Could you live here: Oymyakon, Siberia
Oymyakon is one of the coldest permanently inhabited places on Earth. This tiny village in eastern Siberia has a population of around 500 people and is famous for winter temperatures that routinely drop below -50°F (-45°C). The coldest officially recorded temperature there was approximately -71°F (-57°C). During winter, cars are often left running all day because engines can freeze solid if turned off.
Life in Oymyakon revolves around surviving the climate. The ground remains permanently frozen (permafrost), plumbing is unreliable, and many outhouses are still used because buried pipes freeze. In December and January, daylight lasts only a few hours. Schools usually stay open unless temperatures fall below about -60°F.
Road access exists via the Kolyma Highway—sometimes called the “Road of Bones”—but winter storms and ice can make travel dangerous or impossible. Flights into the region are limited, and supply deliveries can be delayed for days or weeks. Fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce and expensive; traditional diets rely heavily on meat, fish, dairy, and preserved foods.
Internet and cell service exist but can be inconsistent, especially during severe weather. Power outages become serious emergencies when temperatures are cold enough to kill exposed skin within minutes. Frostbite is a constant risk, and even simple daily tasks—walking to the store, starting a vehicle, taking out trash—require planning and specialized cold-weather gear.
Despite the brutal environment, residents describe a strong sense of toughness and community. Crime is low, the scenery is stunning, and the northern lights are common during winter months. But isolation, darkness, and extreme cold dominate everyday life in a way most people have never experienced.
Could you live here?
Previous HROT installments:
1. Could you live here: Supai, Arizona
2. Could you live here: Kerguelen Islands
3. Could you live here: La Rinconada, Peru (Andes Mountains)
4. Could you live here: Tristan da Cunha
Oymyakon is one of the coldest permanently inhabited places on Earth. This tiny village in eastern Siberia has a population of around 500 people and is famous for winter temperatures that routinely drop below -50°F (-45°C). The coldest officially recorded temperature there was approximately -71°F (-57°C). During winter, cars are often left running all day because engines can freeze solid if turned off.
Life in Oymyakon revolves around surviving the climate. The ground remains permanently frozen (permafrost), plumbing is unreliable, and many outhouses are still used because buried pipes freeze. In December and January, daylight lasts only a few hours. Schools usually stay open unless temperatures fall below about -60°F.
Road access exists via the Kolyma Highway—sometimes called the “Road of Bones”—but winter storms and ice can make travel dangerous or impossible. Flights into the region are limited, and supply deliveries can be delayed for days or weeks. Fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce and expensive; traditional diets rely heavily on meat, fish, dairy, and preserved foods.
Internet and cell service exist but can be inconsistent, especially during severe weather. Power outages become serious emergencies when temperatures are cold enough to kill exposed skin within minutes. Frostbite is a constant risk, and even simple daily tasks—walking to the store, starting a vehicle, taking out trash—require planning and specialized cold-weather gear.
Despite the brutal environment, residents describe a strong sense of toughness and community. Crime is low, the scenery is stunning, and the northern lights are common during winter months. But isolation, darkness, and extreme cold dominate everyday life in a way most people have never experienced.
Could you live here?
Previous HROT installments:
1. Could you live here: Supai, Arizona
2. Could you live here: Kerguelen Islands
3. Could you live here: La Rinconada, Peru (Andes Mountains)
4. Could you live here: Tristan da Cunha
