living in Tbilisi with young children

My husband may be offered a job transfer to Tbilisi. Although we%26#39;ve lived overseas before in the Balkans and Middle East, we never have lived abroad with our twin toddlers who are still very young! Thus, a new challenge into deciding whether now is the time to live abroad. And, is Tbilisi a comfortable place to transition for us?

My questions are mainly what is there to do in Tbilisi on a daily basis for young children who are not yet of grammar school age? Are the parks clean and safe? Are there zoos, playgrounds, puppet shows, tumbling, dance or swim classes, or indoor activities?

Is it expensive to buy items for children like diapers, clothes, toys, etc?

Does anyone have experience with Quality Schools International? Are there any English preschools for 2-3 year olds?

Thank you! Alex

living in Tbilisi with young children

Aklthough I am in the Turks and Caicos Islands I do have a contact in Tbilisi who can help you. Please e-mail me on caicosboy@gmail.com and I will reply immediately.

living in Tbilisi with young children

Tbilisi%26#39;s a great (and inexpensive) place to live, lots of outdoor restaurants and plenty for the kids to do. There are English speaking schools and plenty of people to ask here about places for English speaking pre-schoolers or an inexpensive nanny, which would probably be cheaper than you%26#39;d think. But you could also consider plunging the kids into a mixed environment so they can pick up Georgian and help you out when you get lost for words in a shop.

Clothes and toys are in plentiful supply and probably no more expensive than you%26#39;d be used to in the M.E. or the Balkans. My guess would be that if you liked the Balkans you%26#39;ll love Georgia.

To be honest, it%26#39;s NOT the tidiest place on the planet, as the Georgians (in general) don%26#39;t seem to care too much about where they throw their rubbish away, but it%26#39;s compensated for by the stunning scenery of Georgia and also the bustling tree-lined, hilly streets of Tbilisi in the summertime.

Hi,

may be you are in Tbilisi by now but I thought you could use more information.

It %26#39;s not easy to be here with lettel kids. They are a lot of parks and playgrounds but they are NOT clean and some times dengerose to use.

Good toys and clothes are expensive and I sugest to bring them with you.

They are hard to find a english speekeng pre-schools here.

I know two of them. One our son went to It%26#39;s ';Sun Shine'; school tel. # 38-0504. We liked it. Another his friend went to ';The International Preschool'; Tel .39-9764 or cell phone 899-97-5581