Wait, can I actually call myself a nomad now?
I recently quit my job in Berlin. Being from a poor country (Pakistan) means I get six months more resident status in the EU before I am kicked out. I wanted to make the most of the privilege that an EU blue card gave me and spend the next few months staying in the continent. It’s quite overwhelming picking a specific country when for the first time I have all this freedom to travel. Here are 7 reasons why I settled on Georgia as my first nomad destination to live in and might inspire you too!
See also: The Perfect Itinerary for Tbilisi
1. Mountains
It should be no surprise that this is first on my list. Georgia has some of the most remote, beautiful mountains in all of Europe. The Caucasus Mountain range, between Georgia and Russia, hosts six of the highest peaks in Europe. The mountain range has a long and rich history. It has been a crossroads for trade and invasion for centuries, and their peaks have served as a natural barrier between Europe and Asia. The range has also been a source of conflict, as different groups have fought for control of its passes and valleys.
Exploring the Caucasus was the biggest factor for me in picking Georgia. I needed a mountain fix – a proper one, to help me come out of my existential crisis when it hit me that I am currently unemployed with no plan, and every one around me thinks I’m a fucking idiot for doing this.
Read my favourite trek I did in Georgia here: Mestia to Ushguli: A Complete Guide
2. Affordability
Affordability was another huge factor. I have meager savings while I figurer out my next job, so that ruled out all of Western Europe. Georgia is very affordable – even in Tbilisi, which is a bit more expensive than other cities, the cost of living is quite low. You can easily find a one-bedroom apartment for $500 a month. Food is also cheap (and delicious, but more on that later), you get a good meal at a restaurant for under $10. And if you cook at home, your grocery bill would be even lower. In addition to the financial aspect, the affordability of Georgia contributes to a stress-free nomadic lifestyle. The reasonable cost of living allows you to focus more on experiences and less on expenses!
3. Beaches
Yes, beaches come below mountains for me, but they’re definitely high up on the list of priorities. Georgia’s west coast along the Black Sea offers the perfect sun-and-sand escape to complement your mountain adventures. Georgia boasts a coastline that stretches for approximately 315 kilometers along the Black Sea. The coastal landscape is diverse, featuring a mix of pebbly and sandy beaches, hidden coves, and quaint seaside villages. The region is known for its subtropical climate, making it an ideal destination year-round!
4. Food
I’m going to be honest, I did not factor in the food. This was a very pleasant surprise. I stayed in Georgia for over a month, and I think I ate khinkalis almost every single day.
Here are some of my other favorite Georgian dishes:
Khachapuri: A delectable cheese-filled bread that’s a staple in Georgian cuisine.
Satsivi: A flavorful walnut sauce, often served with chicken or turkey.
Badrijani Nigvzit: Eggplant rolls filled with a walnut-garlic paste, a unique and delicious appetizer.
And that’s just the beginning. If you’re a fan of wine, you’re in for an even bigger treat. Georgia is the oldest wine-producing region in the world, boasting an ancient winemaking tradition that dates back over 8,000 years. The country’s unique winemaking method using large clay vessels called qvevris sets it apart from the rest of the wine-producing world.
Georgians are very proud of their wine, and rightfully so. Wine here is not just a beverage; it’s a cultural experience. The country’s diverse climate and terrain contribute to a wide array of grape varieties, resulting in distinctive wines with complex flavors.
5. People
Warm, hospitable people. It’s never happened to me before that I go to a city and the people treat me like their own. These are just a few examples of how welcoming the people were:
- The first guest house I was staying at, they offered breakfast for an additional cost and I didn’t opt for it. The mother of the owner called me down, insisted I eat some cake before heading out for my trek and then scolded me for not covering my head in the cold in a very typical grandma way.
- After a day on the hike when I got to the guest house, we realized we didn’t have sufficient cash and they did not accept cards. When we told the owner, she brushed it off asking us to eat and recover first; we will sort out money later.
- In Kobuleti, the host cooked some khachapuri and gave it to me to ‘welcome me’ into her home.
The kindness of strangers means so much more when you’re away from and new in a city.
6. Liberal Visa Policy
One of the main reasons Georgia stands out as an attractive haven for digital nomads is its hassle-free process for long-term stays. 98 countries allow their citizens a visa-free stay of up to one year in Georgia. Additionally, if you are a resident in most of these countries without being a citizen, you can still enter Georgia visa-free.
The digital landscape in Georgia is expanding rapidly, marked by various initiatives aimed at fostering continuous growth. Notably, the “Remotely from Georgia” state program beckoned high-earning foreign citizens to work remotely in the country. This initiative gained popularity, particularly during the pandemic when Georgia was recognized as one of the safer destinations. The program attracted hundreds of digital nomads, catalyzing the development of a vibrant local nomadic community.
7. Big city perks, small city charm
While I went to Georgia mostly for the natural landscapes, it doesn’t fall short in providing the comforts of urban living. Tbilisi, the capital city, is the perfect mix of big city perks and small city charm. There’s a vibrant cultural scene, with art galleries, theaters, and a buzzing nightlife. It also helps that the city has a lot of co-working spaces, a burgeoning trend in Tbilisi, that provides the opportunity to meet new people.
Georgia has also made substantial strides in developing its infrastructure. From reliable internet connectivity to well-maintained transportation networks, it’s a great place to work online comfortably.
My stay in Georgia extended to nearly two months, a period that felt both fleeting and profound. I wouldn’t say my existential crisis is over, but I am leaving the country feeling more confident in my decision about what I want from this life. I am so grateful for the memories, the flavors and the warmth it gave me. My heart is not done with this country yet, and I’m sure I will find my way back here someday!