Indoor smoking is present in some adult settings, but not equally everywhere. Law vibe is more formal in public systems, while daily life can feel highly negotiated.
Minimum budget: rural $1000/mo, urban $1000/mo. Medical insurance: $700/yr.
Auto: A Russian license alone is not a good plan; use an IDP, English translation, and most visitors should hire a car with driver, security-aware operator. Self-drive exists but is limited, roughly $60-120/day for Corolla, Elantra, SUV class, with deposits and road-risk terms high. Benin, Niger, Cameroon, Chad borders are not practical rental-car crossings for ordinary travelers.
Smoking: Indoor smoking is present in some adult settings, but not equally everywhere.
Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is variable: institutions can be formal, while daily life often runs through local judgment, negotiation, and context.