2 ай бұрын
2 ай бұрын
2 ай бұрын
2 ай бұрын
2 ай бұрын
3 ай бұрын
3 ай бұрын
3 ай бұрын
3 ай бұрын
4 ай бұрын
Пікірлер
@christinel1530 Күн бұрын
Did you move from US with your cat? Asking as we woukd be moving with cats and a dog. Wondering how difficult it was? Thanks!
@michaelshepardson8436 Күн бұрын
Subscribed to support the Expat Single Mom's of the world :-)
@mikeg.9008 3 күн бұрын
👍👍
@Kazzia70 4 күн бұрын
How do you transfer US dollars to LEK? Did you open a bank account in Albania? Will US Bank transfer money to it?
@TravisArthurParishT.A.P 4 күн бұрын
So the balkan breakfast meme is true
@ExpatSingleMom 4 күн бұрын
haha, it is:) I had a traditional Balkan breakfast at a hotel in Pogrdec, and it was basically this.
@entitysmiles9605 5 күн бұрын
Love the aesthetic
@ExpatSingleMom 4 күн бұрын
they really did a nice job
@mikeg.9008 5 күн бұрын
👍
@patrickoverseas 5 күн бұрын
Give me the fried octopus !
@ExpatSingleMom 5 күн бұрын
@@patrickoverseas i would but I ate it
@patrickoverseas 5 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom lmao
@karlaelvis9815 7 күн бұрын
Great news that you are loving life - thanks for the additional info for those who will come after you. I have a couple questions - is Tirana "noisy at night"? What is the air quality? Are the a bunch of feral "community dogs"? (I have seen this in other videos) - thanks!
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@karlaelvis9815 sometimes the noise drives me crazy and other times it doesn’t. I feel like the nights are pretty quiet, especially now that the touristy season is over. And especially after midnight. I hear some noise during the day that will bother me a bit while I’m working. Sometime people just honk and lay on the horn for so long. When we first got here, I felt like the morning traffic was super noisy. But that seems to have subsided. I’m guessing because the tourists are gone. The air quality is so-so. It’s not horrible for a dense city. I looked at some air quality maps and it isn’t as bad as people say. I had a lot more trouble with my lungs feeling irritated living in the suburbs of Ohio. And yes there are lots of community dogs and cats. I thought this would bother me more, but the locals tend to be very kind to them and the animals seem to be well fed. I never see the dogs bothering people at restaurants or anywhere for that matter. I have seen them lay down next to people at cafes just because they wanted to get petted. I came across a very large stray dog while hiking in the woods and I got scared, I just calmly passed him and he didn’t even seem to care that I was there. I’ve never seen one act aggressively
@karlaelvis9815 7 күн бұрын
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!
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@karlaelvis9815 I completely agree! Our improved quality of life is absolutely priceless. ♥️🇦🇱🙏🏼 I have endless gratitude for Albania
@karlaelvis9815 8 күн бұрын
Can you please list a link for where you purchased your insurance and also the name of the gym - thanks!
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@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.
@padmasalam5267 8 күн бұрын
Compared to Russia, food is loads more expensive in Albania. Oh well! It is what it is…….
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@padmasalam5267 that’s interesting, I don’t realize that! I’m also in the most expensive city in Albania. The rest of the country has lower prices.
@2msgrateful726 8 күн бұрын
Shalom, In Yahshua the Messiah's name. How is the drinking water there?
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@2msgrateful726 I’ve heard mixed reviews about the tap water. I have occasionally drank small amounts or cooked with it and been fine. But some people say not too. So we tend to buy water
@2msgrateful726 7 күн бұрын
@ExpatSingleMom Thank you 😊
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@ you’re welcome!
@RenatoGambino-i8w 8 күн бұрын
Albanian people are a suffering people and they know whether a person is good or bad without speaking at all
@RenatoGambino-i8w 8 күн бұрын
go to Valbone, tropjaa travel every summer for 3 weeks a year and eat only wild blueberries and fill your lungs with clean air u gona feal u long going better.
