Why did Yura and Milena choose Georgia for their business and life?

Dossier

Yuri and Milena are a young couple, aged 28 and 23 respectively. Until March 2019, their home was in Moscow, although Yuri himself was born in Irkutsk and Milena was born in Orenburg. Yuri has a degree in history, political science and international relations, and before moving to Georgia, he worked for the Russian Ministry of Construction, working on projects to improve urban infrastructure. Milena, on the other hand, has been outsourcing SMM project management and is simultaneously studying in her second year of a master's degree program in Integrated Communications at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Business idea

The idea of creating their own business began to mature in 2017-2018, when the couple launched the youth ethno-tourism initiative “Routes of Russia” with the support of Rosmolodezh. These excursion projects targeted young bloggers and travelers through unfamiliar and remote corners of the country. Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique culture and traditions of Russia's indigenous peoples.

The desire for change

In the fall of 2018, the couple had a desire to start a new phase of life and fulfill their ambitions in another country. This dream grew stronger until an event occurred that had a significant impact on their decision. They were invited to the launch of a project dedicated to creating an author travel platform, which inspired them to design their own tour. This plan soon transformed into the idea of creating an immersive travel experience.

Georgia's Choice

Southern Georgia became an ideal option for them to realize their ambitious plans, and in March 2019 they finally moved there. It is noteworthy that Yuri currently lives in Georgia permanently, while Milena divides her time between Moscow and Tbilisi.

Opinion of the neighborhood

Despite the obvious positive aspects of their new choice, there were perplexities and questions among their loved ones. Those who knew about Yuri's plans for public service and the fact that Milena was studying at one of the most prestigious universities in Russia were particularly surprised. Their entourage was somewhat wary of their decision: many asked why they should change their established lives when both careers could have developed significantly.

Arguments in favor of change

Before making such an important decision, they had made serious preparations and collected many arguments to justify their choice. However, this did not stop them from striving for change. The couple faced internal doubts, which sometimes proved more difficult than external pressures.

• At a young age and with some freedom, it's worth trying new things;
• Fatigue from the old way of life appears from time to time;
• There is a desire to pursue something you truly enjoy and put your heart into it, instead of spending your energies on a day job.

Attractiveness of Georgia

When they talked about the reasons for their choice of Georgia, they highlighted a few key points:

• It is a southern country with a mild and warm climate;Most of the year here allows you to enjoy good weather, and the winter months in Tbilisi are characterized by mild temperatures that rarely fall below freezing.
• Georgia is attractive because of its affordability;Here you can easily adapt to the new life, because there are all modern conveniences and various opportunities for leisure.

Thus, their move was not only a step towards achieving their own happiness, but also the beginning of a new, adventurous stage of life, which promises many discoveries and new experiences.

In Tbilisi, living conditions, including the cost of housing, public transportation and meals in restaurants, are noticeably more favorable than in Moscow. Interestingly, food prices in supermarkets are almost the same in both cities. Tbilisi is a Russian-speaking city, which creates comfortable living conditions even for those who do not speak Georgian. Although sometimes you can meet people who speak English, in most cases Russian-speaking residents easily find a common language.

We sometimes translate the documents we sign, including rental contracts, into Russian, which ensures that we have bilingual versions. Problems with inscriptions in stores or on public transportation are easily solved through verbal communication, so the key point in Georgia becomespeople skillswhich avoids misunderstandings.

Tourism and attractiveness of Georgia

Georgia is also a country with a high potential for tourist attraction. In the last three years, it has become a popular destination for tourists from Russia. We have focused our activities specifically on tourist services.

• Although after the cessation of direct flights in early July, the number of tourists dropped slightly.
• In February and March, when we were planning the move, the situation was very favorable.

Unlike our experience in Russia, where we were engaged exclusively in hired labor, in Georgia we decided to register individual entrepreneurship. Our opinion of those who are successfully developing business in Russia is very positive.are certainly the real heroes of entrepreneurship. At the moment we only have an individual enterprise registered in Russia, through which we form groups for tours and pay 6% tax plus acquiring commission.

Registration of individual entrepreneurship

We also familiarized ourselves with the process of registering individual entrepreneurship in Georgia. For this purpose it is necessary to:

• Visit a house of justice where a variety of administrative services are provided.
• You will only need a passport and a small fee of approximately 500 rubles.

