Kobuleti, Georgia

Capital City

With a population of just 17,435, this former Soviet-era resort town on the Black Sea coast is a far cry from the glitz of nearby Batumi. While Kobuleti has developed into an upscale tourist destination, particularly among ethnic Armenian visitors, the bureaucracy remains a persistent headache for those looking to settle here. The town's humid subtropical climate brings mild winters but sweltering summers, and the region's once-sophisticated sanatoriums have only recently been revived after years of abandonment. For those seeking a slower-paced seaside getaway, Kobuleti may fit the bill - but the challenges of navigating local red tape are not to be taken lightly.