I came to Albania for 3 months. That was 438 days ago.
My love affair with this country began with a near-disaster in Tirana – getting scammed for €50 by a taxi driver who swore his meter was “broken like my heart.” But then something unexpected happened…
These 5 cities didn’t just shelter me. They rewrote my definition of home.
1. Tirana: The Chaotic Love Affair
My First Week From Hell
- Paid €800 for a “luxury studio” that turned out to be a converted parking space
- Got stuck in an elevator for 47 minutes (made friends with the repairman’s cousin)
- Cried over spilled raki at 3am
Why I Stayed
The madness makes sense after month two. Now I:
Found Space Co-working where Serbian coders and Italian bakers brainstorm over free fig jam
Pay €350/month for a sun-drenched 1-bed near Blloku’s cafés
Know which furgon drivers sell the best byrek through windows (Shpresa’s spinach is life)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 24/7 energy | Noisy AF after midnight |
| 50+ coworking spaces | Summer heat melts WiFi |
| Everything deliverable | Bureaucracy whiplash |
2. Vlorë: Where the Sea Whispers ‘Slow
The Breakup Letter I Never Sent
“Dear Tirana, I need space. You’re too loud, too fast, too much. I’ve moved to Vlorë where the Ionian soothes my screen-strained eyes…”
3. Sarandë: The Greek Island Alternative
My Summer Fling
I came for 2 weeks. Stayed 4 months. Because:
- 6am Magic: Work from Butrint Cafe as Corfu glows pink across the channel
- €15 Boat Offices: Day-trip to Ksamil islands with waterproof laptop case
- Winter Ghost Town: November-April rents drop 60% (perfect for writers)
Shocking Truth
The “luxury marina” projects? Mostly unfinished. But who cares when you’re coding from a €10/day beach cabana?
4. Shkodër: Where Time Floats Like Lake Water
The Productivity Experiment
I spent June working:
- Dawn: Kayak desk sessions (€4/hr rental)
- Noon: Wanderers Hostel garden (mulberry shade + strong WiFi)
- Dusk: Rozafa Castle Zoom calls (epic backdrops)
Why Creatives Thrive Here
Cheap Living: €380 gets a lake-view apartment
Slow Pace: No pressure to “hustle”
Artistic Community: Musicians jam in ruined factories
5. Berat: The Ottoman Time Capsule
Right Column
My COVID Sanctuary
When lockdowns hit, I rented a 300-year-old house for €400/month. Worked from:
- Mangalem Stairs: Stone steps became my office
- Antigoni’s Winery: Paid for WiFi in poetry
- Gorica Quarter: Bridge views inspired my best work
Secret Perk
The chickens at Berat Backpackers are better coworkers than my old NYC team.
The Raw Truth About Albanian City Life
“In Tirana I lost my patience. In Shkodër I found my pace. In Berat I discovered time travel.”
Unexpected Challenges
- Power Cuts: Bought a solar charger (now my most prized possession)
- Language Barriers: Google Translate won’t help with elderly neighbors’ curses
- Healthcare: Found one English-speaking dentist (pray you don’t need her)
Which City Suits You?
| Personality | Best City | Try This |
|---|---|---|
| Type-A CEO | Tirana | SpacE Coworking |
| Burnout Healer | Vlorë | Sunrise swim + Boulevard |
| Creative Nomad | Shkodër | Lake kayak office |
| History Buff | Berat | Winery WiFi sessions |
| Budget Beach Bum | Sarandë | Winter rental deals |
Home isn’t a place. It’s the Albanian city that finally understands you.
