The best part of your comments were at the last, when you spoke about the quality of your/your son's lives - that is worth far more than any dollar amount that you could attach to that - please continue to post - the rest of us who will "follow in your footsteps" can benefit from any input that you have - thank you!
When this video popped up in my feed, I vaguely remembered an expat named Patrick mentioning meeting a single mother with a teenager. I'm guessing that would be you. Future ex-Buckeye here. I hope to be following you over there when I get a few more loose ends tied up. Maybe not Albania as i have family in Spain, but we'll see. Best to you and your son.
@@bradleyharvey4250 hello fellow ex-Buckeye! Yes, the single mom that Patrick mentioned is me:) I wish you the best in your future travels! Spain looks so beautiful. Thank you for watching and commenting!
You can thank Patrick the next time you see him for mentioning you in one of his videos and then I happened to see a comment from you on his so I took a look at your channel. I have wanted to relocate to Italy but they make it almost impossible with their list of requirements so I am now seriously looking at Albania. Thank you for the very detailed breakdown! If you ever add an email I would love to ask you some questions or you can get my email from Patrick. I will follow your channel and then take a look at your other videos and start planning out a trip soon.
Good job. Essentially your expenses are ‘fixed’ and ‘variable’ in financial terms and it is always easy to adjust the variable ones, e.g., how much you eat out. Your rent is high but then I saw the vlog on the unit and it seems very new. I found similar 1 beds for about 500-550 USD converted from euros. Wondering if you found any open air markets? If so, do they present opportunities to shop more cheaply? Best wishes, and again, truly a very good job. Not many videos going into such detail. Maybe update which service providers you are using for mobile, gym etc.
Thank you so much for watching! Yes I agree, my rent is a little high. The things that seemed to affect the price the most were the extra bathroom, the newly remodeled furnishings, and the location. But if I rent again, I would try for a less expensive place. The open air markets are the best places to shop for food! I love that I can support the locals, get high quality ingredients and save money all at the same time. I try to shop at these as much as possible. That's a good idea, I'll make a note to do a video where I talk more about the providers we are using. Thanks for watching!
This break down analysis provides valuable insights for any individuals contemplating a similar path you have taken to better expose your son to other cultures. Having been raised by a single mother and my grandmother, I found great joy in traveling and residing in various places during my formative years. As I matured, my experiences abroad broadened my perspective, leading me to plan even more extensive travel whenever possible. I encourage other single parents to learn from your video and consider taking the initiative to replicate your experiences, even in a limited capacity, for the benefit of their children. It has a significant positive impact on them...
@@JayCWhiteCloud thank you so much for watching and taking the time to post this comment! Single parenting is so challenging, but I want other single parents to know that there are options to provide their children with some really amazing opportunities to broaden their perspectives, as you said.
Hi Andrea - appreciate this video. Am in the process of watching it and had a question about Genki. Have you had to file a claim yet? Am planning a sabbatical and Genki was one of the companies I was vetting. Initial research seemed positive but I started reading some reviews and became concerned by some of the negative reports. Just curious about your experience. Thank you.
@@ExpatSingleMom I had lunch with my lawyer today. He knows quite a bit about the area. Knowing me, he thinks I would love it. South Florida has outgrown everything that was once pleasant about it.
@ agreed. I’m a Floridian myself. I always feel heartbroken when I visit the areas I used to love down there. There’s a lot to love about Albania, but it is a little rough around the edges. But I don’t mind. The pros outweigh the cons, in my opinion
@@ExpatSingleMomUnfortunately, while South Florida has grown and become impossibly expensive for average working people, the social element has become more "rough around the edges." We have a lot of bad tempers, bad attitudes and more criminals per square mile. Our grocery costs are some of the highest on the East Coast. I'm not poor by any means but I'm not wasting my money on going out to restaurants anymore. Plus this heavy rain just won't stop, almost all year now. Sorry to dump all this here but of course if I was happy here I wouldn't be looking abroad.
@@ExpatSingleMom If I may ask, how are the winters there? Seems to be the same latitude as Boston. I read there is a lot of rain and rather low temperatures.
@@jp5047-r7s good question. The answer is: no more than I worried about hurricanes when I lived on the cost of Florida or tornadoes when I lived in Wisconsin. I know it can happen, but I can’t live in fear. Thanks for asking my thoughts!
New sub here! Found you via Patrick's channel! What airline did you use where they would allow your dog(I am sorry your pup passed away)? I am coming from Florida to Albania with 2 cats. Thank you!
@@vintageshabbyglamour7865 thank you for your kind words and for subscribing! I miss my little doggo 😔 We took Turkish and I actually would not recommend them for traveling with pets. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the amount of space they give your pet it several inches smaller than other airlines. (Unless the pets are going in cargo). But as far as the cabin goes, it’s was barely big enough for my dog that was 4.1 lbs. smaller than most cats. I recommend checking the allowed dimensions for cabin pets.
