Batumi, Ajara, Georgia

The reality of life in Ajara is a bureaucratic headache. Ajara TV, the regional broadcaster, has three offices in the area and one each in the capital Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The channel was founded in 1987 and became the second TV station in Georgia to broadcast via satellite in 1999.

In 2013, Ajara TV obtained public broadcaster status, a move that drew criticism from the OSCE. This speaks to the persistent red tape and oversight that residents must navigate. The climate and safety may be appealing, but the administrative burdens are a persistent challenge.

Batumi is likely best suited for those with a high tolerance for bureaucracy and a desire to experience a lesser-known corner of Georgia.