Georgia is on the rise
Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians began to move more often to beautiful, hospitable and close in every sense Georgia even before the global events of 2022. In addition to the pleasant southern climate and the presence of the sea, there are several reasons: visa-free regime for a year, the easiest procedure for starting a business, low taxes, fairly simple ways to obtain a residence permit (for example, when investing in real estate from $100 000, or if the annual turnover of your company exceeds 50 000 lari, about $18,500), the ability to drive your car and move freely in the country, affordable real estate and relatively low cost of living. In addition, Tbilisi and Batumi have been actively built up, developed, and changed their architectural appearance for the better in recent years (although the period of the coronavirus pandemic slowed down many projects).
After the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in February 2022, and then after the announcement of partial mobilization in Russia, the flow of immigrants to the southern country increased several times. According to Reuters, the number of Russians remaining in Georgia in November of this year is about 112,000 people. On the one hand, this provoked a record 10% economic recovery, but, on the other hand, the presence of such a large group that needs to settle in a new place pushed up prices, primarily for rent, but not only. As journalist Nikolay Levshits writes in his telegram channel about Georgia, Tbilisi and Batumi have ceased to be inexpensive cities, as it was before 2019.
Rental housing
The main item of expenditure, if you do not have your own housing, is rent. For November 2022, a one-bedroom apartment ("eurodvushka") by the sea, but not in the center of Batumi costs from $500 per month. The option in the central areas will cost $ 700-800 and above.
However, it should be borne in mind that the rates may rise with the onset of the high season, which in Batumi lasts from mid-May to mid-October. Often, the owners of the apartment avoid signing a contract for a period longer than six months, so as not to miss the opportunity to raise the fee, which puts the tenant in a vulnerable position. Of course, the cost of renting for a long period is much less than for a short period (from $ 70 to $ 120 per day for a one-bedroom apartment), but with high demand for housing by the sea next season, an increase in the rate for long-term rent is likely. As the locals say, the rental prices in late spring and summer will be equal to those in Tbilisi.
In Tbilisi, renting a one-bedroom apartment will cost at least $600 per month, with two bedrooms starting from $900. Premium level apartments are offered for $2000-4000. According to TBC Bank, rental rates in the Georgian capital increased by 120% over the year.
Utility bills
In Georgia, utilities include: electricity, gas, water, Internet and television, cleaning of the house territory. Please note that it is necessary to pay separately to the provider of each service. You can do this through the bank's online application or in cash through Paybox street terminals. In both cases, it will be necessary to enter subscriber numbers, which should be found out in advance from the owner of the property.
A family of 3 people living in a one-bedroom apartment in Batumi ("eurodvushka") in October paid 120 lari ($44) for electricity, gas and water, 25 lari ($9) for television and 25 lari ($25) for Internet.9). In total – 170 lari ($63). With the onset of the cool season, gas costs will increase. As a rule, since November, and sometimes since the end of October, people start turning on gas boilers in their apartments (there is no central heating here).
In Batumi, not all houses are gasified. If your gas is not carried out, then in winter you will have to heat the room using a split system, which will cost about 100 lari ($ 37) per month. Sometimes these expenses are divided in half between the landlord and the tenant, that is, each contributes 50 lari ($18.5).
Most of the old apartments in Batumi have gas radiators installed ("karma"). It's not as convenient as boilers, but it's more efficient and cheaper than air conditioners.
In Tbilisi, utility bills excluding Internet and television for a family of 3 people living in a one-bedroom apartment will amount to 100-150 lari ($37-56). In summer, electricity is more expensive due to air conditioning, and in winter, gas is more expensive due to heating.
Transportation costs
Batumi is a small city where it is easy to move around without a car. Short distances are pleasant to overcome with your feet, but you should be patient, since local motorists do not have the habit of letting pedestrians pass. The situation is not the best with an inclusive space for disabled people and mothers with strollers.
Public transport in the city will cost 0.5 lari. You can, if necessary, use the cheap Yandex.Taxi». For example, a trip from Makhinjauri to the center costs 6-7 lari ($2-2.5) in the afternoon and 10 lari ($3.7) in the evening.
The fee for an intercity bus ticket from Batumi to Tbilisi (380 km between the cities) is 34-40 lari (about $15).
Car rental in Batumi will cost 80-100 lari ($30-37) per day, in Tbilisi 130 lari ($50).
Gasoline in Georgia is quite expensive - 2.5-3 lari per liter (about $1).
In Tbilisi, a metro card, on which a passenger puts a deposit, costs 5 lari ($ 1.9). For the initial trip in the subway, 1 GEL ($ 0.4) will be debited from the card account, then for 1.5 hours all ground and underground transport on the card will be free. It is convenient and economical.
It should also be noted that in Georgia there are pleasant prices for cars, 30-50% less than in Russia, Ukraine or other countries.
