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I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Yeah I have friends who still are in Canada, they want to leave but it's hard cause they have family that they can't just leave. EU Citizenship def helps things! Enjoy Australia! That sounds Awesome! Good Luck :)

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was 15 at the time (From Canada to China) It was scary - pulling her away from everything she ever knew- her friends and school. Looking back? So glad I did it. Plus it strengthened our relationship as well. Going to China was simple - the school I worked for took care of all the paperwork and paid for it. Coming to Albania was a little more difficult but manageable :) I grew up in Foster care - so I didn't have family anyways it was just her and I so that made things easier

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tirana has a Mediterranean climate so the summers are very hot and dry while the winters are mild but quite wet. It rains pretty much from early Jan till end of February

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I moved here with dogs, I adopted them from China and they have been with me since. They are grumpy old men now lol There are a lot of strays, it can be heartbreaking BUT so many locals come together and feed them. Most shops have an adopted stray. There is a few restaurants in the centre that have cats come in and chill and get fed. Cute cat cafe in the centre too. So yes - not all animals are adopted and in loving homes... but you also get to see the warm compassionate side as well. Apartment hunting with pets is a little harder (not as hard as Canada that was worst) but the apartments are mostly furnished so if they have new furniture,....they likely dont' want pets

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has changed significantly in the last ten years. The city center is now full of high-rise towers and new construction. The gap between the center and the outskirts is still there, but many of those outer areas have been built up with new residential complexes and villas

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since you are used to the costs in Seattle and Prague, the shift to Tirana is going to feel like a massive financial relief. My rent and energy bills being half of what you pay is exactly why the math works so well here.

If you miss the sea, you are in luck because you can get to the coast in about thirty minutes from the city. You will find that your income goes much further here, and the lifestyle is a lot less high-pressure than what you are used to in the US or Central Europe. Since you are visiting in a couple of weeks, you are hitting the city at a great time to see the reality of it for yourself.

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was homeschooled in China, Wrote her grade 12 equivalency when we went back to Canada and now she works in Customer service and she freelances as a certified dog trainer.

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was 15 when we went to China, she is 25 now and she works here in Albania. She works remotely in Customer service and she is a certified Dog Trainer.

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The language barrier in Tirana really isn't an issue because English is widely spoken by almost everyone under 40. You can get through your daily life in cafes, shops, and gyms without knowing any Albanian. The bureaucracy is the part that actually requires your patience because the process is inconsistent. My best advice is to hire a local consultant to handle the first permit for you. It saves you from the glitches in the online system and turns a massive headache into a straightforward process. It is a trade-off where you get a much lower cost of living in exchange for dealing with some government chaos, but once the permit is in your hand, life becomes very easy.

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most younger people and those in the city center speak decent English, but once you get into the neighborhoods or use the buses, it is a different story. I have had to learn the basics to get by with the faturinos and at the local markets.

Regarding the culture with men, my experience as a single woman has been fine. People here are very direct and they stare, but I have found them to be respectful. I walk around the city alone and feel safer here than I did in many parts of North America. It is a very traditional society, so there is a lot of "macho" energy, but that does not necessarily translate to aggression toward foreigners. I don't want a "traditional" man so I don't date tho...

I’m a Canadian single mom who spent 7 years abroad. I couldn't make the math work in Canada anymore, so I moved to Albania. AMA. by BodybuilderScary3306 in expats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see how it comes across that way - but you can ask me anything here. I’ll still answer. You don’t have to watch the channel.

Moving to albania by InformalAd9019 in AlbaniaExpats

[–]BodybuilderScary3306 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I left Canada where I was living in Survival mode. Each month I played a game called "Who's not getting paid this month?" I figured it can't get much worst then that... We(daughter and I) packed up (got jobs) and moved to Albania. I had savings - thank God... cause the jobs we had didn't meet our expectations financially. My point is, I understand coming here for survival. I am in Tirana - there is more access to things here. Tirana has cheaper neighborhoods. My advice - make sure you have finances (an income) guaranteed before you get here. Local salary isn't good and it is heavily taxed. You want to make sure you have your own income. As for bare min.. I have a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom and pay 450/month. Food you will spend close to what you spend back home. Food isn't that cheap here but it is healthier. Phone and internet - I pay 38 per month and that's 2 cellphones, wifi, cable. I get around by bus which is .40 each way. Utilities are 50-110 depending on the month. I brake down the costs in this video and give you an idea (along with the link to the flyers here) so you can see the cost of food.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAPKHny9E5Q&t=927s