I help Americans move abroad—the No. 1 overlooked country in Europe
Like many Americans, I always dreamed of moving to Europe. And in 2015, 35 years old, I decided to leave Texas for Spain.
I installed it two years later RenewedA community that helps women over 30 years of age to jump abroad. Since then, hundreds of women have helped to establish new lives in countries such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
The most popular destinations among the women I work with tend to have hot air and flexible visa options. Spain and Portugal are at the top of the list because they are relatively affordable for Western Europe, enjoying a comfortable life speed and having independent rich or retirement.
Albania is a country where several Americans can probably find on a map. But that’s changing.
In recent years, I continued to hear Albania, one of the members of my community. A handful moved there and couldn’t look crazy about it. Interestingly, I spent a month in Albania in 2024, especially the capital Tirana and along the beach. I really surprised me what Buzz was about and what I found.
Albania may not be for everyone – no place – but many Americans dream of a soft landing, controls too many boxes. That is why I see it as the number 1 ignored destination in Europe for the use of moving from the USA:
Surprisingly affordable
According to women in my network, Albania is one of the few places where you can rent a comfortable apartment under $ 500 per month. This cost of low living is one of the biggest reasons why Americans flocked there.
To take Cheryl orlovRedondo Beach moved from California to Tirana. “Although the cost of living in Tirana increases, some of what I still pay in California.” He said. For example, the rent for a two -bed -room apartment in Tirana is less than the sixth of what he paid for a two -bedroom country house at Redondo Beach before leaving California in 2023.
Grocery, eating and health services are much more suitable. For digital nomads and retirees, Albania offers an increasingly unreachable quality of life in many USA.
Saranda, Albania Beach.
With the permission of Cepee Tabibian
You can stay from a visa up to a year
One of the biggest advantages of Albania is that Americans can live there Does not contain a visa for up to 12 monthsA rare benefit in Europe.
You can jump on a plane tonight and start your new life in Albania tomorrow, you don’t need documents. This is ideal for those who want to “test” life abroad without navigating in complex visa systems.
When I was in Tirana, I met Denisa Kaca Bradley. Expatriates in AlbaniaTo learn more about immigration options. He explained that staying beyond a year requires documents, it is possible and that his organization helps new arrivals in the process.
I met dozens of Americans in weekly meetings: solo women, couples and families. Many of them use Albania as a step stone. After understanding the visa status elsewhere, they stay for a year or two before going to another place in Europe. Others choose to stay in the long run.
Naturally striking
From the rugged Albanian Alps in the north to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea in the West and to Ionia in the south, the country’s view is breathtaking.
During my journey, I drove the Albanian Riviera and visited Saranda, a lively seaside town with a beautiful ride. September and the weather was still swimming and warm enough to sunbathe, but the beaches were practically empty – a rare treatment compared to places like Spain or Italy. You can see Greece remotely on an open day! Corfu Island is just a 30 -minute ferry journey away.
I didn’t do this to the northern mountains, but next time it is higher on my list. Far villages, hiking trails and magnificent landscapes have a dream for open -air lovers.
In the background, the city of Albanian Vlorë and Cepee Tabibian.
With the permission of Cepee Tabibian
He feels local, but has a growing migrant community
Until the early 1990s, Albania is largely largely Closed to the world Under a communist regime. Tourism is just really receiving inside Up to the last decade. As a result, Albania still feels an authentic Albanian.
At the same time, Albanians greatly welcome the Americans who surprise many expatriates I talked to. . Pro -American feeling And friendship to expatriates makes it easier for newcomers to feel in their home and connect with the local community.
In cities like Tirana and coastal towns such as Vlorë, it leaves an increasing number of foreign roots. Like Monica MirandaJersey City is an American who moved from New Jersey to Vlorë with a 43 -year -old dog. “I didn’t know much about Albania,” he said. “But when I arrived, he clicked something. He turned into two months.” Monica has currently lived in Albania for nearly two years and has recently received a five -year residence card.
“I have established a supportive expatriate group from the United States, England, Australia and Latin America.” “We are caught several times a week. It was an incredibly fundamental experience.”
It may not be the first country that comes to mind, but for many Americans I have met, Albania has become the right place at the right time.
Cepee Tabibian founder RenewedA community and resource platform and author that helps to move women over the age of 30 abroad “I’m leaving here! An American’s final visa guide to live in Europe“As the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Texas Houston before becoming immigrant in Spain.
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