As Bhvana has mentioned, check my earlier post (perhaps too, consider replying to this comment on the other article rather than to this one here).
What you will require in clothing (especially during winter) will depend very much on where you will be based.
As for basic items, you need to consider that many items that you can get from your supermarket in the west may well not be available here (especially if you are not in either Almaty or Astana), not just certain brands, but actual products.
Substitutes may be available, but don't bet on them being the equivalent (whether it be pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or other items you may take for granted).
Pricing of many items too may be an eye-opener. The staples are quite cheap (in comparison to the west), but the quality may not be what you are used to.
If you are not a committed meat-eater, then that's perhaps good, as the quality here (unless you pay through the nose), may not be up to what you're used to (butchery here is not what it should be). Perhaps too, unless you enjoy your meat extremely well done, avoid ordering it in a restaurant (there are some restaurants in the bigger western-style hotels that can do it properly and source the meat carefully, but it is not the rule).
