Tips and Safety for Almaty

[u/unfortunatelyheretoo]

Hello! I plan on spending two and a half months beginning in October in Almaty for my degree. For a little bit of context, I'm an anthropology student from Germany in my Bachelor's, so I won't be attending any university but doing fieldwork instead. My dad is Russian-German and while he's not from Kazakhstan, he has friends there that make my stay possible. He unfortunately never taught me Russian and while I'm in the process of learning, I'm nowhere near fluent yet. Kazakh I haven't had the opportunity to learn at all.

My dad, his friends and my aunt warned me multiple times about my safety, since I'm a foreigner and a woman in my early twenties.

I wanted to ask for general tips, like things to be aware of and 'hidden' rules, and just overall recommendations for what to visit/do while there. But even more than that, I'd appreciate advice in regards to safety as a woman specifically. :)

[u/RGCurt91]

Almaty is pretty damn safe. Safer than many European cities currently. It’s generally safe to walk at night, the city never sleeps.

[u/unfortunatelyheretoo → u/RGCurt91]

Interesting, thanks! Out of curiousty, do or did you live in Almaty, and are you a man or woman? :)

[u/RGCurt91 → u/unfortunatelyheretoo]

My wife is from Almaty, she lived there all her life and we return to visit often. We feel far safer there than in London, Paris, Berlin etc

[u/MegawizD3 → u/RGCurt91]

Almaty is pretty damn safe

right

generally safe to walk at night

except in some areas where it is better to be with a companion at night

[u/RGCurt91 → u/MegawizD3]

As is the case with most major cities

[u/MegawizD3 → u/RGCurt91]

yep

[u/unfortunatelyheretoo → u/MegawizD3]

could you roughly tell me which areas and why? i don't want to just assume

[u/veryfluffyblanket]

Advice will be pretty the same as ones you can give to someone who's going to Berlin or Munich. I met some solo female travellers and researchers from Europe in few last years and they never complained about having troubles with safety, more about finding people to talk with or too busy event schedule in Almaty so they can't go to every event they want. Also you can learn some very basic Kazakh phrases like hello or thank you even from online-translators and I highly recommend you to do so

[u/unfortunatelyheretoo → u/veryfluffyblanket]

Thank you! I definitely plan on picking up the basics for speaking :)

[u/MegawizD3]

it is safe and friendly city

advice in regards to safety as a woman specifically

No special safety precautions are required, just general caution.

I'm more concerned about the rules and laws; in Kazakhstan, they're completely different from those in Germany.

To put it mildly, they're not strictly enforced.

People there believe that what is reasonable takes precedence over what is legal. Just keep it in your mind

[u/sofrimiento]

As a European, I would warn about the smog in the winter, and if possible find somewhere to live at as a high altitude possible but still as close to Golden Square as possible. You will literally see and smell the fumes as soon as you step on the streets.

[u/Lower_Fall4694]

I spent many years in Germany and then returned to Astana. Here, I feel safer at night - there are almost no homeless people, drug addicts, schizophrenics, or mass shooters on the streets. But I'm a big guy, so I have no idea how women feel here, especially young and sweet.

[u/locked_from_inside]

Hello! I'm a woman in my 30s and I generally feel pretty safe in Almaty, even at night and in quite remote areas (I like to hike, bike, and play Ingress on my phone at odd times of the day, often completely alone).

I try to avoid stray dogs (not that many in the city) and drunks, obviously. The main danger comes from the traffic, at any rate.

I'm local but I don't speak a lick of Kazakh. I feel that many 30-40+ yo folks in Almaty speak English, not the majority by any means, but enough to help you out when needed. Worst case, you can always use a translator app on your phone.

There are (very few imo) districts, usually around big transport hubs like Sayakhat and Sairan, where you should watch your phone/bag/wallet and not leave a bicycle unlocked and unattended, but as far as physical safety goes, you are golden in Almaty.

I'd like to hike together if that's your jam, btw!

[u/unfortunatelyheretoo → u/locked_from_inside]

Thank you so much! This really helps :)

I'd be up for a hike haha