{"id":42200,"date":"2020-09-30T13:28:46","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T18:28:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=42200"},"modified":"2021-03-02T09:52:21","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T14:52:21","slug":"republic-of-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/republic-of-georgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Republic of Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Republic of Georgia\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Georgia has a huge amount to offer expats and is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for options outside your home country. Situated in the Caucasus region, Georgia not only offers many benefits to any tourist or digital nomad but also provides easy access to both Europe and Asia. Georgia might just prove to be the most attractive expat destination in Eurasia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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History<\/b><\/h2>\n

Georgia has experienced a tumultuous history. First unified as a prosperous kingdom in the 11<\/span>th<\/span> century, it then fell to both Mongol and Timurid invasions in the 12<\/span>th<\/span>, late 13<\/span>th<\/span> and early 14<\/span>th<\/span> centuries. Before Russia annexed Georgia in the 19<\/span>th<\/span> century, Georgia had been struggling to retain its sovereignty against Ottoman and Iranian aggression. Georgia became part of the USSR in 1922 until it regained its independence in 1991. Civil war persisted from this time until 1995, during which time Abkhazia and South Ossetia became de facto independent thanks in large part to Russian support. <\/span><\/p>\n

The pro-Western Rose Revolution occurred in 2003, after which followed the Russo-Georgian War in 2008 over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But don\u2019t let any of this put you off: Georgia is a member of the Council of Europe and is currently pursuing both NATO and EU membership. And despite its turbulent history, Georgia is now an ideal location for expats for a long list of reasons, many of which are listed below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cost of living<\/b><\/h2>\n

The cost of living in Tbilisi, the most expensive city in the country, is 50-80% cheaper than Western European capitals, making this city one of the cheapest in the world. If you\u2019re thinking of renting for a short period of time, then Airbnb might be your best bet: by European standards, Georgia offers very cheap Airbnb prices. In fact, the Georgian cost of living is closer to what you\u2019ll find in South-East Asia. If you\u2019re looking to rent for a longer amount of time, then a new apartment in a central location will set you back only about USD400-600\/month. Or, if you\u2019re looking for something more permanent, you can buy your own home in central Tbilisi for as little as EU 15,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Infrastructure<\/b><\/h2>\n

Tbilisi provides a sound and very inexpensive metro, which might be your most convenient and cheapest form of public transport. Tbilisi also offers both a tram and bus network. Outside Tbilisi, the country is less well developed in terms of infrastructure, so bear this in mind. Taxis are reliable and affordable and might be your best bet for day trips if you\u2019re looking to travel further afield.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Driving<\/b><\/h2>\n

OECD data suggest that Georgia is the most dangerous country for road users. It\u2019s difficult to know whether this is an issue with drivers\u2019 abilities, the poor conditions of some of Georgia\u2019s roads (a 4-wheel drive is worth considering if you\u2019re looking to hire a car through more difficult terrain during your time in Georgia), or the condition of the cars themselves. Petrol is cheap by European standards and petrol stations are readily available throughout the country (facilities for checking the air pressure of your tyres, however, are not).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cuisine<\/b><\/h2>\n

With its fertile soils and an ideal range of microclimates, Georgia is able to offer some exceptional food and drink that will appeal to almost anyone\u2019s tastes, from fresh fruit and vegetables to traditional Georgian dishes. Georgian cuisine tends to enjoy a good reputation in the West, but nothing beats the real deal, be it <\/span>khinkali<\/span><\/i> (dumplings), <\/span>ajapsandali<\/span><\/i> (ratatouille), or <\/span>mtsvadi<\/span><\/i> (satay beef or lamb). And with both the most species of grape and the longest wine heritage of any country in the world, you needn\u2019t be a connoisseur to enjoy the benefits of Georgian viniculture. If wine isn\u2019t your poison of choice then there\u2019s always chacha, Georgia\u2019s very own pomace brandy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Safety<\/b><\/h2>\n

Georgia is only becoming safer and safer. It is the only country to be more than 20% more peaceful in 2019 than it was in 2008. Nowadays, Georgia ranks\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n