Chugureti, Tbilisi: renting, transport and infrastructure

Who Chugureti suits

Chugureti is a historic district on the left bank of the Kura, opposite the Old Town and Rustaveli Avenue. Its spine is Agmashenebeli Avenue, with restored facades, a pedestrian stretch, cafes and restaurants, and its main magnet is Fabrika — a former sewing factory turned into a space with a hostel, bars, workshops and coworkings. At the other end of the district is Station Square with the railway station and Dezerter Bazaar, the best-known food market in the city.

The district suits people who want to live in the centre but pay less than on the right bank. It is a choice for freelancers and remote workers, young couples, and anyone who wants the old-town atmosphere of courtyards without the tourist crowds of Sololaki. It also suits people who often travel around the country by train, and those who work on the left bank or regularly go to Didube and Saburtalo: no need to cross the river every time. It is less suitable for those looking for quiet and new buildings with parking in the yard.

Transport and getting to the centre

Chugureti is one of the best-connected districts in Tbilisi. It has two metro stations on the same line: Marjanishvili in the heart of the district and Station Square by the railway station. Rustaveli is one stop from Marjanishvili, and the right bank is within walking distance across the bridge. There are plenty of buses to the centre, Saburtalo and Didube.

Things to keep in mind:

• the blocks between Agmashenebeli and the river are compact, and most addresses are within walking distance of the metro;
• around the station and Dezerter Bazaar it is busy from early morning and traffic is dense;
• transit flows to the station and towards Didube pass through the district, so streets are congested at rush hour.

Housing: older stock and new builds

Older stock and Italian courtyards

The core of the district is historic buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century with inner courtyards that Tbilisi calls Italian: wooden gallery balconies around the perimeter, a shared staircase, neighbours who know each other. Flats here have high ceilings, often unusual layouts, and sometimes views of the river or the avenue. Condition varies widely, from designer renovations to flats that have not been updated in years. At a viewing, look at the wiring, the windows, the state of the staircase and balconies, and ask about heating — as a rule it is a gas boiler or air conditioners.

New builds

New buildings in Chugureti are mostly closer to the railway station and on the edges of the district. Usually these are apartment blocks with a lift, sometimes with security and underground parking; the service fee is paid on top of the rent. There are fewer new builds here than in Samgori or Didube, and they serve a niche: people who want a lift and fresh utilities in a central location.

Prices compared with the rest of the city

The main argument for Chugureti is the ratio of price to location. The district is usually noticeably cheaper than Vera, Vake and Sololaki, even though Rustaveli is as close from Marjanishvili as from those districts, sometimes closer. At the same time Chugureti is typically pricier than Didube and the eastern districts. The most expensive housing is on Agmashenebeli Avenue itself and in restored buildings near Fabrika; closer to the station and the market prices in the listings are on average lower. Check current listings on Bina for actual prices.

A well-renovated flat in an Italian-courtyard house often costs as much as a new build in the same district: here you pay for the ceilings, the view and the location, not for a lift. If your budget is tight, look at flats without a fresh renovation deeper in the blocks between Agmashenebeli and the station — on average they are noticeably cheaper in the listings.

What to check at a viewing

• Heating and windows. Old buildings have high ceilings and big windows: gas and electricity bills rise noticeably in winter, so ask about the type of heating.
• Courtyard and entrance. Italian-courtyard houses have shared staircases and balconies: assess their condition and how noisy the yard is.
• Street noise. Agmashenebeli and the station area are loud in the evening and early morning — check which way the windows face.
• Service fee. In a new build, ask how much is paid for the lift and security and whether it is included in the rent.
• Contract and deposit. The deposit is usually one month's rent; a written contract without a notary is enough.

Pros and cons

Pros

• the centre for less money than on the right bank;
• two metro stations and bridges to the Old Town;
• Agmashenebeli and Fabrika: cafes, bars, coworkings;
• Dezerter Bazaar — fresh produce nearby;
• the atmosphere of historic buildings and courtyards.

Cons

• older stock: worn utilities, no lift, cold in winter without good heating;
• noise and dense traffic near the station and the market;
• little parking;
• few new builds, and not the cheapest ones;
• the avenue and the area around Fabrika are lively in the evening, which is not for everyone.

What to compare it with

• Didube — further along the left bank, cheaper, next to the bus station and the Digomi estate with its new builds. See listings in Didube.
• Vera — right bank, old houses with high ceilings and cafes, but one of the most expensive locations. See listings in Vera.
• Sololaki and Mtatsminda — the Old Town on the right bank, the tourist centre, usually pricier and more crowded.
• Isani — to the east, Avlabari and Isani metro, prices below the centre. See listings in Isani.

Chugureti is the best option for people who want to live in a centre with history and cafes but are not willing to overpay for the right bank.

Browse current listings in Chugureti on Bina — with a map and filters by price, number of rooms and building type.