After that, you can receive a certificate of registration of an IE the very next day. The tax policy in this country is very loyal: the tax for individual entrepreneurs is only 1%. In general, doing business in Georgia is much easier than in Russia, thanks to the followingliberal tax system.

Competition and opportunities

At the state level, there is no practice of frequent inspections and pressure on entrepreneurs, which facilitates the development of various business directions. Competition is quite calm, probably due to the fact that we have our own niche in the market.

Local workers are available at quite adequate prices, and if there is a shortage of qualified professionals, it is possible to attract workers from Russia, many of whom are keen to take advantage of the excellent conditions for living and working in Georgia. Thus, Tbilisi offers a variety of opportunities in both personal and business life, making it a very attractive place to live and do business.

Business opportunities in Georgia

Georgia is an excellent place to launch business initiatives, with low start-up investments. Many businesses, like us, prefer not to rent office space, as our format allows them to organize their business from home or use co-working spaces.

Coworking centers in Tbilisi

In Tbilisi, there are many modernly arranged spaces available, where everything necessary for comfortable work is available: ergonomic workplaces, stable internet and other necessary amenities. The cost of renting such services is about40 GEL per daywhich corresponds to approximately13 U.S. dollars. If there is a need for a full-fledged office, the rent will cost from500 to 600 dollars a month.

Residence permit

From the point of view of obtaining a residence permit, this issue is not critical for us. Russian passport holders can stay in Georgia for a period of up to360 days a year. It is only necessary to leave the country once a year and return again. In addition, we often travel to neighboring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan. A residence permit is not required at all for doing business.

Working with Georgians

Now let's take a look at how Georgians behave in a professional setting. We launched our own project calledMy Ways Onwhich is a unique destination in the field of tourism and quests. Our goal is to deepen our clients' engagement with Georgia's culture and help them experience personal change. We had a successful spring and summer period2019.

Importance of local partners

In our experience, finding local contacts for doing business in Georgia is extremely important as they are the ones who can facilitate various aspects including:

• logistics
• accommodation
• transport services
• nourishment

Despite the positive attitude towards Russian entrepreneurs, prices can sometimes far exceed the standard of living of the local population. However, if a Georgian businessman or representative leads the deal at meetings, the terms become more favorable and the margin increases considerably.

A study of local tour guides

Sometimes local guides buy tickets to better understand new formats and gain new knowledge. Rich Georgians often prefer to travel abroad, while many others unfortunately cannot afford our offerings due to high prices.

Project development plans

We have many plans for the development of the project. At the moment we have launched a franchise and together with our partners we are creating quest excursions and organizing trips to all corners of the world. We have already started cooperation with several cities in Russia and are striving to enter the international arena: our prospects include countries such asArmenia,Belarus,ItalyandPoland.

We are focused on taking our position in the field ofimmersive tourismand become one of the leading players in the industry!

Moving stories

It is also worth paying attention to the stories of people who have moved to live in another country. For example, you can read about how one Russian woman created a cozy home in South Korea, how a spontaneous move to the Czech Republic influenced her fate, how to start a new life in America, or how to move from Ukraine to New Zealand and remain satisfied with this decision.

Business opportunities in Georgia

If we are talking about business opportunities in Georgia, I have some ideas about what you can do in this country. For example, I believe that Tbilisi has not had time to develop in the same way as Moscow, and so the gap of eight to nine years in terms of trends is obvious.

Current trends

What used to be relevant for the capital of Russia is now beginning to gain popularity in Tbilisi. Relevant at the moment are:

• BarbershopsAlthough there are still few of them, they have managed to win over many clients.
• Hookah loungesHowever, I have my doubts here, as the legalization of marijuana may lead people to prefer smoking stronger substances.
• Sale of IQOSThere is not a single official distributor of this product in Tbilisi.
• Coworking spaces and anti-cafesConceptual bars and establishments with unusual approaches.

Healthy lifestyle and car sharing

Currently, new places are actively opening in Tbilisi.fitness centers, which are rapidly finding their target audience. Culturehealthy lifestyleis just starting to develop in Georgia.

We are also seeing growth.car sharingThis market is practically free here. Every Georgian dreams of having a car, and those who don't have one are eager to use car-sharing services. However, there is currently a crisis in the tourism sector.

Modern entertainment and the complexity of the market

Thus, everything related to modern entertainment and services is quite underrepresented in Tbilisi. For those who are already successfully operating in this field in Russia, starting a business in Georgia may be less challenging, as the conditions for doing business here are more favorable.

