With my wife Dace we continue traveling through Eastern Europe to share it with you and we arrived in Albania, a surprising Balkan country with coasts, mountains and an intense urban life.
Life in Albania is a mosaic of contrasts, a mix of ancient traditions and modernity but with very particular periods. The country has experienced significant changes in recent decades, from the fall of communism in 1991 to the opening to the market economy and integration into NATO in 2009.
Visiting Albania these days will surely surprise you with the vitality of its cities. Everywhere there are people on the move, enjoying themselves, walking, working or simply chatting in a corner.
The environment supports an outdoor life. Albania is a country with impressive natural beauty, with steep mountains, virgin beaches and crystalline rivers and a truly benign climate for the European context.
The cost of living in Albania is relatively low, which makes it an attractive destination for expatriates and retirees, and although the purchasing power of Albanians is still far from the European average, having significantly improved their income in recent decades makes its people are satisfied and hopeful for a better future.
One characteristic that should be highlighted about Albania is its hospitality. Albanians are known for their cheerfulness and good treatment, they are talkative and friendly, at any time they will find an opportunity to try to talk to you.
Albania has a rich culture and history, with influences from Greece, Rome, Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, this symbiosis of influences makes us sometimes seem to be in one part of the world and other times in another distant part, in any case, it is something that adds interest to a visit.
However there are still many negative aspects of life in Albania. Albania's infrastructure is still developing, which can make transportation and communication difficult, traffic in Tirana can be really chaotic.
The unemployment rate in Albania is high, especially among young people, and corruption is a persistent problem. At these points the situation is no different from that of the majority of the Balkan countries, in which the change of regime towards a market economy brought emigration and privileges.
If you are thinking about the possibility of moving and residing here, it is important to take into account the challenges facing the country these days. On balance, it is a recommendable experience to the extent that you can obtain your income remotely, outside the country.
For us who are walking its streets, life in Albania is an intense and rewarding experience. The country offers a combination of natural beauty, striking culture and friendly people, it is one of those places we will want to return to.
Anyway, we share some additional details about life in Albania: The official language of Albania is Albanian, but English is increasingly spoken. The currency is the Albanian lek and prices are considerably cheaper than the European average.
The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters, don't be surprised if you can enjoy a swim in the Adriatic Sea in both April and October.
The majority of the Albanian population is Muslim, but there is a significant Christian minority, divided between Catholics, Evangelicals and Orthodox. There is freedom and tolerance of religions.
If you are looking for a different and exciting life experience, Albania is a country worth considering. It is an attractive, economical country, with friendly and safe people. Plus, there's a lot to discover.
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🔎 I am Gustavo Llusá, Argentine, after traveling for several years through more than 65 countries I settled in Latvia where I married Dace and learned to know another way of life, on the other side of the map.
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21 янв 2024
