Tuesday, May 10, 2016

10 Reasons Tbilisi should be on every Digital Nomad's Radar

The Revolution has arrived- whether you call it digital nomadism, location independence, or just freedom, working from anywhere is a rapidly growing trend. 

Some of the most popular cities for digital nomads are in Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Lanta, Phuket), the USA (Austin, Miami, Knoxville), and Hong Kong, but Eastern Europe has largely been neglected. While some cities in the Balkans and the Baltics have gotten some love (Novi Sad, Serbia; Tallinn, Estonia), one place that is still largely under the radar is Tbilisi, Georgia. 

So what are the most important factors to consider in a short-term home? 
  • Cost of living
  • Good internet
  • Co-working spaces 
and of course the factors influencing general quality of life...
  • Weather
  • Safety
  • Pollution
  • Family-friendly (for some)


So where does Tbilisi fall on these metrics? 

1. Tbilisi has a low cost of living! Numbeo estimates that cost of living (excluding rent) is about 33% of the cost of living in NYC. Rent for a one bedroom apartment in the center of the city averages around $300-$400, and if you don't mind older construction, unrenovated, or somewhere more on the outskirts (but still on a metro line), you could push that down to $200-250. Prices on everyday items such as food and transportation are also very low- mainly because local salaries and locals' purchasing power is low- but you can live very comfortably on $800/month. 

2. Free wi-fi is abundant! There are dozens of coffee shops throughout the city, ranging from smoke-filled rooms with scratchy table cloths tucked into back alleys to trendy minimalist coffee bars to the newly opened Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on the main thoroughfare. 

3. Co-working spaces: this industry is still developing, but the concept is gaining popularity. There are formal co-working spaces, like the ones publicized on CospoT, and coffee shops that have become informal expat hubs with a very co-work-y environment, such as Prospero's and Newsroom Caffe

Prospero's Books

4. Travel around the region is easy and affordable. From the central bus station, Didube, you can find dirt cheap mini-buses and (slightly more comfortable and slightly more expensive) taxis going to every corner of the country. There is also train service to cities such as Batumi (5-6 hours west by train, on the Black Sea coast). In September 2016, Wizz Air is starting budget flights out of Kutaisi to several European destinations. You can already fly from Tbilisi to Istanbul for less than $150/RT!


5. It's the perfect size...the city isn't overcrowded, you can review locations that only locals know about, and be the first to write about trends, culture, and happenings. Instead of throwing another voice into an already saturated field of travel writers and bloggers (think: Paris, Chiang Mai, Prague, Split), you can be one of the few to observe and comment on new phenomena.

6. It's inspirational...this is the ideal place for a creative professional. Whether it's the enigmatic alphabet (although it's easier to learn than it looks), the hints of Soviet past appearing unexpectedly, or the twisting vines and ornate balconies of beautifully decaying back streets, Tbilisi will keep you in a constant state of wonder (and slight confusion). Your creative impulses will thrive. Being kept on your toes will keep your ideas from getting stale and tired.

Just look at that gorgeous script

7. There is room for growth. Entrepreneurs are on fertile ground here, as Georgia's economy continues to grow and new markets emerge.

8. The crime rate in Tbilisi is approximately 15% of New York City (for comparison: Bangkok is at 50%, Moscow at 48%, Kiev at 43%, and Copenhagen at 21%). It is a relatively safe place for families and people of all ages. (but of course, use the precautions you would take in any big city, as there is petty crime!)


9. Many foreigners can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to a year, so it's logistically accessible.


10. Then of course you have the simplest pleasures- beautiful land, generous, hospitable people, and delicious food




I'm not saying you have to drop everything right now and make your way to Georgia (although it's not a bad idea...), but if you are a digital nomad, or at all considering a location-independent lifestyle, Tbilisi should be on your radar. 


Want more digital nomadism? Check out:
 
https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/3b14tu/is_tbilisi_georgia_an_undiscovered_nomad_hotspot/

https://nomadlist.com/ 


    3 comments:

    1. I've been enjoying reading your blog from here in San Francisco, Samantha. I went to Georgia about 7 years ago and was fascinated. Still am and your blog is making me want to return.

      Didi Madloba,
      Chris

      ReplyDelete
    2. Interesting place, but you sort of have to learn Russian (or Georgian) to feel comfortable.

      ReplyDelete

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