Written by Rita Serra | Published Sept 26, 2025

Relocating to Albania wasn’t because of my years of planning or a dream I had been chasing. After being stuck in the US for nearly 11 months, Albania was one of the few countries open during COVID. It was also one of the only places where I didn’t need to visa hop.

I knew I had a year I could stay without worry. Also, I was restless in the U.S. after spending a year of traveling all over the world; now I was stationed in one place and living with family and friends. I was searching for a way to keep moving, to keep exploring, when most of the world had shut down.

What was meant to be a short-term escape turned into something much bigger. Five years later, I’m still here, discovering what it really means to build a life abroad in a place I never expected.

This isn’t the glossy, Instagram-filtered version of a foreigner living abroad. In this post, I’m sharing my travel confessions, the good, the hard, and the things no one tells you, so you can decide for yourself what life here is truly like.

What I Expected Before Relocating to Albania

To tell the truth, I had no real expectations about relocating to Albania. I only knew about it through another blogger who had lived here for years. Her stories showed a beautiful and affordable country with coastal towns, warm weather, and a slower lifestyle. That sounded like the kind of escape I was searching for.

At the time, Albania was still a mystery. Few people were talking about it, and it felt hidden compared to other European countries. I imagined rugged mountains, quiet beaches, simple food, and small cafés where life moved at a slower pace.

I did not know what daily life would look like exactly. Was Albania safe for a woman relocating alone? Would I be able to adjust to a culture and language I knew nothing about? I found an apartment in a Facebook group, which was a lucky break. Still, I had no idea how to use public transportation or what it would take to live there full time as a foreigner.

Most of what I knew came from reading bits and pieces online, but I realized the only way to understand was to experience it for myself. In 2020, restless and desperate for change, relocating to Albania felt like the chance to breathe again. What I thought would be temporary turned out to be exactly what I needed, something far better than expected.

What Actually Happened After Relocating to Albania

Relocating to Albania came with more surprises than I ever imagined. Life here felt completely different from the U.S. I spent slow mornings walking by the sea and long afternoons over coffee with friends.

Local markets became part of my routine, and the slower pace felt like a complete shift from my old 9-to-5 life. That rhythm not only gave me peace but also helped me feel at ease in my new surroundings.

A turning point came a few months later, around my birthday. The friends I had made, both expats and locals, threw me a small celebration. It may have seemed simple, but to me, it meant everything. Living in a small town, 4,000 miles away from family, I had created a little family of my own here in Albania.

There have been incredible moments and happy memories. There have also been challenges, doubts, and times when I questioned whether I still wanted to stay. Yet no matter what, I remain grateful. Relocating to Albania has given me a life filled with growth, connection, and moments of pure joy.

What I Love About Life in Albania

The first thing I noticed was the pace of life. Relocating to Albania meant slowing down in ways I never imagined. Mornings stretched into afternoons as I sat by the sea with a coffee, and no one rushed me to move on.

That slower rhythm gave me space to breathe and appreciate the present. This slower rhythm is also why many digital nomads are drawn here. Working from cafés by the sea while enjoying Albania’s natural beauty feels like a gift.

Then came the views. Everywhere I turned, I found natural beauty that felt untouched compared to other parts of Europe. The mountains rise sharply in the distance, the Adriatic sparkles in the sunlight, and the sunsets stretch endlessly across the horizon. Even now, five years later, those views still stop me in my tracks.

Community became another reason I stayed. People greet you on the street, neighbors remember your name, and cafés become places where conversations unfold for hours. That sense of connection is something I never truly experienced in the U.S., and it made Albania feel like home.

And of course, the food. Fresh vegetables, homemade bread, olive oil from local farms, and honey that tastes like sunshine. Feta here is unmatched, but so is the way meals connect people. Dinner isn’t rushed; it’s shared, savored, and part of the culture that makes living here so rich.

What Was Hard

Applying for a residence permit felt overwhelming at first. The paperwork moved slowly, and I often relied on help from locals or friends. The language barrier made daily life harder, too.

Simple things like asking for directions or ordering food pushed me out of my comfort zone, but those challenges also helped me immerse myself and slowly pick up the language.

Transportation brought its own hurdles. Figuring out the minibuses, known as furgons, took patience. When I first arrived, schedules were almost nonexistent, and routes felt confusing.

Researching online didn’t help much, so I leaned on friends and locals for guidance. It was frustrating at first, but over time, I figured it out.

Healthcare was another adjustment. Saranda has a local hospital, but it’s limited in what it can provide. Private clinics, such as Intermedica, offer better care, although it is still not what you might expect back home. For anything major, people usually travel to Tirana or cross into Greece.

