What is it like to move to and live in Yerevan?
Yerevan, Armenia’s capital with its rich history, is not the first place that comes to mind when people think about moving abroad. But, it’s an interesting city that has plenty to offer.
And that is why I’m very excited to do this interview with Steve who has been living in Armenia for a while now and currently calls Yerevan home.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad, and information about the city and country the expat now lives in.
Living in Yerevan
Name: Stephen (Steve) Rohan
Age: 42
Hometown: Colchester, England
His Story:
”I grew up in southeast England not far from London.
After a 15-year career in finance, I left everything I knew behind and started a new chapter working as an English teacher in China. I lived in China for six years and left in 2021 due to the situation with covid.
I then spent two years as a full-time digital nomad working as a freelance travel writer and living in Italy, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Turkey, before settling in Armenia.”
Why Did You Move to Yerevan?
”I traveled to Yerevan and Armenia on the 1st of January 2023 to visit my 62nd country. I had only planned to stay for a week or so but fell in love with the city straight away thanks to its laid-back vibe, and I made many friends here almost immediately.
As someone who loves the great outdoors, Yerevan is perfectly situated for exploring the wider Caucasus and some stunning nature spots. Tbilisi in Georgia is just a 6-hour drive from the city.
There is a real cafe culture here and lots of wonderful bars, pubs, and live music venues for evenings and weekends.”
What Do You Like About Living in Yerevan?
”One of my favorite things about living in Yerevan is that it is not claustrophobic like other big cities such as London or Beijing.
The city is packed with wide, tree-lined streets, there are parks everywhere, and lots of wonderful streetside cafes for working or people-watching.
Yerevan also makes a great base for exploring Armenia’s gorgeous mountainous countryside and wilderness.
Overall, it just has a really laid-back and unpretentious air which you don’t find in many world capitals. I’m not usually a city person, but Yerevan feels a lot more provincial and is somewhere I’m quite happy to live.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Yerevan?
”The thing I dislike the most about Yerevan is the prices.
I was surprised to find out that things like rent and eating out are almost the same as back home in the UK.
This is due in large part to many Russians moving to Yerevan to escape the war. Prices have started to come down somewhat though since I first arrived in January 2023.
The winters can also be very cold, with lots of rain and snow from February until March. I may escape to somewhere warm for the winter and return again next spring, which is an incredible time to be in Yerevan.”
Is Yerevan Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yerevan is an incredibly safe place to live with very low crime levels.
It’s safe to walk the streets day or night and is similar to my experience living in China in that respect.
The only thing to really be aware of is the traffic, which can be a bit crazy, and stray dogs, which are mostly harmless.
It’s worth noting that Armenia is basically surrounded by hostile countries (Azerbaijan and Turkey) and is worried about future attacks. Whether that will happen, no one knows at the moment. The city still feels completely safe and it hasn’t stopped me from living here or traveling around the country.”
Is Yerevan Expensive as a Place to Live?
”Compared to other places in the region, Yerevan is relatively expensive.
As mentioned above, many Russians came here to escape the war and as a result prices on Airbnb, hotels, restaurants, etc. have inflated.
I’ve managed to find an apartment for 200,000 drams ($500) per month, but it’s just a one-room, self-contained place.
My money definitely went further in Eastern Europe and Turkey. Expect to pay around $5 for a coffee or pint of beer and $15 for a meal in a mid-range restaurant.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Yerevan?
”Yerevan is packed with some excellent and quirky cafes, so one of my favorite things to do is to pick one to work in and grab a bite to eat and a coffee.
I also like climbing the Cascade (a series of steps up a steep hill) to watch the sunset and see the gorgeous views of the imposing Mount Ararat.
I also frequently take day trips to nearby places such as Lake Sevan, Garni, or Khor Virap for stunning views.”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Yerevan?
”I have a few regular spots I like to hang out at. During the day The Green Bean next to Cascade is a great place for coffee and lunch.
Mirzoyan Library is a quirky cafe close to Republic Square that’s part cafe, part library, and part photo gallery (the owner previously worked for National Geographic).
In the evening I like to visit my friend’s bar, RocknRolla, or one of the other great pubs across the city such as Beatles, 26 Irish Pub, or Vertigo (with a huge selection of craft beers).”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Yerevan?
”There is a large and varied expat community in Yerevan thanks to the large Armenian diaspora across the world, and also a large Russian community (Armenia was once part of the USSR).
I have friends here from England, the USA, Canada, Russia, Iran, and more, and in most cafes and bars you’ll find travelers and expats from all over.”
Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Yerevan?
”When looking for accommodation try local websites like List.am or Facebook groups like Expats in Armenia or Traveling to Armenia.
Most Airbnbs are a rip-off, but there are some reasonably priced apartments to be had in the city center if you know where to look.
The locals are super friendly, so if you can make friends, which shouldn’t be hard, it will make life easier. Many people here speak English and Russian, so it hasn’t been too difficult with the language for me.
I’d recommend downloading the GG app for taxis as it will save a fortune, and Glovo for food and shopping deliveries.”
Did You Need a Visa to Go to Armenia?
”Armenia is an easy country to visit for many nationalities. Citizens of the UK, EU, USA, and Australia can enter visa-free for up to 180 days.
One of the best things about this is that it resets every time you leave, so for me as a British passport holder, it means I just have to do a quick visa run to Georgia every six months.
And because I work remotely, that is all I need.
For other passport holders or further visa information, check with your local Armenian embassy.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Yerevan?
”Climbing the Cascade is a must (though if you are less mobile, there are in fact escalators inside which will take you up to the top).
The views of the city and Mount Ararat are stunning, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset.
About Steve Rohan
Steve is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, enjoys the digital nomad life on the road, and has lived in Armenia, Croatia, China, and Hong Kong.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of Europe and Asia by train, bus, and boat.
He writes for the adventure travel blog thetripgoeson.com and has also written for a variety of other publications and blogs. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC, and was featured in the documentary “Scariest Places in the World”.
About Yerevan
Yerevan is Armenia’s vibrant capital, where ancient history meets modern living.
It’s one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, located along the Hrazdan River.
The city is home to approximately 1.1 million people, making it the most populous city in Armenia.
One of its notable features is the well-organized public transport system, making traveling around the city easy.
What appeals to many expats and travelers is the city’s architecture, predominantly built with the distinctive local pink tuff stone. Against the backdrop of the iconic Mount Ararat, these structures create a visually captivating experience.
Beyond aesthetics, Yerevan offers a rich culinary scene, ranging from traditional Armenian delicacies to international cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Yerevan is a good base to explore the rest of the country. And although tourism is growing in Armenia, it doesn’t receive nearly as many visitors as more well-known tourist destinations, giving life here a more authentic feeling.
Also Read:
- Things to Do Before You Move Abroad – A Checklist
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
- How to Access Blocked Websites Abroad
Like this article about living in Yerevan? Pin it!
Yerevan is incredibly under rated, and is one of my favorite cities in the world. You didn’t touch on the music scene there, which is incredible. You can’t walk down the street without seeing people carrying instruments. There is a live music in many restaurants, and there are 3 US style jazz clubs downtown. There are also multiple concert venues sprinkled throughout the city and many nights you have choices on what to see. I think I paid $3 to see the Armenian national symphony there a couple of years ago. I’m amazed that Tbilisi gets so much love from the digital nomad community, but you rarely here anything about neighboring Yerevan. I can’t wait to go back.