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@RenatoGambino-i8w I found it on the map, and I would agree this sounds like a good idea. I’m hoping to get to that area soon 😌thanks for the tip! I’m a huge fan of wild berries 😋
@RenatoGambino-i8w 8 күн бұрын
The area where you live is like living in Manhattan New York very nice apartment
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@RenatoGambino-i8w I’ve heard Tirana be referred to as the “New York” of Albania. It’s an amazing city. But definitely smaller than NYC :)
@RenatoGambino-i8w 5 күн бұрын
@ExpatSingleMom sure new york is 8.2 million darling but where u are is gorgeous area like Manhattan.and that 🏠 that you have there in Manhattan, you can't get it in Lexington 58 st without 15 thousand dollars a month, you can't find it i pay 3 thausend every month in astoria queens 15 min fare frome.manhatan just rend princess :)))I don't know how to work online like u, I don't steing here for a minute.belive me if i heve u job.
@patrickoverseas 9 күн бұрын
Great views..! So camp fire up there. That would be cool !
@ExpatSingleMom 5 күн бұрын
Yeah I’m not sure what the laws are about that. If it’s legal, I wouldn’t mind going up there in the evening. But if not, there is a campground near by!
@JetsetterJournals 10 күн бұрын
Awesome views. Andrea.I just moved to Durres this past weekend. I spent two days at the beach. I brought my hiking gear and am going to find a way into Tirana soon to do this hike. The lakes look so beautiful. Patrick has my contact info if you want to get it.
@ExpatSingleMom 10 күн бұрын
@@JetsetterJournals awesome! I hope your move went well! I will get your contact info from Patrick. Maybe we can go for a hike sometime! How do you like Durrës? We still haven’t been there! I’m thinking our next stop will with Shkodra. I want to see the Alps for Christmas 🎄
@SteveM1966 11 күн бұрын
Love the chats 👍
@ExpatSingleMom 9 күн бұрын
@@SteveM1966 thanks so much! 👍🏼
@Rmtda 11 күн бұрын
Beautiful ❤
@jessicaTX964 11 күн бұрын
Are there single family homes available at all? Our family of 4 is seriously considering a move there i the next year and I'm curious is it all apartments/condos or are there neighborhoods of single family homes.
@mikerubin7318 11 күн бұрын
Got a question:) Any decent outdoor, hiking, camping gear stores in Tirana? If yes, great if you can share name and location. Thanks a bunch!!
@ExpatSingleMom 11 күн бұрын
I've had my eye open for these. While there certain don't seem to be a ton of options I have found a place called Tony Store, which I will be checking out soon and a store called "inter sport" that has a small hiking section.
@mikerubin7318 11 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom Thanks for this input! I was at inter-sport Toptani earlier today. Quite disappoining how small/limited the outdoor gear section was. I asked the young Albanian working there where I might find such a place in Tirana and he said (somewhat surprisingly) very few young Albanians have the time or interest in outdoor hiking, camping etc. Perhaps I'll have more luck in Shkoder as it is the Gateway to the Albanian Alps
@ExpatSingleMom 11 күн бұрын
@ no probs! Let me know if you find any. I noticed on the hiking trail it was mostly foreigners. I was also going to look in Shkodra when we visit. We are planning to go up there sometime in December. Can’t wait to see the Alps😍
@mikerubin7318 11 күн бұрын
@ExpatSingleMom Sure, will do. Was told snow in December makes hiking in Albanian Alps (e.g. Theth to Valbone) impractical. Have you heard otherwise? Thanks
@ExpatSingleMom 9 күн бұрын
@ no, but I did scrape the idea of backpacking in the winter up there. If I can find some shoe claws I would try some day hikes. I like hiking in the winter. But only if I could find an easier trail and the claws. I’m going to see if we can find those caves this weekend 😃
@meaganpage1260 11 күн бұрын
Hi! I’m also a single mom, and I’m looking seriously at a move to Albania. I’ve wanted to move abroad for years, and it feels like time to commit. My question, though: I’ve heard many expats mention that Albanians are heavy smokers, which I’m very sensitive to. I think I could deal with it in public spaces (Buenos Aires, Argentina is also this way, and I was ok there), but I worry that any apartment I rent in Albania will also smell of second hand smoke, and that might be a deal breaker for me, to not have a place of respite from it. What’s your experience been with that? I would appreciate your input very much! Thank you!!
