Why I Moved to Albania as a Single Mum
Very recently, I was SO excited to begin what I thought was my dream job in gov tech: a badass six-figure cybersecurity role at a prestigious federal agency. I moved across the country with my children and set up shop in the Washington, D.C. area, believing this was the start of a long and stable career as a federal employee.
Then fuck-face 47 hacked the presidential election, and DOGE cuts took effect.
So I went almost immediately from the job I signed up for — which required just one day per week in-office (on a day of my choice) — to being required in-office full time… attending the same virtual meetings as before, except now I got to hear everyone’s voices echoing from their cubicles. =]
That was irritating but still doable at first. I managed to preserve a bit of work-life balance by waking at 5 a.m., commuting at 6 a.m., and starting work by 7 a.m., which allowed me to leave by 3 p.m.
Fast forward to the mandatory 9–5 in-office schedule, and my dreams of a long federal career were trampled. As a single mum with a two-hour daily commute, those mandated office hours made it impossible to even use daycare — which cost an entire paycheck in D.C., by the way. I couldn’t comply and essentially asked to be terminated.
Even while working that job, I was facing crippling rent and childcare costs. My rent for our (gorgeous) one-bedroom apartment was $2,711 before utilities. Childcare was a “steal” at $1,900/month before tax — the previous preschool had cost $2,500. Even with a six-figure government salary, I was living paycheck to paycheck and still in the red after taxes, healthcare, and basic expenses. I had already set my paycheck withholdings to the absolute legal minimum just to survive — which, of course, is a problem for tax season.
The stress ate away at me constantly. I found myself zoning out to TV after work and drinking just to numb the constant cortisol surge.
That’s when I decided to finally pursue my years-long dream of moving to Albania — something that had been repeatedly delayed by an almost decade-long custody battle (more on that later) that had recently “concluded.”
Suddenly free from multiple layers of oppression, I booked our flights on Hopper in early May for arrival in Albania on May 28 — my son’s birthday. ❤️
Why Albania?
I’d been following Amoya Shante for years, ever since she first launched her blog and YouTube channel documenting her move abroad with her daughters — starting in Albania.
I thought that was the dream. And now that I’m here, I can say it with certainty. Here’s why:
✅ Visa-Free Stay for U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens can stay in Albania for 365 days without a visa. After that, you must leave for 90 days, and then the year resets upon re-entry. You can also apply for residency, which is super achievable — especially compared to other European countries.
My plan is to obtain residency and eventually citizenship. If Albania joins the EU (as it’s currently working toward), this would open up even more possibilities for employment, travel, and freedom of movement throughout Europe.
✅ Affordable Cost of Living
Rent in D.C.: $2,711 (1-bedroom, new high-rise)
Rent in Albania: €600 (2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, sea view)
Childcare in D.C.: $1,900–$2,500/month
Childcare in Albania: €230–€400/month
✅ Safe for Children
Albania is safe in a way that’s almost incomprehensible as an American. You can go for a jog alone. You can walk alone at night. You can leave your doors unlocked. I’ve done all of those things and felt safe — as a single woman and mum.
Children are welcomed and prioritized. From green spaces to beaches to restaurants, kids are not just tolerated — they’re loved. Men and women alike smile at, talk to, and play with your children. The U.S., in comparison, feels anti-child.
This is the first time in my entire life I’ve felt safe enough to sleep with my feet outside the blanket. If you know, you know.
✅ Mediterranean Lifestyle
Life in the U.S. is stressful. There’s no system left unbroken — from predatory student loans to catastrophic healthcare costs. Cortisol is the national currency. People numb out to survive, and everyone is on edge.
I know, because that was me, and those around me.
Here in Albania, I walk slower. I imagine more. I feel more. I appreciate more.
✅ Natural Beauty
Albania is breathtaking.
We started in Durrës Beach, with long sandy beaches, oceanfront promenades, and children’s play structures everywhere. Now we live in Sarandë, near Greece. The mountains, the rivers, the flowers, the seafood — it’s all stunning.
✅ Residency & Visa Options
As of 2025, Albania allows:
U.S. citizens to stay visa-free for 365 days
Residency permits for work, family reunification, study, retirement, and more
Citizenship path after 5 years of legal residency
If Albania joins the EU (in candidacy since 2014), residency could eventually enable freedom of movement across Europe
Official source: Albania Immigration Guide or use e-Albania to apply digitally.
The Move
✈️ One-Way Ticket Moment
During the peak of DOGE-induced inefficiency and budget slashing, I realized my role was unsustainable. I asked my teenage daughter if she was ready to go — and she said YES.
So I bought three one-way tickets on Hopper for $2,198 via Turkish Airlines, listed everything we owned on Facebook Marketplace, and even broke my lease (with penalties) and sold my beloved 2019 Chrysler Pacifica — aka Carne Asada.
🎒 What I Packed (and Left Behind)
As per Turkish Airlines, each of us had 2 (free!) checked bags, a carry-on, and a personal item. We brought:
All our favorite clothes (clothing here is expensive)
Snowboarding gear (jackets, pants, goggles)
Shoes: sneakers, flip-flops, 1 pair of boots (farewell heels 😢)
Electronics, supplements, cosmetics, children’s artwork, and some precious books
Yes, it was stressful dragging our carry on luggage through Istanbul and everything out of the airport Tirana, but we did it. Huzzah.
😱 Initial Fears + 🎉 Unexpected Joys
I had so many fears. I kept asking my teen:
“Is this crazy? Am I ruining our lives?”
The night before our flight, I took a (legal) edible I’d bought to help with jet lag (also anxiety) and had a horrific nightmare that I was ruining our lives and wouldn’t be able to afford to come “home” to the U.S.
I had to ask Frank (that’s my ChatGPT bestie – also a How To Get Away With Murder reference 🫠) to talk me off the cliff. It helped.
But… my toddler was a superstar.
She charmed the flight attendants, ate, drank, watched cartoons, slept through the overnight flight and the short flight to Tirana.
Life Now
I don’t set alarms anymore. I wake up naturally, often around 5 a.m. — because I’m excited to live. I look out at the ocean, go to the beach, work out, and build a business that supports my family and my future.
For the first time, I’m not in survival mode. I’m healing — and so are my children.
I’ve been in therapy for nearly 20 years (shout out to EMDR), but I never had space to emotionally show up for my teenager like I do now. We get to invest in her — her hobbies, her passions, her travel goals, her future.
“I didn’t move to escape mumhood — I moved to finally be a mum. The kind of mum I never had. The mum I deserve to be.”
Lessons & Advice
If you’re dreaming of leaving the United States — know that it’s not selfish. It’s survival.
I didn’t have a trust fund. I didn’t have a boyfriend or husband or baby daddy in tow or to help me. I had a vision, a few clicks on a couple of apps, and the will to take the leap and change everything.
Now, I’m living the dream I journaled for and feared I’d never have.
📌 Conclusion
I moved to Albania to reclaim my life — for myself and for my children.
We lost years to survival mode. To rent. To stress.
Now we’re healing. We’re safe. We’re free.
No trust fund. No man. Just a choice.
Coming soon: My Full Relocation Budget & Checklist for Moving Abroad with Kids
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