There is also a 9ish day transatlantic cruise that leaves from New York that allows pets- the Queen Mary 2. They have to be held in cargo, but they allow you to come see them whenever (especially to let them out for potty breaks).
Hi, Thanks I love your videos and your adventure moving to Albania. Working on it myself. I also write for Business Insider and would like to write about your journey. Would you be interested?
I work remotely for a US based company. So I will have to pay taxes to both the USA and Albania. This is something I will talk about in an upcoming video. I currently do marketing and administration full time.
@@ExpatSingleMom I would like to know how is the internet service? Is it fast enough for you guys and reliable? Also what measures have you taken in case you lose your job? Will you be able to quickly find another job that pays comparatively to this one and lets you work from overseas? Your location in Tirana is pretty close to the center of the city but if you look for an apartment outside of the big ring (that's Astir neighborhood for example or close to the Tirana river, not Lana) you can find a better apartment for $400 - $500 per month but you would be far from the park and the great walking areas and attractions. Also want to know what is your son's day to day like there, how does he spend his time, is he enjoying it? Where does he study or work? Is he able to make friends there?
@@ExpatSingleMom Taxes paid abroad are supposed to be deducted from US taxes on income. But I don't think you pay taxes for foreign income in Albania, only from domestic earnings.
The best part of your comments were at the last, when you spoke about the quality of your/your son's lives - that is worth far more than any dollar amount that you could attach to that - please continue to post - the rest of us who will "follow in your footsteps" can benefit from any input that you have - thank you!
Very informative. Thank you.
When this video popped up in my feed, I vaguely remembered an expat named Patrick mentioning meeting a single mother with a teenager. I'm guessing that would be you.
Future ex-Buckeye here. I hope to be following you over there when I get a few more loose ends tied up.
Maybe not Albania as i have family in Spain, but we'll see. Best to you and your son.
@@bradleyharvey4250 hello fellow ex-Buckeye! Yes, the single mom that Patrick mentioned is me:) I wish you the best in your future travels! Spain looks so beautiful. Thank you for watching and commenting!
You can thank Patrick the next time you see him for mentioning you in one of his videos and then I happened to see a comment from you on his so I took a look at your channel. I have wanted to relocate to Italy but they make it almost impossible with their list of requirements so I am now seriously looking at Albania. Thank you for the very detailed breakdown! If you ever add an email I would love to ask you some questions or you can get my email from Patrick. I will follow your channel and then take a look at your other videos and start planning out a trip soon.
Good job. Essentially your expenses are ‘fixed’ and ‘variable’ in financial terms and it is always easy to adjust the variable ones, e.g., how much you eat out. Your rent is high but then I saw the vlog on the unit and it seems very new. I found similar 1 beds for about 500-550 USD converted from euros. Wondering if you found any open air markets? If so, do they present opportunities to shop more cheaply? Best wishes, and again, truly a very good job. Not many videos going into such detail. Maybe update which service providers you are using for mobile, gym etc.
Thank you so much for watching! Yes I agree, my rent is a little high. The things that seemed to affect the price the most were the extra bathroom, the newly remodeled furnishings, and the location. But if I rent again, I would try for a less expensive place. The open air markets are the best places to shop for food! I love that I can support the locals, get high quality ingredients and save money all at the same time. I try to shop at these as much as possible. That's a good idea, I'll make a note to do a video where I talk more about the providers we are using. Thanks for watching!
This break down analysis provides valuable insights for any individuals contemplating a similar path you have taken to better expose your son to other cultures. Having been raised by a single mother and my grandmother, I found great joy in traveling and residing in various places during my formative years. As I matured, my experiences abroad broadened my perspective, leading me to plan even more extensive travel whenever possible. I encourage other single parents to learn from your video and consider taking the initiative to replicate your experiences, even in a limited capacity, for the benefit of their children. It has a significant positive impact on them...
@@JayCWhiteCloud thank you so much for watching and taking the time to post this comment! Single parenting is so challenging, but I want other single parents to know that there are options to provide their children with some really amazing opportunities to broaden their perspectives, as you said.
Hi Andrea - appreciate this video. Am in the process of watching it and had a question about Genki. Have you had to file a claim yet? Am planning a sabbatical and Genki was one of the companies I was vetting. Initial research seemed positive but I started reading some reviews and became concerned by some of the negative reports. Just curious about your experience. Thank you.
Awesome breakdown! And like you said on top of saving your traveling and enjoying life now. Great video !
@@patrickoverseas I can’t put a price on how much that’s worth to us:)
Thanks for the video. That better food quality and better quality of life seems to be in every video about Tirana.