@ExpatSingleMom 11 күн бұрын
Hello! I have super sensitive lungs so I'll tell you about my experience. The second hand smoke here doesn't bother me too much because there is no smell in my apartment and any restaurant that we've been in that allows smoking typically has outdoor seating for this. I haven't been in a lot of homes here, but the ones that I've been in have no old smoke smell. I think as long as you make it clear to the realtors that you use that this is a deal breaker, you won't have trouble finding a place that doesn't have a smell. People everywhere are smoking quite frequently, but as I walk around town, it doesn't bother me because it's mostly outdoors. There are indoor restaurants that allow it and apparently a lot of bars too. I've heard the bar scene is quite smokey. I tend to just go to stores and outdoor restaurants and restaurants that don't have indoor smoking, and it doesn't bother me. So I guess it's hard to tell. Honestly the smell of colognes and perfumes bother me a lot more here lol.
@meaganpage1260 8 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom Ah, I'm so excited you replied! Thank you so much! This really, really helps me out. It can be so hard to get this type of info, so I very much appreciate it! And I'm glad to hear you haven't had an issue with your apartment itself smelling like smoke. If all goes well, my little family will be moving there next year! Thanks again!
@meaganpage1260 8 күн бұрын
Also, do you happen to have an email address where I might could ask you a couple of additional questions around schooling? I'd be happy to buy you a coffee as a thank you (or a whole meal out once we get to Albania!) :)
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@meaganpage1260 I’m glad I could help! There have certainly been times where I’ve been exposed to smoke and I don’t like that. But most of the time I don’t have a problem with it. There are definitely more smoker than in the US though.
@ExpatSingleMom 7 күн бұрын
@@meaganpage1260 absolutely! [email protected]. I don’t check this one very often. It’s old, but if you email me there I’ll give you my info. And I would love to have a coffee with you when you get here!
@anthonynork8868 11 күн бұрын
Andrea, there are supposed to be some black caves that you can hike in a little town not far from Tirana, Pellumbas village is about a 45-minute drive and then the hike is another 45 minutes and from what I read it is spectacular, a tour guide that I follow recommended it in a newsletter and it's just something I thought might interest you, thank you for sharing today :)
@ExpatSingleMom 11 күн бұрын
@@anthonynork8868 we will definitely look this up! If possible, we might do this next weekend! Thanks for the tip!
@anthonynork8868 11 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom You're welcome! I have e-mailed you but they might have gone to spam. No worries, I'm also looking forward to Jesse's first video :)
@virsapiensfortisest922 12 күн бұрын
Wow what an amazing view!!
@ExpatSingleMom 11 күн бұрын
@@virsapiensfortisest922 this view had it all! The city, mountains and the sea 🇦🇱♥️
@suepierson3536 12 күн бұрын
Is your son attending one of the international schools in the city? How does he like it?
@KpopGrandma 12 күн бұрын
Sounds like your trip home was great. Good to hear things are continuing to move forward for you in Albania. Your new business sounds like it will be such a good resource for Albanians. I also hope there'll be a way I can contribute to the community when I get there. I loved hearing about Tumo. It sounds wonderful. What a great experience for Jesse. I'll be looking forward to his channel and will share it with my teen grandkids. And you look great. Couldn't see puffy eyes at all. 😀
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@KpopGrandma 😂 thank you about the eye compliment! And everything else too:) we are really loving it here, Tumo is really great and Tirana is really growing on us :) I certainly hope the business takes off, or at least helps a few people out.
