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Getting around Nur-Sultan in winter?
honestly the bus system is pretty solid even in winter, they keep the routes plowed and running on time mostly. the astana LRT is still not fully operational as of now so dont count on that, but the buses cover the whole city for like 90 tenge a ride. just download the 2GIS app before u go, it works offline and shows bus schedules in real time, saves u standing in the cold waiting. taxis through Yandex Go are cheap too, maybe 1000-1500 tenge for a trip across town, and drivers always show up quick even in snowstorms
The bus system handles winter well, but you'll want to layer up for those walks to the stop. The main challenge is that sidewalks can get icy and snow piles up fast, so good boots with grip are non-negotiable. For longer trips, Yandex Go is your best bet, and you can even schedule a ride in advance for early mornings when it's dark and cold. The 2GIS app is essential, but also grab the Astana Bus app for real-time arrival updates specific to the bus routes.
yeah you'll be fine without a car, just be prepared for the cold. the bus system is reliable but honestly the real game changer is using the underground pedestrian crossings near the major intersections, they keep u out of the wind and snow for a bit. also the shopping malls like Keruen and Khan Shatyr are connected by warm walkways so you can hop between them without stepping outside
Almaty neighborhoods for a two-month stay?
if u want something quieter but still walkable check out the area around microdistrict 5 or 6 in alatau district. it's a bit further from the center but the bus 46 and 63 connect u to abay ave in 20 mins. there's a decent cafe called coffee with a view on satpaev that does good lattes and has a nice balcony. rent is cheaper and u get more space for two months
fwiw I'd pick the area around Dostyk and Abay if u want a good mix of cafes and metro access. There's a solid cluster of coffee spots near the corner of Zheltoksan and Satpaev that stay open late. The green line bus runs straight down Abay and gets u to Arbat or the park in like 15 mins. Rent might be a bit higher than say Samal-2 or Orbita but u save on transit time and actually have stuff to walk to.
honestly i'd look at the area around the intersection of baytursynov and timiryazev. it's not super touristy but has a good rhythm for a longer stay. there's a quiet courtyard cafe called 'the book' with decent wifi and solid filter coffee, plus the 99 bus runs straight down timiryazev to al-Farabi ave in under 15 min. the rent's a bit cheaper than the central spots and you're close to the botanical garden if u need a walk