Albania is on my list to visit. My daughter and husband have been, but not me yet! Not so far from Slovenia where I live, but a world away culturally speaking, I expect.
I'd love to visit Slovenia as well--I keep planning trips that seem to fall through! But from everything I hear, it is indeed COMPLETELY different culturally.
I’m a Slovenian who’s never been to Albania, but last summer, I read Lea Ypi’s memoir about growing up in communist Albania, and some parts made me think about growing up in Yugoslavia although we were much less controlled by the government. My best friend served at the Slovenian Embassy in Albania for a year and loved the country. Another good friend did her PhD in the Greek minority in Albania, and I’ve been always curious about the country, the closest I’ve been to is Macedonia, which is very different, but also similar. I hear there’s amazing food, for me is always a good reason to travel to place. I guess the language would be a struggle, not similar to anything I speak.
Your life has intersected in so many ways with Albania--you should clearly come and visit me in Tirana! Honestly language isn't an issue at all--most people speak a little English and/or Italian, it isn't hard to get around. If you make your way here, please send me a DM!
I love this series and always eager to hear about new places. And you are right, this wasn't on my bingo card! 😂 (maybe you saw my note a couple weeks back with my own designed Substack Bingo Card?)
I've always wanted to visit Albania, not necessarily to live, but I definitely want to see it, and my heart has always been in off-the-beaten path places like this (Ukraine, etc). It's great to see people going for the less popular places.
But I am curious, Rebecca, about what attracted you specifically to Albania - unless I missed it? Why Albania, say, and not...Bosnia? Montenegro? Romania?
Your tip on economic behaviour is such a good one, it's not something I would've thought about. To be honest, I'm not familiar with people posting their requirements for accommodation - I always did it the other way, where I'd just search for what's available without inputting anything about my circumstances. It's such a pity when locals get priced out of things because of expats and their nefarious ways!
I'm glad you enjoyed learning about Albania! I picked it purely based on bureaucracy--Albania had the best visa policy in all of Europe at the tip :)
The economic behavior thing is tricky--I had never thought about it before moving here either! I don't think it's so much "nefariousness" ;) as "carelessness," which is a problem all itself.
I hope you enjoy my Substack, I'll be sure to check out yours as well!
Haha, with 'nefarious' I'm always quick to blame expats (me included) for their evil ways 😈
That's funny why you picked Albania - hey, why not, right? It's as good a reason as any. Bureaucracy can be a pain (to put it mildly).
I hope to get there one of these days. Been to other countries in the region. A former colleague and her partner recently moved to North Macedonia for a somewhat similar reason to yours, except they're British. The cost of living and ease of living there post-Brexit attracted them and they're happy so far. They were in China and Malaysia before, so there's an interesting parallel with your story.
Lol I have met a few nefarious expats in my life, but I'm sure you aren't one of them! :)
There's also a lot of people from Vietnam who ended up in Albania! The cost of living is way easier, and the governments here are happy to have us--they have to deal with a ton of outmigration, so money coming in is always welcome.
For some reason, I thought you might've mentioned the series coming to an end. Glad you haven't scrapped it, I always look forward to these. There's quite a lot of 'being abroad' content on Substack, but this is series is unique and refreshing, and it's great to see the range of perspectives and destinations. Keep at it! (if you like, of course 😁)
Albania is on my list to visit. My daughter and husband have been, but not me yet! Not so far from Slovenia where I live, but a world away culturally speaking, I expect.
I'd love to visit Slovenia as well--I keep planning trips that seem to fall through! But from everything I hear, it is indeed COMPLETELY different culturally.
I’m a Slovenian who’s never been to Albania, but last summer, I read Lea Ypi’s memoir about growing up in communist Albania, and some parts made me think about growing up in Yugoslavia although we were much less controlled by the government. My best friend served at the Slovenian Embassy in Albania for a year and loved the country. Another good friend did her PhD in the Greek minority in Albania, and I’ve been always curious about the country, the closest I’ve been to is Macedonia, which is very different, but also similar. I hear there’s amazing food, for me is always a good reason to travel to place. I guess the language would be a struggle, not similar to anything I speak.
Your life has intersected in so many ways with Albania--you should clearly come and visit me in Tirana! Honestly language isn't an issue at all--most people speak a little English and/or Italian, it isn't hard to get around. If you make your way here, please send me a DM!
I’ll let you know if I ever make it there. Do you intend to stay?
Staying for at least another year or two, so look me up if you come in that time range!
I’m so excited to read about Rebecca’s journey!! One of my favorite people 🥰🥰🥰
I love this series and always eager to hear about new places. And you are right, this wasn't on my bingo card! 😂 (maybe you saw my note a couple weeks back with my own designed Substack Bingo Card?)
I've always wanted to visit Albania, not necessarily to live, but I definitely want to see it, and my heart has always been in off-the-beaten path places like this (Ukraine, etc). It's great to see people going for the less popular places.
But I am curious, Rebecca, about what attracted you specifically to Albania - unless I missed it? Why Albania, say, and not...Bosnia? Montenegro? Romania?
Your tip on economic behaviour is such a good one, it's not something I would've thought about. To be honest, I'm not familiar with people posting their requirements for accommodation - I always did it the other way, where I'd just search for what's available without inputting anything about my circumstances. It's such a pity when locals get priced out of things because of expats and their nefarious ways!
I will definitely check out your Substack 🤗
I'm glad you enjoyed learning about Albania! I picked it purely based on bureaucracy--Albania had the best visa policy in all of Europe at the tip :)
The economic behavior thing is tricky--I had never thought about it before moving here either! I don't think it's so much "nefariousness" ;) as "carelessness," which is a problem all itself.
I hope you enjoy my Substack, I'll be sure to check out yours as well!
Haha, with 'nefarious' I'm always quick to blame expats (me included) for their evil ways 😈
That's funny why you picked Albania - hey, why not, right? It's as good a reason as any. Bureaucracy can be a pain (to put it mildly).
I hope to get there one of these days. Been to other countries in the region. A former colleague and her partner recently moved to North Macedonia for a somewhat similar reason to yours, except they're British. The cost of living and ease of living there post-Brexit attracted them and they're happy so far. They were in China and Malaysia before, so there's an interesting parallel with your story.
Lol I have met a few nefarious expats in my life, but I'm sure you aren't one of them! :)
There's also a lot of people from Vietnam who ended up in Albania! The cost of living is way easier, and the governments here are happy to have us--they have to deal with a ton of outmigration, so money coming in is always welcome.
Thanks Dan! Was just about to scrap it because I thought people might be tired of it. Glad I didn’t.
It is a very nice series.
Thank you. That means a lot.
For some reason, I thought you might've mentioned the series coming to an end. Glad you haven't scrapped it, I always look forward to these. There's quite a lot of 'being abroad' content on Substack, but this is series is unique and refreshing, and it's great to see the range of perspectives and destinations. Keep at it! (if you like, of course 😁)
💚