@anthonynork8868 13 күн бұрын
Hey there! we missed you but understood that you were busy with travel and family, we are glad to see you back! Unfortunately, my plans met a snafu and I can't make it until next month or after the first of the year but I am still planning on coming! Everything happens for a reason, you have a calling that has presented itself and I have a feeling that this new business venture will become something big for you and I couldn't be happier! I have no doubt that Jesse will get a lot of followers right away, he's going to have a blast! Again, glad you are back and take care
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@anthonynork8868 thank you so much for your kind words and for keeping up with us:) I’m sorry to hear that you hit a road bump in your travel plans, but I do agree that everything happens for a reason:) I’m helping Jesse learn how to make edit his first video right now:) and yes, I’m very excited about the new business! I hope we can help a lot of people :)
@virsapiensfortisest922 13 күн бұрын
That’s a fantastic idea! It will also enable your son to have a job when he’s older. I worry about that for my teens too- what happens when it’s time for them to enter the workforce? There are no jobs there. Do we return to the US then? Glad to hear he likes the school.
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@virsapiensfortisest922 thank you! And yes, I hope he will join the family business someday:) the work force is really changing so much. I think this could be a great thing for a lot of people. 🤞
@mohmaadkhan6385 13 күн бұрын
I like u i am indian ❤
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@mohmaadkhan6385 ♥️thank you for watching!
@patrickoverseas 13 күн бұрын
Nice one ! your doing great !
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@patrickoverseas thanks Patrick!
@alphadoom4970 13 күн бұрын
Good to hear from you. Happy things are going well. My wife and I just got our passports yesterday! That, in a way, signals the launch of our journey to Albania : )
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@alphadoom4970 how exciting! I’m so happy for you both! Safe travels!
@56phil020244 14 күн бұрын
Very informative. Thank you.
@baybrad4159 14 күн бұрын
I'm curious what is Tumo? It's an English speaking school? Sorry, I just started following. Interested in Albania and have two kids
@ExpatSingleMom 12 күн бұрын
@@baybrad4159 no worries! Tumo is a program for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 to work together on various projects based on 10 possible subject areas such as coding, web design, music and others. I can’t remember them all. The program is all done in English. It’s separate for normal school. He goes twice a week for an hour and a half. It seems like a great way for young people to start networking, building portfolios, and getting ready to be competitive in the global job market.
@baybrad4159 12 күн бұрын
@ExpatSingleMom Very nice. Thank you! Moving abroad is hopefully in my future. Definitely more complicated with two children. I appreciate the info!
@taraann-ms1oi 15 күн бұрын
Great content! Thanks a lot. I hope you and your son remain very happy and healthy there. Tirana is looking good to me as well. Here’s my one thing - compared to Spain, for example, if the food and other life necessities like internet seem to be close in price, but if Tirana doesn’t have great transportation, then wouldn’t the additional cost of a vehicle bring the two countries to about the same amount, except in Spain you’d be taking trains, etc rather than driving? You seem very aware and organized so I thought you’d be the one to ask. Thanks in advance and again best to the both of you - truly. Thanks again. ❤
@patrickoverseas 16 күн бұрын
Great info! And happy for jesse !
@virsapiensfortisest922 16 күн бұрын
I’m excited to see how his day went. I’m hoping this would be good for my girls as well.
@ExpatSingleMom 16 күн бұрын
@@virsapiensfortisest922 it was great! The teacher was supportive, he was with about 13 other kids around his age, all starting the same day (so no feelings of being the new kid or being behind) and the teacher describes everything in English and then the kids work on a self-paced class online, but the teacher is there to support when they have questions. It seems they have start dates several times a year, but I’m not clear on when they are. Eventually, after about a year, the kids move on to group work.
@JetsetterJournals 16 күн бұрын
You made that or at a restaurant?
@ExpatSingleMom 16 күн бұрын
@@JetsetterJournals I made it :)
@JetsetterJournals 16 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom Very nice. The sausages look tasty. I cannot wait to try. It looked like you were at a restaurant with all of the food.
@ExpatSingleMom 16 күн бұрын
@ haha! I will take that as a compliment so thank you!
@JetsetterJournals 15 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom Please do. It's meant that way.
@ExpatSingleMom 15 күн бұрын
@ 🥰🙏🏼♥️
@hal3760 17 күн бұрын
100% could eat that every morning. Looks fantastic! 🙌
@ExpatSingleMom 16 күн бұрын
@@hal3760 agreed! 😋👍🏼
@KpopGrandma 17 күн бұрын
It looks amazing. Yum!!
@ExpatSingleMom 17 күн бұрын
@@KpopGrandma so simple to make too!
