Expat couple gets a fresh start in Albania

Can you tell us about you and your background?

My name is Anna, and I am 44 years old. I am married, and we have two children aged 17 and 21. Before coming to Albania, I used to live in the province of Lecco, in Italy. 

In November 2021, during a short but intense vacation, my husband, my son and I visited the city of Durrës, and we fell in love with it. Life there was much cheaper than in the province we came from, but the best part was the quality of life there, which, in our opinion, was much better.

So, we looked for a house, assessed the available job opportunities, and on December 27, 2021, we loaded our car and moved to Durrës.

Why did you choose Albania, and especially Durres?  

One of the reasons we relocated was, without a doubt, the crisis triggered by the pandemic, which not only lasted two years and resulted in job losses but also caused human relations to deteriorate.

In 2015, when the company where I was working an administrative employee closed down, I could not find a job. After 15 years in my position, I had to take several temporary jobs as a manual worker, and as a maintenance person in a nursing home and ended up unable to find a full-time job. I applied for all kinds of positions, but the answer was always the same: too "old" or too senior to be hired.

Around September 2021, together with my husband, who is an IT entrepreneur, we started to consider which countries we could move to in order to start over. This was due to the relentless pressure in Italy, the scarcity of new clients for him and the lack of prospects for me. We wanted to start all over again while remaining close to Italy, where we left a piece of our heart.

After serious evaluation, we chose Albania, mainly because the language was not a significant barrier. In addition, the climate is pleasant, the cost of living is low, and it is easy to move in there from Italy. We also believe that it is a country in full swing.

We did not choose Durrës randomly. It's a beautiful city, which offers many facilities and is located by the sea. We also considered Saranda, but we quickly ruled it out because of the language and the fact that it was primarily a tourist destination.

How did you find your current job?

A week after our relocation, during a conversation with an acquaintance, I asked if there was any chance for someone of my age (44 years old!) and with my CV, to find a job. She then offered me to join her staff as an administrative employee.

As the company I work for is Albanian but deals with Italy, my good knowledge of the language and the operative processes involved was very helpful.

How does the cost of living in Durrës compare to Italy?

Life in Durrës is definitely cheaper than in Italy, and I also feel that the city has much more to offer. The cost of renting accommodation varies depending on the area where you live and the size of the house. You have to expect a minimum of 200 to 350 euros for at least 100 square meters. In Italy, it would have been at least 700 euros per month, sometimes even more. Regarding electricity and water bills, I think we pay around €80-100 per month.

As for food, you can find Italian products in all stores and supermarkets. Fruits and vegetables are cheap and, at the same time, very tasty. The same goes for fish and meat. You just have to search a bit. Of course, you won't find the usual Italian cuts, but with a lot of imagination, you can make anything, and it's very good.

What does your typical day in Durrës look like?

I get up, go to the café for breakfast, work from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with a 40-minute lunch break, then I go home. We go out for dinner two/three times a week, meet up with friends we have made in Durrës, or with neighbors.

How do you like to spend your free time in Durrës?

We spend most of our free time walking around the city center or in Plazh, by the sea. Then, when summer is here, we prefer to go elsewhere because there are other beautiful locations to visit.

In which language do you communicate at work? Did you have to learn Albanian?

Luckily or not, I only speak Italian. And in the office, everyone speaks and understands it just as well. But learning English isn't that bad either. Speaking Albanian is not essential, but I think it's a good idea to learn it since we live and work here.

It's been nearly a year since you moved in from Italy. Are you happy with your choice?

I never thought I could make such a change; if I could go back in time, I would have done it sooner. I miss my children and close friends in Italy, but I have no regrets for anything else.

For those who want to retire in Albania, Durrës is the ideal place. Even with a minimum wage, one can have a better life. On the other hand, for those who are thinking of working here, it is worth mentioning that life can get difficult because of the very low wages. But things can change, especially if you start your own business and work not only for the Albanian market but also for international companies. If Albanians flee this country, it is not without reason.

With such beautiful houses, we Italians must say that we have a good life except for the heating system, which is different here. We must get stoves or air conditioners because the winter here is harsh.

Albania is often described by Albanian immigrants as a dirty old country where crime is rampant and where it is impossible to live. But that is not totally true! You can walk down the street without any problem, and the stores and restaurants are clean and almost brand new. Rome or Naples, for example, have more garbage in the streets than here. It feels like living in southern Italy, where people open their doors and welcome you like family.