However, it should be noted that the Tbilisi market is smaller than in Russian megacities, with the city's population being only about1.2 million peopleMoreover, the purchasing power of local residents is significantly lower than inMoscowandSaint Petersburg.

Tbilisi: A Comparison with Krasnodar

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is similar to Krasnodar in terms of the quality of life for its citizens and its picturesque landscapes. But how is life in Tbilisi, and what factors should be considered regarding prices in this city?

Prestigious neighborhoods of Tbilisi

An interesting point is that living in the city center is not as sought after as in some prestigious neighborhoods like Saburtalo and Vake. These areas are characterized by high quality, modern infrastructure — parks, cozy recreational areas, convenient cafes, and shops, which makes them attractive to residents.

Residential space in Saburtalo

Currently, we live in Saburtalo, renting a small studio apartment of 30 square meters. The apartment has recently been renovated and offers a beautiful view of the nearby park. The nearest metro station is just a ten-minute walk away, and the fare for public transport is about 12 rubles.

A taxi to Rustaveli Street will cost about 110 rubles. Renting an apartment in our area is approximately 19,000 rubles per month, and you also need to consider additional utility payments, which can reach 1,500 rubles in the summer.

Alternative housing options

In less prestigious but more central areas, such as Avlabari and Sololaki, it is possible to rent a one-bedroom apartment or a spacious room for 12,000 to 15,000 rubles. However, be prepared for the fact that such housing may be located in old buildings or in what is known as an "Italian courtyard" — a well-maintained communal space with a shared yard and balcony.

Problems of living in the city center

Staying in the city center may not be the most comfortable option due to the large influx of tourists, inflated prices for services and restaurants, as well as the lack of quality grocery stores.

Housing in less prestigious areas

If we look at areas that are a bit further from the center and less prestigious, such as Digomi, a one-bedroom apartment here also costs around 12,000 to 15,000 rubles. At the same time, housing in such places is often more modern, and the living conditions are quite comfortable.

Gldani and other areas

There are also areas that are located a significant distance from the center, such as Gldani. These places were built during the Soviet era as worker settlements. Renting an apartment here can cost only 6,000 to 10,000 rubles. While infrastructure is present, there is no metro, and the environment is not inspiring.

The travel time to the center by taxi takes about 30 minutes, which is considered relatively long for Tbilisi.

Comfort and accessibility

Nevertheless, life in Tbilisi seems quite comfortable and relatively affordable. Rental prices, transportation, and restaurant costs are significantly lower than in Moscow, although it should be noted that the prices for groceries and household chemicals in stores are similar to those in Russia.

Tbilisi offers the opportunity to live in comfort, and here life is valued not so much in monetary terms as by the quality of emotions and life experiences one receives.

Life in Georgia

Georgia is a country where you can find a cozy place to live and enjoy each day. Unlike the fast-paced rhythm of Moscow, there is no constant drive for material wealth and career achievements here. Life in Tbilisi offers a chance to appreciate every moment without getting lost in the endless ocean of consumerism.

Conclusion

In concluding our story, I want to share that the step we took in 2019 became not just a change of residence, but a true revolution in our lives. The realization that living differently is not just a dream, but a reality, is uplifting. We allowed ourselves to follow our desires and take risks, which ultimately led to the creation of a business that we love and that brings us satisfaction.

Life in Georgia

Life in Georgia, despite all its challenges and uncertainties, has turned out to be vibrant and interesting. We have not only adapted to the new culture and language but have also fully immersed ourselves in the life of this beautiful region, enjoying its warm climate and affordable living standards. Our business related to immersive tourism is thriving, and we see enormous potential for both growth and the development of new ideas that we can implement here.

Georgia: a source of inspiration

Georgia is not just a place we moved to. It is a country that inspires, teaches new things, and broadens horizons. It's important not to be afraid of change and to follow your dreams, no matter how difficult it may seem to start over. Every new day is an opportunity for improvement and discovery.

So, the main conclusions are:

• Follow your dreams.Your wishes can come true.
• Don't be afraid of change.Every step towards new opportunities is a chance to change your life.
• Explore new horizons.Discoveries may be waiting for you around every corner.

Share your experience

We will continue to develop our business and share the unique experiences we manage to create with others. Thus, our story is not just about immigration or business development; it's about the opportunity to forge new connections, transform ourselves, and seek adventures in life. I hope that by reading about our experience, someone will find inspiration to change their destiny and perhaps fulfill their dreams just as we have.