Vera, Tbilisi: renting, transport and infrastructure

Who Vera suits

Vera is a small historic district on the right bank of the Kura between Rustaveli Avenue and Vake. Administratively it belongs to the Mtatsminda district, but in listings and in conversation it is always named on its own. The main street is Kostava, Vera Park is close by, and between them lies a grid of quiet streets with old houses, cafes, bars and small shops. It is one of the most lived-in parts of the centre: people have lived here for decades and neighbours know each other.

Vera suits people who want to live within walking distance of the centre and are prepared to pay for it. It is a choice for those who work in the centre, for expats and freelancers who value cafes and walks, for couples without children and for anyone who appreciates old Tbilisi architecture. It is less suitable for families with a car, for people who need parking and a lift, and for those looking for the quiet of a residential suburb.

The district is small, but Vera in a listing can mean different things — from buildings right by Rustaveli to streets climbing towards Vake. Check the exact address and look at the map: noise, the walk to the metro and the price all depend on it.

Transport and getting to the centre

Vera is the centre, so the question of how to get there barely arises. Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom Square and the Old Town are a walk away. The nearest metro is Rustaveli station, an easy walk from most addresses in Vera. Buses along Kostava and Rustaveli go in every direction: to Vake, Saburtalo and the left bank.

Things to keep in mind:

• the district is hilly: from Kostava towards Vake and the park the streets climb, and walking home with shopping is not always easy;
• at rush hour Kostava and Rustaveli are congested, and a car will not be faster;
• parking is one of the main problems: courtyards have few spaces and street parking is paid and usually full.

Housing: older stock and new builds

Older stock

The core of Vera is old houses with high ceilings, mouldings, wooden staircases and courtyards. Flats here are spacious, with big windows and unusual layouts; furnished flats with a period-style renovation are common in the listings. These buildings as a rule have no lift and old utilities, and heating is a gas boiler or air conditioners: in winter gas and electricity bills are noticeably higher than in a compact flat in a new building. These flats make up the bulk of what is on offer in the district. Some come with furniture left by previous owners — sometimes antiques, sometimes just old things; ask in advance whether anything can be removed or replaced.

New builds

There are few new buildings in Vera: the district is densely built and there is almost no free land. The new builds that do exist are usually low-rise, with a lift and sometimes underground parking, and cost noticeably more than the older stock. The service fee is paid separately. If a lift and parking matter to you in this part of the city, the choice will be narrow — it makes sense to compare with Vake.

Prices compared with the rest of the city

Vera is one of the most expensive locations in Tbilisi, alongside Vake. Flats here usually cost more than in Saburtalo or Chugureti, let alone the eastern and northern districts. Within the district, the priciest housing is near Kostava, Vera Park and Rustaveli, as well as renovated flats in old buildings with a view. Judging by the listings, the price depends heavily on the renovation: two flats in the same building can differ a lot in price. Check current listings on Bina for actual prices.

If you want to live in this part of the city for less, look at flats without a fresh renovation or on the upper floors of buildings without a lift — on average they are noticeably more affordable in the listings. For a long lease, owners are as a rule more open to discussing the price.

What to check at a viewing

• Heating and winter bills. High ceilings and old windows are the main source of winter costs; ask the owner how the flat is heated and what last winter cost.
• Staircase and entrance. Wooden stairs, the condition of doors and roof, whether there is an intercom.
• Noise. Kostava and the streets near Rustaveli are loud; deeper into the blocks it is quieter.
• Parking. If you have a car, find out in advance where you will park it.
• Contract and deposit. The deposit is usually one month's rent; a simple written contract is enough, no notary needed.

Pros and cons

Pros

• everything on foot: Rustaveli, the Old Town, Vake;
• Rustaveli metro nearby, buses in every direction;
• Vera Park, cafes, bars, the atmosphere of old Tbilisi;
• spacious flats with high ceilings;
• calm inner streets in a central location.

Cons

• some of the highest prices in the city;
• older stock: no lift, old utilities, expensive heating in winter;
• little parking;
• almost no new builds;
• few listings, and good ones go fast.

What to compare it with

• Vake — the neighbouring prestigious district: Vake Park, Chavchavadze Avenue, more new builds and houses on the slopes, but no metro and the highest prices. See listings in Vake.
• Sololaki and Mtatsminda — the Old Town: similar houses, more tourists, usually comparable prices.
• Chugureti — the left bank, also old houses with courtyards and Marjanishvili metro, but noticeably cheaper. See listings in Chugureti.
• Saburtalo — the biggest selection, new builds and metro, mid-range prices. See listings in Saburtalo.

Vera is the choice for people who want to step out of the door and be on Rustaveli a few minutes later, and who are ready to pay the old-centre price for it.

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