Schools and kindergartens
Russian-speaking children in Georgia can go to study in free Georgian schools with a Russian-speaking sector or in private paid Russian schools. Today, according to the Minister of Education Mikhail Chkhenkeli, there are 11 Russian-speaking schools and 45 Russian-speaking sectors throughout the country. However, it is necessary to make a remark – there are practically no places in the Russian-speaking sectors at the moment.
Studying at a private school in Russian will cost about $100 per month. Educational services in large Russian schools in Georgia cost from $6000 per year.
If the family budget allows, you can send your child to an international school: British, American, French, Finnish, German. Payment per year ranges from $3,500 to $20,000.
It is impossible to get into a state kindergarten without a residence permit, but there are many good private kindergartens open in Georgia. Their cost varies. Approximately you need to focus on $ 200-300 per month.Medical services
The most rational way to reduce the cost of medical services in Georgia is to get insurance. It covers (depending on the program) up to 80% of the cost of treatment, including medications, and also covers dentistry. A policy for a year for one person can be bought for 40-120 lari ($15-44), for a family from 180 lari ($67).
Here are the prices for some medical services for those who do not have a policy:
Visit to the doctor – 50 lari ($18.5)
Dentist consultation – 50 GEL ($18.5)
Sanitation of the oral cavity – 100 GEL ($37)
MRI – 350 lari ($130)
Food products
Food prices in Georgia have increased significantly over the past 2-3 years. Meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, dried fruits, nuts cost the same as in Russia or more expensive, and bread, fish, fresh fruits, vegetables are cheaper. It is more profitable to buy cereals by weight, and not in packaged form.
The lowest prices for basic products, according to the khachapuri index, were recorded in Batumi in October 2022 (ingredients for one khachapuri cost 6.18 lari here). The calculation of the prime cost of the cult dish of Georgian cuisine is regularly carried out by the International School of Economics (ISET). The index shows the dynamics of inflation. In October, compared to September, it increased by 2.6%, and for the year from September 2021 to September 2022 by 38%.
Here are approximate prices for food products in a large supermarket in Batumi:
Milk – 5 lari per liter ($1,9, 112 rubles)
Eggs – 4 lari per dozen ($1.5 90 rubles)
Yogurt – 2 lari ($0.7, 45 rubles)
Matsoni – 2.7 lari ($1, 60 rubles)
Butter 200 g – 11 lari ($4, 245 rubles)
Bread – 1-2 lari ($0.4- 0.7, 22-44 rubles), lavash – 1 lari ($0.4, 22 rubles)
Beef – 33 lari per kg ($12, 730 rubles)
Pork - 19 lari per kg ($7,425 rubles)
Potatoes – 1,9 lari per kg ($0,7, 43 rubles)
Tomatoes – 5,9 lari ($2,132 rubles)
Cucumbers – 2.5 lari ($, 156 rubles)
In Tbilisi, the cost of vegetables, fruits and other products in the markets and in street shops almost equaled the prices instores. However, according to the online publication 34 Travel, the best way to get excellent quality products, as well as get to know the locals and the local cuisine better, is to visit small private bakeries, have your own milkman and meat seller in shops not far from home. Regular customers, with whom friendly relations have developed, are treated with trepidation here.
In Batumi, according to the new inhabitants of the city, products from private street vendors are cheaper and better. This is especially true for fish. So, Turkish sea bass, dorado or local Black Sea lamb can be purchased at the fish market and asked to cook in nearby restaurants – it will be cheaper than buying in a supermarket and frying or baking at home.
Food expenses in Georgia, according to rough approximate calculations, are $200-300 per person per month.
Mobile communication
The most expensive package with unlimited Internet, calls and SMS on the website of the Georgian operator Silknet is offered for 55 lari ($ 20) per month. The cheapest tariff (150 minutes, 300 MB of Internet and 1000 SMS) is 8 lari ($3). Unlimited Internet costs 32 lari ($12) per month.
Recreation and entertainment
A visit to the gym in Batumi costs 100-120 lari ($37-45) per month. Going together to one of the restaurants of local cuisine is almost the same. A bottle of chacha – 50-60 lari ($19-22). A mug of coffee in the cafe is 10 lari ($3.7). By the way, over the past year, many new and diverse establishments with international cuisine have opened in Georgia.
Summary
According to estimates of Russians who moved to Georgia, the cost of living per person, taking into account the rent of a modest apartment, ranges from $ 900-1000. A family with a child should focus on the amount of $1800-2000 and above when calculating the budget.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material:
Sergey Tsukanov, real estate expert Kolos Residence (Batumi)
Mindia Sanikidze, Managing Director Broker Ajara (Batumi)
Dina Parisskaya, manager DB Home Group (Tbilisi)
Sources: Reuters, TBC, 34 Travel, Nikolay Levshits telegram channel, Trip Review YouTube channel
Photos: depositphotos.com
