspot😂😢😮😅
World’s isn't cheap mate, it's YOU who've been paying shitload of money for basic amenities.
Indeed ,he is paying 300$/month for lodging ,and saying cheap ...what an irony . I am here in India 🇮🇳 ,In Newdelhi,paying 120$/month for lodging and I feel indian capital is looking not cheap
What are job opportunities like?
In Kyrgyzstan??🤣🤣
Bishkek is not cheap,i disagree from video maker ...... Bishkek is good weathr overall .......
Good weather compared to where??
Russia?
Hi there
Hie bro
I from Kyrgyzstan live in America now
Hi hello 👋 I am from India , can you please tell me if Kyrgyz people are Muslims or not ?
Because on internet it says majority of people there are muslims but when I see video of Uzbekistan , Khazakistan & Kyrgyzstan , I don't see many Muslims 🥲
Why ?
The summer is worse than winter.
Yes, if you not keep speed limit, they will try make money traffic police but not so terrible
How high were the fines on your roadtrip?
I paid 45$ total.
@@TalesFromTheRoad okay thanks! still crazy it works that way, but probably worth paying if it allows you to go on a roadtrip
@@TalesFromTheRoad $45 for 3 times? That's quite reasonable considering you would have to pay $2xx for speeding less than 10km/h in Australia.
You have been to the southern part of Kyrgyzstan?
I didn't have the chance to visit
How can I go to the southern part from beshkik ?
@@muhrad8690 by plane or a car. The best option is renting a car.
❤
Do the taxi driver discusses prices
you have to always ask before
There are apps for that
Yandex sets the price like Uber.
I enjoyed watching this! Reading about Russians fleeing here to get away from Putin led me here.
So many places in the world to visit. Are there any black people there? Black people from Africa, at least?
I saw some Black people in Bishkek
Да есть можешь не сомневаться но мало
Have you met Valentina shevchenko
Nope! Should I?
@@TalesFromTheRoad oh for sure a ufc champ with some of the most title defenses she lives there
@@TalesFromTheRoad if you got a little interview asking about life there it would do really well I think
@@TalesFromTheRoad her sister is in the ufc as well and she is also a pilot
Bad weather? What??? 😄
About the bribe. In west countries, "tips" on everything was shocking to me too
is weed legal?
Haha definitely not
It's 3 years in jail for a very little amount
Are you okay? 😄
So why are you paying 400USDs if the locals pay half that?because it would be next to impossible to get local price because locals arent stupid.
No we don't pay half that, rent is the same for everyone, it just means he had a nice apartment. But it's not the case anymore because of the war a lot of russians came in and inflated the market but that's another thing
@@australianpainter42069 so what is the price now, say for 2 bedroom app? thanks
How much bribe money should I bring?
$100
Brosef thanks for the video but how much are the bribes??
Around 4$ to 30$
Do they accept American 1 dollar bills for tips or bribes?
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Can you get rid of the aweful music in your video?
Сейчас нету такой подход полиция боится денег брать.
One of your pros is not a pro for me 😅 I don't think there are too many people of African descent in the city, so I don't think I would blend as well as you claim. If I was European, Asian, or Eurasian, maybe.
@@ynosnonac7311 - I have lived here for almost 5 months and can say you're absolutely wrong about that. Not having a history due to lack of exposure doesn't mean people aren't prejudice or discriminatory toward Black people. I've had enough negative experiences here to know that there are plenty of people who specifically do things to me be I'm a black woman and my presence is uncommon here.
@@Arri7979 sorry about your experience, i could just suggest you to avoid some places where the less cultured people live/go to and you should be fine
Where are people... Why no one is there.
And did you realize a lot of condoms in the near towns, in Bishkek, especially if you go to parks, people having sex in the edge of streets
You ne dead if it happens in a muslim country
Oh,my god, its a bad joke,awful..
@@beautyweapon4394 Kyrgyzstan worst than atheist society
@@beautyweapon4394 3:40
How much should you bribe the cops?
Nowadays young people speak English. At least many speak English. I'd say broken English
Where do you recommend to find an apartment on the local market?
How much in usd did you pay for the police each time you got caught haha?
Every street has 4 different names - and the taxi drivers may not agree with you and your 'app'. good luck
English is rarely and randomly used. Prices have gone up since the Russians have come to the region trying to avoid the war.
There is NO MEXICAN in town ... mexicanish is the best you will get (none of it is spicy) think Taco Bell but sans the beans
as Yankee expat - you will NOT be staying here 6 months - they ain't granting status that long for y'all. not a bit of it. try it and you will pay fines, face some unpleasant detention time and of course deportation.
YANKEE expats do NOT blend it - everybody knows you a foreigner - your volume, your accent, your attire, your skin color - YOU DON'T / WON'T blend in.
Marshytkas have been banned in the city since this video - but the traffic is indeed horrible - everybody drives like they are trying to play GTA
Many of the Western Franchises are NOT in the country; McDonalds, BurgerKing, Pizza Hut, Jamba Juice, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Chipotle - simply not here and buying clothes ... if you are the typical BIG American - you will be out of luck - most locals are thin, skinny, in shape. They ain't doin the 3x, 4x, 5x that is prevalent in current Fat America
The prices are mostly affordable compared to 'merica - but certain things are nearly on par with the States - ICEd Lattes have become popular and the price keeps creeping up.
Nearly EVERY travel guide will recommend you go to OSH Baazar ..... I wouldn't - you are likely to get tossled and lose maybe your wallet, your passport, your sunglasses and of course your phone - also, they know you a tourist - so you will face higher prices than the locals do. If you go - go with a local and zip all your pockets.
signed local expat - here, many many months.
Krykistan usbakistan n tajaskistan which country is good for settle down or Albania which person we can meet for my paper work n visa if you know some one pls send me whatssup no thanking you
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan!
Don't say ,Kriki,Uzbak 😅, it means very bad words.
@@beautyweapon4394 ok it fine but never give reply which country is good
@@hamdanshaikh9067 this countries don't need immigrants, they have many problems, no jobs, many central asians work in russia. Also foreigners get scammed, and get jailed, if you give money, about $100K they will let you go. Local criminals take foreigners businesses by force, especially in Kyrgyzstan. So its dangerous
I nearly died there after being scamed by the mafia and locked in jail ^^ but i love the country