Moving to Balkanabat? (Ashgabat)

Dear Internations Friends:
This is my very first post and hopefully many more will come. Not only requesting help and advise, but also providing feedback to anyone I could help.

I work for an oil copmany and have been transferred to Turkmenistan, specifically to Balkanabat being this the oil and gas capital. Unfortunately, there is VERY little or no information at all regarding this city.
I am married with no children...just our cat. I was hoping to get some comments or information about Balkanabat from some of the forum members.
If possible, I would like to hear about any of these topics:
-Cost of living compared to Ashgabat
-Living conditions?
-Safety concerns?
-Housing types and quality?
-Expat community?

Any input is valuable, thanks for your help