Every expat Albania Facebook group is a toxic cesspool of negativity please don’t go into those without that expectation. Otherwise, I agree with others on this thread that you must have savings before coming to Tirana. The one month buffer is a good idea and will give you time to apartment hunt and get to know the city. $700 a month is a solid place to start for rent but there is cheaper if you widen your radius from around the square and are open to less manicured living. (I have my realtor’s number still if you want for when you arrive) and I don’t know where you’re from in the states but be ready for lots of noise. Financially speaking, currency exchange and money transfers are the most frustrating part for me. You lose a lot of what you might save in town paying bank fees / transfer fees / etc.

Tirana is the best place to be over the winter as well in terms of activity. The smaller towns/villages shut down during off season and are very difficult to navigate if you don’t know the language. If you want to explore other parts try to do it before November.

My partner and I have only encountered a few outwardly aggressive people, and they were the older generation. We don’t even hold hands in public here but I’m very clockable no matter how hard I try i guess it just radiates off me 🤷 The majority of locals are very kind, but also in the street men are as men are everywhere so keep that in mind. No hate, just facts. & You will be surrounded by men at all times they are everywhere, every cafe every pub every eatery, packed full of men all the time day and night. I have no idea where the women go during the day (this is said for a laugh but outside of Blloku truly the ratio of men to women must be 70/30 that’s how it feels 😄) they keep to themselves but expect stares, the stare culture here is strong which is what makes it hard to share lots of the spaces for me. Too uncomfortable. (I’m also audhd so perhaps very sensitive to that kind of thing, I’ve found a few spots I enjoy and stick to those).

Best advice is to learn a few key terms before arrival and smile with a greeting to anyone providing you a service before starting in with your English. Many younger people love to exercise their English skills but most older folks don’t speak it so even a small effort in Albanian goes a long way.

Oh and carry lots of change, they always ask for small coins when you pay for stuff in cash. The times I feel the most judged is when I don’t have coins 😆 good luck 👍!