Moving to Tbilisi with Kids

Almost 2 years ago, I arrived at Tbilisi airport with my husband and two daughters after more than 24 hours in transit. We were so tired and overwhelmed with the children and luggage that we accepted a ride from a private taxi driver who swore that he ‘would use a meter’. It probably won’t surprise you that we paid 10x the regular price of a taxi from the airport to the center of town that day (or two weeks’ salary for most Georgian workers). That experience could have left a sour taste in our mouths, but we were just happy to get to our Air BnB and finally start our journey as expats in the country of Georgia.

I have to admit, the culture shock of moving here from Australia was more than I originally expected. I love the old Soviet architecture mixed in with the traditional Georgian style, but we weren’t here as tourists and the beauty of the Old Town is a world away from the weathered (or unfinished and abandoned) apartment blocks of the outer districts. The English-speaking expat community is much smaller than we anticipated, and can be hard to locate and tap into, especially if you have children. We have met several families who have lived in Tbilisi for years but they are not active on social media and do not send out the welcome party for everyone who lands here seeking a better future for themselves and their families. There are certainly many travellers that come here expecting a lower cost-of-living and a similar quality of life that they had in their home country, only to leave within a few months because reality didn’t match up. It hasn’t come easily for my family either, and at times the differences between my new life in Georgia and what we had in Australia can feel quite heavy and lonely. However, our network and our sense of being ‘at home’ in Tbilisi has grown steadily, not least because of the handful of entrepreneurial expats who have established businesses to cater to the English-speaking community (shoutout to the Open Door Center, Creative Connections and Tbilisi Little Munchkins). We have also met more Georgians since moving away from the center of town and have found the younger generation to be willing and capable to include English-speaking children in their services. It’s also one of the safest places to raise a family right now, in my opinion…

So, here’s my contribution to making life in Tbilisi better for expat families - the directory of businesses I wish I had had when we arrived two years ago. I hope you will support these businesses and in turn they will make your families happier and healthier, for however long you call this incredible city home.

All the best,

Laura