Oral, Kazakhstan

Capital City

With a population of just 32,176, Oral is a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Kazakhstan's major cities. The ethnic composition skews heavily Kazakh at 71%, with Russians making up a distant second at 25%. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Oral is the capital of the West Kazakhstan Region. And the climate is brutally cold in winter, with long, harsh seasons that are more reminiscent of Siberia than Europe, despite the city's location north of the 51st parallel.

This small, provincial outpost is unlikely to appeal to most expats seeking an exciting new life in Kazakhstan. Oral is best suited for hardy souls who can withstand the frigid weather and red tape, and don't mind a more homogenous, traditional Kazakh cultural experience.