Do you like working remotely? Come to Stepanavan!

This is a story about one of the most idyllic cities in northern Armenia – Stepanavan, which got a new lease of life when people started working remotely. It was a perfect chance for top professionals to live closer to nature and feel in harmony with it.    

Husband and wife Ruben and Arevik have recently relocated to Stepanavan and settled there. They are working on various projects to spur the city’s rebirth and make it prosper in full swing. Here's how they feel about their decision to move to Stepanavan, in their own words.

Arevik was born and raised in Stepanavan but they had never thought that one day they would want to live there as a couple. Ruben and Arevik just wished to experience living in different cities and see the country while they were working from home. But after the coronavirus travel restrictions were imposed, they had to stay in Stepanavan longer than planned. It was a good chance for them to find out more about the city.  

The heroes of our story were absolutely fascinated by Stepanavan’s nature, harmony of life and of course, the huge potential of the young people. Ruben and Arevik also realized that the city needs them badly, so they made up their minds to settle there. They bought a house and fully committed themselves to building a better future for the city.  

Ruben is a programmer by profession, so he runs free computer programming courses in the city library for young people. Arevik is a painter and a comic book artist. She seeks to discover and unfold the hidden potential of the young people there since she believes they are the agents of change.  

Video by Repat Riarch

Our next hero is Armen who is going to relocate to Stepanavan in the foreseeable future after he visits and tours the city with his family. He is a project manager and is currently working from home too. Now he is busy renovating his house in Stepanavan.  

Interestingly, both Armen and our couple – Ruben and Arevik highlighted nature and local residents among other things that made them become attached to the city.  

Nature is breathtaking there. People are compassionate and supportive. All kids are amazing. But children in Stapanavan seem to be different that's why they have a special love for them. Nor is it a huge distance away from Yerevan. If you have some business there to take care of, you can go and do it. If you wish to hang out with friends in a café, you can go to Gyumri.  

Armen also mentioned that it is a safe place to live in, which is no less important.

Yet, the city faces many issues. Its great potential for growth is lost.  

And why is it so? The inhabitants have only been abandoning the city for the last couple of decades. No investments have been made. Nothing has been done to develop the city. There is a desperate need for technical and human resources. The city is faced with an insufficient number of large employers and firms which in its turn affects employment opportunities. All of this tarnishes the overall image of the city and it loses its vibrancy. Young people are not provided with adequate learning opportunities. Nor can they find a proper job to support themselves financially. They are in need of guidance and support to choose the right career path which will enable them to work freelance or remotely instead of leaving their home town. The heroes of our blog also highlighted that the city’s social life is jeopardized which adversely impacts the tourism industry. There are no places of entertainment, no major events are held unlike other cities to bolster a cheerful ambience.  

Arevik believes that the city has a potential to turn into a sports hub. The roads should be reconstructed, cycle tracks should be installed as the locals have a passion for cycling. Stepanavan has a rich cultural history which should be reinforced and made available to younger generations as a means to develop the city and make its image more vivid.    

What should be done to attract entrepreneurs to Stepanavan to reinvigorate the business sector there? Armen thinks it will help redress the balance between work and rest. Those entrepreneurs that value their spare time can definitely find that harmony in Stepanavan. They can work productively there and relish nature at the same time. Stepanavan boasts a rich history. Yet, it is consigned to oblivion. The city that has been visited and toured by millions of people still has too much to say.

Arevik believes that certain steps should be taken to develop wellness tourism, ecotourism as well as gastro-tourism in Stepanavan. In the past there were many factories which means people can get started with their own service or manufacturing business - from cheese manufacturing to hospitality and achieve great success. To do that, they should visit Stepanavan and see what opportunities it holds for them so that they can develop the city and make it work in their best interest.

Arevik, Ruben and Armen have no clue about how long they are going to stay in Stepanavan. Yet, they have many projects in mind to ensure the sustainable development of the city. What they are doing may seem a mere drop in the ocean now but it is sure to yield its fruitful results in the years to come.  

Have you ever thought of relocating to secondary cities of Armenia?