@BrooklynGeneralLB 17 күн бұрын
You did amazing! Look so goooood I can't wake up to wake up in the morning and have me some. Something I also really like is Ajvar, it's like a pepper paste. It's not for everyone but you should try it if possible 😁 super good with bread and feta cheese
@ExpatSingleMom 17 күн бұрын
@@BrooklynGeneralLB oh! I think I’ve tried this! I might even have some in the fridge. It’s very good, if we are thinking of the same thing :)
@frugalvanner7488 20 күн бұрын
Back in Tirana? Hi, Guenter here. Heard about u from Patrick, who kindly invited me to a glass at the castle. Maybe we too could share a cup somewhere in town. Up for it? Thanks
@ExpatSingleMom 20 күн бұрын
@@frugalvanner7488 we will be back soon! I would love to meet sometime how long are you in the area for?
@frugalvanner7488 19 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom maybe until just before Xmas.
@virsapiensfortisest922 21 күн бұрын
Whoa!!!! Incredible pricing!! I used to work as a phlebotomist and I can tell you the lab work alone in the US is $2500+.
@ExpatSingleMom 20 күн бұрын
@@virsapiensfortisest922 YES!! It’s crazy 🤪
@virsapiensfortisest922 21 күн бұрын
Thank you for doing this video. It’s extremely helpful!
@ExpatSingleMom 20 күн бұрын
@@virsapiensfortisest922 you’re welcome! I’m glad it helps. I always looked for videos like this when I was planning my move
@KpopGrandma 23 күн бұрын
So beautiful! No wonder you wanted to go home during autumn.
@ExpatSingleMom 23 күн бұрын
@@KpopGrandma 🥰 it’s our favorite time. Of year for hiking 🥾
@patrickoverseas 23 күн бұрын
Beautiful area ! You bringing back the dog ?
@ExpatSingleMom 23 күн бұрын
@@patrickoverseas unfortunately no:) my sister would probably be upset about that lol
@JetsetterJournals 24 күн бұрын
Wow, nice place.
@ExpatSingleMom 24 күн бұрын
@@JetsetterJournals we’ve really enjoyed it :)
@patrickoverseas 24 күн бұрын
That looks so beautiful ! Glad your having fun.
@ExpatSingleMom 24 күн бұрын
@@patrickoverseas it’s been a lot of fun, but I’m looking forward to being back in Tirana :)
@anthonynork8868 25 күн бұрын
Wow! Is that an Airbnb find? that place looks amazing! What a peaceful looking retreat away from it all! I hope that you and Jesse are having a great time! Thanks for Sharing
@ExpatSingleMom 25 күн бұрын
@@anthonynork8868 it is! It was so beautiful 🤩 thanks for watching :)
@anthonynork8868 25 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMom btw, I emailed you a couple of times...
@UnlimitedAspirations24 25 күн бұрын
I didn’t get about toilet paper thing, what was that all about again ? And as for Driving like that, as maniacs,I hate it too! As for shopping in person I don’t find it all that big of a deal because 1st you are not as busy as you would be in major cities such as in The US and western countries. So shopping I found it to be fun because you have more time to go out, and not as busy. Ex. Going home from Manhattan to Long Island during rush hour, it takes about 3 or so to make it home, sometimes you barely move.. need some extra gas for AC( summer) or winter (heat) and some food with you, crazy… Overall, I enjoyed this little description of the life there !!
@ExpatSingleMom 25 күн бұрын
@@UnlimitedAspirations24 I wasn’t used to throwing away my TP and would put it in the toilet out of habit. I agree, the time saved by being less busy and not having to drive anywhere makes up for a lot of time. Makes life less stressful too. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
@imogenethomas1138 17 күн бұрын
@@ExpatSingleMomare you saying you have to put dirty toilet paper in the garbage can?
@thomas5916 13 күн бұрын
Guys yes you throw away dirty toilet paper in a bin. The reason being most places around the world rely on water to clean themselves....various forms of bidets or lota. Most places don't have the plumbing system to survive toilet flushing.
@thomas5916 13 күн бұрын
Also toilet paper is a new concept in most places again because of bidets.