@@djtommykeys you’re welcome and agreed! The lower stress levels are so nice:)
@@ExpatSingleMom I had lunch with my lawyer today. He knows quite a bit about the area. Knowing me, he thinks I would love it. South Florida has outgrown everything that was once pleasant about it.
@ agreed. I’m a Floridian myself. I always feel heartbroken when I visit the areas I used to love down there. There’s a lot to love about Albania, but it is a little rough around the edges. But I don’t mind. The pros outweigh the cons, in my opinion
@@ExpatSingleMomUnfortunately, while South Florida has grown and become impossibly expensive for average working people, the social element has become more "rough around the edges." We have a lot of bad tempers, bad attitudes and more criminals per square mile. Our grocery costs are some of the highest on the East Coast. I'm not poor by any means but I'm not wasting my money on going out to restaurants anymore. Plus this heavy rain just won't stop, almost all year now. Sorry to dump all this here but of course if I was happy here I wouldn't be looking abroad.
@@ExpatSingleMom If I may ask, how are the winters there? Seems to be the same latitude as Boston. I read there is a lot of rain and rather low temperatures.
Wow, that's eye opening... great comparison!
@@markmurray6449 thank you for watching!
Can you please list a link for where you purchased your insurance and also the name of the gym - thanks!
@@karlaelvis9815 i got our insurance from Genki.world and I will have to ask my son what the name of the gym is. I can’t find a listing for it.
Love the spread-sheets. Curious, do you worry about earthquakes there?
@@jp5047-r7s good question. The answer is: no more than I worried about hurricanes when I lived on the cost of Florida or tornadoes when I lived in Wisconsin. I know it can happen, but I can’t live in fear. Thanks for asking my thoughts!
Fellow Buckeye, happy to follow.
@@jenniferwise7975 hello fellow buckeye! How’s Ohio? We will be visiting in a few weeks.
@@ExpatSingleMom The weather is beautiful this time of year.
@@jenniferwise7975 I hope we can catch the leaves changing when we visit Ohio next month 😍
New sub here! Found you via Patrick's channel! What airline did you use where they would allow your dog(I am sorry your pup passed away)? I am coming from Florida to Albania with 2 cats. Thank you!
@@vintageshabbyglamour7865 thank you for your kind words and for subscribing! I miss my little doggo 😔 We took Turkish and I actually would not recommend them for traveling with pets. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the amount of space they give your pet it several inches smaller than other airlines. (Unless the pets are going in cargo). But as far as the cabin goes, it’s was barely big enough for my dog that was 4.1 lbs. smaller than most cats. I recommend checking the allowed dimensions for cabin pets.
There is also a 9ish day transatlantic cruise that leaves from New York that allows pets- the Queen Mary 2. They have to be held in cargo, but they allow you to come see them whenever (especially to let them out for potty breaks).
@ thank you so much for this information! I’m making note of this for the future.
@@virsapiensfortisest922good info. I’m considering moving from the states and I have a medium size parrot. I wonder about bringing her.
What about the monthly income tax? You will have to pay 15% income tax as well if you stay over 183 days/yr. I believe it's payable monthly?
@@ShawnWalker-jv1rg Taxes are taken out of utilities
Rent is different on budget from actual - $865 vs. $856.
@@lindadorman2869 thanks for pointing that out!!
i like u albania 🇦🇱❤️👍
😀
Hi, Thanks I love your videos and your adventure moving to Albania. Working on it myself.
I also write for Business Insider and would like to write about your journey. Would you be interested?
@@MotivatedActionGroup sure that would be great :)
u like work there or just have a passive income or sum?
I work remotely for a US based company. So I will have to pay taxes to both the USA and Albania. This is something I will talk about in an upcoming video. I currently do marketing and administration full time.
@@ExpatSingleMom cool, good job for being able to live like that with your son too. hope those taxes doesnt hurt that much.
@@kowalski7126 thank you so much :) 🫶
@@ExpatSingleMom I would like to know how is the internet service? Is it fast enough for you guys and reliable? Also what measures have you taken in case you lose your job? Will you be able to quickly find another job that pays comparatively to this one and lets you work from overseas?
Your location in Tirana is pretty close to the center of the city but if you look for an apartment outside of the big ring (that's Astir neighborhood for example or close to the Tirana river, not Lana) you can find a better apartment for $400 - $500 per month but you would be far from the park and the great walking areas and attractions. Also want to know what is your son's day to day like there, how does he spend his time, is he enjoying it? Where does he study or work? Is he able to make friends there?
@@ExpatSingleMom Taxes paid abroad are supposed to be deducted from US taxes on income. But I don't think you pay taxes for foreign income in Albania, only from domestic earnings.