Moving to the Country of Georgia as a Person of Color: Real Costs, Neighborhoods, and Daily Life


Georgia is a small, historically homogenous nation in the Caucasus, but like most countries, its population has become more diverse over time. Here’s a clear picture so you know what to expect:

1. Black and African Diaspora Communities

  • Georgia does have a small Black population, including:

    • Students from African nations studying in Tbilisi and Batumi

    • Diplomats and NGO workers

    • Entrepreneurs, teachers, and digital nomads

  • While the community is small, it is present, especially in Tbilisi.

2. South Asian and Middle Eastern Communities

There are larger groups from:

  • India

  • Iran

  • Turkey

  • Pakistan

  • Arab countries

These communities are quite visible in cities and are part of daily life.

3. Southeast Asian and East Asian Residents

  • Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese nationals also live and work in Georgia, often in hospitality or business.

4. How Locals React

Georgia is generally safe for foreigners, including people of color. Most experiences reported by travelers and expats are positive, especially in:

  • Tbilisi

  • Batumi

  • Kutaisi

However, like anywhere with limited diversity:

  • You may get curious stares, especially outside major cities.

  • Overt hostility is rare, but ignorance can happen.

  • Tourists and retirees typically feel very safe.

5. Growing Digital Nomad & Expat Diversity

Georgia’s visa-friendly policies, low cost of living, and digital nomad popularity have brought in a far more diverse group of residents in the last 5–7 years. So yes — diversity is increasing.

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Cost of living for retirees

Overall

  • Georgia is widely cited as an affordable place to retire, especially compared to many Western countries. ExpatDen+3Affordable Retirement Abroad+3AES International+3

  • One index shows that in April 2025 the cost-of-living index for Tbilisi was ~35.3 and for Batumi ~30.4 (where 100 would be a world average) — indicating quite low cost levels. Wise

  • A sample budget for a single person (expat/retiree) might be USD ~$800–1,500/month depending on lifestyle and location. ExpatDen+1

Specifics & city comparisons

  • In Tbilisi: According to one source, rental market for a city-center apartment is around USD $670-1,200/month; outside center USD $400-800/month. armenian-lawyer.com

  • In Batumi: Rentals are generally lower. Example: studios and smaller apartments might rent for USD $300-900/month in some cases. armenian-lawyer.com+1

  • In Kutaisi: Even lower cost housing reported (USD $200-500/month for typical units) in one article. armenian-lawyer.com+1

  • Everyday costs (food, groceries, transport) in Georgia are modest. For example in the Wise cost-of-living article: a meal in an inexpensive restaurant ~ 25 GEL (Georgian Lari) in many cases. Wise

Implications for retirees

  • If you retire on a fixed pension, Georgia gives you a real chance to live comfortably, especially if you pick moderate housing and moderate lifestyle.

  • You’ll want to budget for healthcare (private insurance or out-of-pocket) and perhaps some travel. Some private care is affordable. AES International

  • Choosing neighborhood & city matters: capital city will cost more than smaller cities/coastal towns.


Residency / Visa Requirements

Entry & stay

Types of residence permits & requirements

  • Temporary residence permit: Commonly issued for 6-12 months initially, can then be extended. ExpatHub.GE (Tbilisi / Batumi, Georgia)+1

  • One pathway: Property-based residence permit: owning property above a certain value in Georgia can help you apply. One guide says purchasing non-agricultural real estate (e.g., apartment) of at least USD 100,000 value gives eligibility for a property-based residence permit. Nomad Capitalist+1

  • Another pathway: Business/investment permit (e.g., investing USD 300,000 in real estate or company) leads to a 5-year permit and then potential permanent residency. Nomad Capitalist

  • Additional requirements: valid passport, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, sometimes health insurance. Foyer Global Health+1

Tax & income considerations

  • Foreign-source passive income (e.g., pension, dividends from abroad) may be tax-exempt or favorably treated in Georgia. PB Services Georgia

  • But you should always check the current tax/residency rules for your country of origin and for Georgia.

For retirees: key takeaways

  • You can likely move and live in Georgia at relatively modest cost; but if you want stable long-term residency you should consider one of the permit paths (property purchase, investment) or ensure you can renew your permit.

  • Do your homework with a local immigration lawyer or specialist for the current year.


Neighborhoods with strong international/expat communities

Here are suggestions by city for best neighborhoods/neighborhoods with more international/ex-pat presence.

1) Tbilisi (capital)

  • Top recommended neighborhoods for foreign residents: Vake, Saburtalo, and Vera. ExpatDen+1

  • Vake is described as the most affluent, leafy, green, with many cafés, international schools and good amenities. ExpatHub.GE (Tbilisi / Batumi, Georgia)+1

  • Saburtalo provides good value and also many expats, modern apartments, and international facilities. ExpatHub.GE (Tbilisi / Batumi, Georgia)+1

  • These neighborhoods give you relatively better access to international services (schools, cafés), communities of other expats, and reasonably easy integration.

  • So, for a retiree seeking community, comfort and easier social integration, Vake or Saburtalo would be strong choices.

2) Batumi (coastal city)

  • Batumi is smaller than Tbilisi and more seasonal (tourist/coastal) but still has an international/ex-pat community. ExpatHub.GE (Tbilisi / Batumi, Georgia)+1

  • In Batumi some neighborhoods along the Old Town / New Boulevard / Coastal area are preferred by foreign residents. ExpatHub.GE (Tbilisi / Batumi, Georgia)+1

  • Among these, the seaside apartment strips and coastal sections will attract more foreigners/retirees because of views and lifestyle.

  • If you choose Batumi for retirement, consider being near the seaside boulevard for comfort and easier access to cafés, restaurants and expat-friendly things.

3) Kutaisi (smaller city)

  • Kutaisi is less discussed in the guides as having big established expatriate neighborhoods, but it is cited as a cheaper, calmer option and suitable for those seeking a quieter retirement. Mbany Real Estate

  • Because it is less developed in terms of large international services than Tbilisi or Batumi, you may need to be a bit more self-directed in finding community, international schools (if needed), etc.

  • If I were to pick a neighborhood here: look for the city center or suburbs with newer apartments and talk to local expat forums for the best street/neighborhood.


Summary & Suggestions

  • Yes — Georgia offers a very affordable lifestyle for retirees, especially when compared to many Western countries.

  • For residency: the procedures are relatively straightforward but you’ll need to choose your path (property, investment, etc) and ensure you meet the financial/immigration requirements.

  • For communities: If you want the most international/expat-friendly neighborhoods: in Tbilisi go for Vake or Saburtalo; in Batumi aim for the coastal boulevard/Old Town; in Kutaisi you’ll have fewer “established” clusters but can still find good neighborhoods.

  • My personal recommendation: For a retired expat from abroad, based on your interests (travel, relaxed lifestyle, good services), I’d lean toward Tbilisi (Vake) or Batumi (coastal) — pick one and maybe rent short-term first to test it out before committing.


This article was researched and written by Sandy Ingram, the publisher of the Budget Retirement Options channel, where she shares how to travel the world on less than $1,500 a month. 

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