I help Americans move abroad—the No. 1 overlooked country in Europe

Like many Americans, I had always dreamed up moving to Europe. And in 2015, at 35, I decided to leave Texas for Spain.

Two years later, I founded She Hit Refresh, a community that helps women over 30 take the leap abroad. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of women build new lives in countries like Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The most popular destinations among the women I work with tend to have warm weather and flexible visa options. Spain and Portugal top the list because they’re relatively affordable for Western Europe, enjoy a relaxed pace of life, and have residency pathways that don’t require you to be independently wealthy or retired. 

One country that few Americans could probably find on a map, let alone consider moving to, is Albania. But that’s changing. 

In recent years, I kept hearing about Albania from members of my community. A handful had moved there and couldn’t stop raving about it. Intrigued, I spent a month in Albania in 2024, mainly in the capital, Tirana, and along the coast. I wanted to see what the buzz was about, and what I found truly surprised me.

Albania may not be for everyone — no place is — but for many Americans dreaming of a soft landing, it checks a lot of boxes. Here’s why I consider it the No. 1 overlooked destination in Europe for those hoping to relocate from the U.S.:

Take Cheryl Orlov, who moved from Redondo Beach, California, to Tirana. “Even though the cost of living is rising in Tirana, it’s still a fraction of what I paid in California,” she told me. Her rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Tirana, for example, is less than one sixth of what she’d been paying for a two-bedroom cottage in Redondo Beach before she left California in 2023.

Groceries, dining out, and healthcare are also much more affordable. For digital nomads and retirees alike, Albania offers a quality of life that’s increasingly out of reach in many U.S. cities.

One of Albania’s biggest advantages is that Americans can live there visa-free for up to 12 months, a rare benefit in Europe.

You can hop on a plane tonight and start your new life in Albania tomorrow, no paperwork required. This makes it ideal for those who want to “test drive” life abroad without navigating complex visa systems.

While in Tirana, I met with Denisa Kaca Bradley, founder of Expats in Albania, to learn more about immigration options. She explained that while staying beyond a year does require paperwork, it’s possible and her organization helps newcomers with the process. 

At her weekly meetups, I met dozens of Americans: solo women, couples, and families. Many use Albania as a stepping stone. They stay for a year or two before moving on to another part of Europe once they’ve figured out the visa situation elsewhere. Others choose to stay long-term.

Until the early 1990s, Albania was largely closed off to the world under a communist regime. Tourism has only really picked up in the last decade or so. As a result, Albania still feels authentically Albanian.

At the same time, Albanians are notably welcoming of Americans, something that surprised many expats I spoke with. The pro-America sentiment and friendliness to expats makes it easier for newcomers to feel at home and connect with the local community.

In cities like Tirana and coastal towns like Vlorë, there’s also a growing number of foreigners putting down roots. Like Monica Miranda, an American who moved from Jersey City, New Jersey to Vlorë at 43 with her dog. “I didn’t know much about Albania,” she told me. “But the moment I arrived, something clicked. One month turned into two.” Monica has now lived in Albania for nearly two years and recently received her five-year residency card.

“I’ve built a supportive community of expats from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Latin America,” she said. “We catch up a few times a week. It’s been an incredibly grounding experience.”

It may not be the first country that comes to mind, but for many Americans I’ve met, Albania has become the right place at the right time. 

Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a community and resource platform that helps women aged 30+ move abroad, and the author of “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe.” As the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before becoming an immigrant herself in Spain.

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