Hello there! We are Tony and Kendall, two adventurous souls who have recently embarked on an exciting journey. In March 2021, we left behind our comfortable lives in South Carolina, USA, and relocated to the stunning city of Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Tony has spent many years honing his craft in video and photography, specializing in weddings and real estate. Meanwhile, Kendall worked as a data analyst for a medical analytics company. However, we both yearned for something more fulfilling and exciting, so we decided to take a leap of faith and start a new chapter in our lives.
As expats, we have discovered many hidden gems in Chiang Mai and have adapted to the cultural nuances and quirks of Thailand. We share our experiences on our RU-vid channel and hope to provide valuable information to others who are considering a similar move or planning a vacation to this beautiful country.
We sincerely hope that our journey will inspire you to take a leap of faith and pursue your dreams.
I visited Albania in 2006 (a long time ago now, I know) and the strongest memory I have is that they were the most hospitable people I've ever come across. I had a couple of amazing interactions in particular where I was embraced as a foreigner and made to feel extremely welcome. Aside from that huge positive, there wasn't a lot else to inspire me to settle there. There were some lovely scenic and historic places but nothing particularly remarkable compared to the rest of Europe.
I can't believe this! I have Chiang Mai as my base, but I'm still looking for a second base to live for half the year and am going to Albania in a few weeks for the first time. I am SO looking forward to your next few videos comparing Albania to Thailand (especially Chiang Mai). This is mind-blowing! Have a fantastic time in Albania (I hope!) and please let us know the similarities, and the good & bad between the two. I'll keep tuned.
We spent 4 years in Tbilisi, Georgia. I would say it’s another country that is very affordable and a former Soviet’s colony. Very mountainous and the landscape in the summer is beautiful. It is cold in the winter just like northern Virginia. Food and housing is just like here in Thailand. There is a Carre Four just like Walmart, double decker with food on the first floor and. Household goods on the second floor. However, Thailand is still my favorite for all the food and tropical fruits.
I've been scoping out and gathering info on Albania for a couple years now, and I have to say, all looks really good so far, with one big draw back. I've been living in the tropics in Costa Rica for the last 30 years, and having grown up in Chicago, I swore to myself that I would never ever again live somewhere that gets cold. There's a postcard-worthy beautiful little city on the ocean in Southern Albania, but from what I've heard in the winter months you will definitely need a coat or at least a jacket. Winter will be here soon, so please, in your travels around Albania should you travel to that southern town on the coast, please give weather updates in your videos. I've subscribed because I am seriously interested.
idea of DTV was to attract high paying tourists and the wealthy the digital nomad who isn't dependent on any job and who did not want to spend much and get a taste of Thailand and then consider future high category visas like the investment visa but all they are allowing are remote workers and freeloaders... the soft power activity DTV is not yet given to anyone.. I have applied twice for medical treatment and acute DVT treatment but twice rejected and advised a medical tourist visa 😂
Great tip about the 1 year free visa-any modern oceanfront rentals like Thailand -600 bucks for a newer condo cheap in Thailand -would like to find something nice in Albania oceanfront for 6 months
Great video, thanks for the update! I was worried a little bit and my family (who live in Thailand) didn't want us to go there as they are worried. But I think we will give it a try in 2 weeks ^^
Thanks for the shoutout. Great meeting you guys at Dukes -will see you all back in Chiangmai right after Valentines Day- already missing Chiangmai flood or no flood. keep dry and well. Sincerely Michele and her sons Michael and Valentino and nephew Pat.
Tirana is the same latitude as Medford, Oregon with very similar weather, maybe a little less cloudy and wet during winter. I'll take hot year-round over that.
Great forward planning, Tony. Looking fwd to this ! I can't get the episodes of the Simpson's out of my mind, though (when Homer takes in an Albanian exchange student) 😅
I spent a month in Albania while researching retirement locations. My takeaways....hospitable people (the only country that NOBODY tried to scam me), affordable housing even in the capital city, excellent food especially if you like Italian and Greek, weather is very temperate, and very favorable visa requirements for Americans. I wish they had a service like Grab food delivery, but it's nice to get out and spend time in the cafes.
Wow thats quite a surprise. Looking forward to the videos. Hope you will make a trip some day to my other favourite "Armenia". Have a safe and fun trip!
I’ve been there 2x’s for a month, friendly people, nice beaches, good food and the prices are reasonable. Transportation needs serious improvement. Affordable for Europe, but much different than most of the countries. I spent most of the time in the Sarande area. I liked it, but I can’t say that I like as well as anywhere in S E Asia.
For me culture matters. Albania vs Thailand -> European (western) culture vs Asian culture. Asian culture appeals to me more. To be honest - when I hear “Albania” I think of the bad old days but I realize things have changed and it may be worth a look.
when I heard you say you will be landing in Tirana, I thought you were coming to my hometown Toronto, lol. We say it like that. Like locals from New Orleans call it " N'awlins" Really like your channel, will be following your adventure!