Food shopping also took some getting used to. In smaller towns, supermarkets don’t carry everything under one roof. If I want meat, I go to a butcher. For herbs or certain vegetables, I know which market to visit. Shopping means visiting several places, not just one.

Winters were a surprise, too. Saranda becomes quiet after summer, with restaurants and cafés closing for the season. While more now stay open year-round, the slower pace can still feel isolating.

Another shift was cash. Many businesses don’t accept cards, and carrying cash everywhere initially felt inconvenient. Over time, I adjusted.

The hardest part, though, has been the distance from family and friends. Living abroad means missing holidays and milestones, even while building a wonderful community here. If you’re really considering relocating to Albania, start by building a solid travel fund so you feel prepared for unexpected costs.

Lessons Learned While Relocating to Albania

Living abroad redefined the meaning of home for me. Home is not always where you are born, but where you grow, connect, and feel supported. Relocating to Albania showed me that you can create a sense of belonging wherever you are, even 4,000 miles away from family.

I also discovered that living abroad is expansion, not just escape. At first, I wanted to leave the U.S. and find somewhere to breathe. Over time, Albania gave me more than space, it gave me growth. Each challenge, from language barriers to applying for a residence permit, forced me to become more resilient and patient.

Life here stripped away distractions and taught me what really matters. It is not the quick Amazon delivery or Target run. It is fresh bread from the bakery, coffee shared with friends, and neighbors who greet you by name.

Those small things have become my version of wealth. If you’re serious about relocating abroad, my long-term travel planning guide will help you map out every step.

Most of all, I learned confidence. Each hurdle, whether navigating public transport or building community, proved I was capable of more than I believed. That confidence is something I will carry with me, no matter where life takes me next.

Would I Recommend Relocating to Albania?

Yes, I would recommend relocating to Albania, but not because it feels easy. Life here changes you in ways you don’t expect. It teaches patience, slows you down, and helps you appreciate the present.

That said, relocating to Albania is not for everyone. Before making the move, I strongly suggest visiting first. Stay a month or two and see if it feels right for you. Ask yourself: can you live without the luxuries you’re used to in the U.S.? Are you comfortable without Amazon deliveries, or with limited access to certain products and services?

Living here also means embracing a slower pace of life. Fewer amenities, fewer conveniences, and fewer activities may be available compared to back home. Some people thrive in that simplicity, while others struggle to adjust.

If you can let go of those expectations and find joy in the slower rhythm, Albania can be a wonderful fit. But it takes openness and flexibility. This lifestyle is rewarding, yet it requires an honest look at whether you’re ready to adapt.

One Confession No One Told Me

Here’s the truth no one told me before relocating to Albania: you never really leave. Even if you pack your bags and board a plane, the country lingers. It stays in the rhythm of your mornings, in the way you sip your coffee slowly instead of rushing through it. It lives in the habit of greeting people on the street and in the pause you take to watch the sea.

For me, Albania reshaped how I see the world. When I return to the U.S., I notice how fast everything moves, how little time people take to connect. Here, slowing down became second nature. That shift doesn’t disappear just because you change countries.

It’s not only my story. Other expats and digital nomads I’ve met feel the same. They may leave physically, but they carry Albania’s natural beauty, warmth, and slower rhythm with them. This place leaves an imprint on you.

That’s the confession: Albania becomes part of you. It changes how you value time, how you connect with people, and how you experience joy. Once you’ve lived here, you’ll always carry a piece of Albania wherever you go.

Final Thoughts on Relocating to Albania

This is my honest take on what life here feels like. Relocating to Albania has been both rewarding and challenging, and that mix is what makes the experience meaningful.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Albania from the U.S., know that it isn’t always easy. You’ll face language barriers, infrastructure frustrations, and sometimes unclear rental contracts or paperwork for your residence permit.

Living in Saranda or anywhere in the south also means a five-hour trip just to reach the airport. Homesickness will hit at times too. But alongside those challenges, you’ll discover a community that welcomes you with warmth.

Moving abroad is not about chasing perfection. It is about growth, discovery, and creating a life that feels true to you. If you are ready to embrace both the struggles and the beauty, Albania might surprise you just as it did me.

So ask yourself: is this the kind of life you want to build? For women looking for solo travel ideas or even trips for singles over 40, Albania might be an option you hadn’t considered.

It’s also becoming popular among digital nomads looking for affordable living, cultural immersion, and visa pathways. If Albania isn’t the right fit, explore other countries that may align better with your lifestyle.