For Americans thinking about living abroad
Can you really retire abroad on a budget? We’re finding out.
We’re Sandra and Jeff. Since 2023, we’ve been living slowly across countries — tracking exactly what we spend so you can plan with real numbers, not estimates. No guesswork.
What was our Cost of Living in Pogradec Albania? (2025)
One of our longest stays so far was a little over four months—140 nights—in Pogradec, Albania. We’re sharing this cost of living in Pogradec Albania report as a real-world example of what long-term, slow travel in Albania can cost for a couple on a moderate budget who haven’t yet decided whether the country might eventually become home. Our original plan was to stay one month…
Three Days in Corfu Town: What You Can Do (and What You Can’t)
We’ve learned that when people ask whether you can “do” a place in three days, they’re usually asking two different questions at once. Corfu Town is one of those places where the answer is yes… and no. We spent what most people would call three days in Corfu Town, arriving mid-morning and leaving late afternoon. We saw a lot. We enjoyed ourselves. And we still…
How to Make a Mini Sourdough Starter From Scratch (and Take It With You When You Travel)
We’ve been traveling full time for a couple of years now, and lately I’ve started getting the itch to bake again. Back when we were settled in one place, sourdough was part of our regular routine – especially sourdough English muffins and simple loaves of no-knead bread. At home, I kept a large sourdough starter alive for years. It lived on the counter (and sometimes…
Our Tried-and-Tested Amazon Packing List for Senior Nomads & Long-Term Travel
Think of this as our private packing notes. These are the Amazon products we’ve bought, loved, used, and sometimes retired – not because they weren’t great, but because our minimalist travel style shifted. Some remain essentials, some were one-trip wonders. We’re sharing it because people ask what we actually pack, and where we got it… and because it might make your own packing a lot…
ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
Most ATMs in Albania charge a flat withdrawal fee for foreign cards, typically between 500–800 Lek in 2025. If you’re planning a trip to Albania, you’ll need cash – especially outside cities as big as Tirana. ATMs are common and reliable, but almost all of them charge withdrawal fees for foreign cards. The good news is that some banks charge less than others, and knowing…
7 Amazing Day Trips from Tirana
Tirana is one of Albania’s most convenient travel hubs – vibrant, welcoming, and centrally located for exploring the rest of the country. From here, it’s easy to set out on day trips to mountain lakes, coastal cities, and UNESCO-listed towns, each offering a different glimpse of Albanian life. These 7 easy day trips from Tirana make it simple to experience more of the country without…
Stretching Our Travel Budget: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
We’re not on a traditional retirement path – think of it more as an open-ended adventure of discovering what our American expat lifestyle looks like for us. Some might imagine we have a hidden fortune tucked away, but the truth is, we operate on a modest budget, aiming to spend less than our cost of living back home. So even though we are traveling the…
Albania, American Expat Life, Destinations, Durres, Europe, Pogradec, Sarandë, Start Here, Trip PlanningWhat Is It Like to Visit Albania? Understanding Modern Albania: History, Culture, and Everyday Life for Travelers and Expats
The goal of this blog post is to give you a deeper understanding of what modern-day Albania is like and what you can expect from its people, culture, and daily life when you visit. The reality is far more intricate, and far more captivating, than we initially thought. First, it’s essential to grasp that this country has been transforming rapidly, rebuilding itself from a dictatorship…
Albania, American Expat Life, Cost-of-Living Reports, Destinations, Durres, Europe, Real Life Abroad, Start Here, Trip PlanningOur Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days
Real Numbers from Senior Nomads and American Expats on a Moderate Budget Why We Chose Durrës, Albania After blowing through our budget in Mexico, we decided we needed what we call a financial reset – someplace affordable, mild, and peaceful where we could catch our budget back up. Albania checked all the boxes: low housing costs, a reputation for being safe and welcoming, and a…
Albania – A Guide for Retirees, Slow Travelers & Senior Nomads
When we chose to visit Albania it was to check it out and see if it was the right place for us to retire too, it wasn’t on a whim. We’d overspent last year, so affordability was super-high on this year’s travel-priority list. We also try to travel where the weather fits our sweet spot – no snow, and not too hot or humid. Albania…
About Us
We’re Jeff and Sandra, two retired Americans, living abroad, on a budget, one country at at time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment.
Reader’s Favorite Blog Posts
- Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
- A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
- Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
- ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
- Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Travel: I Purchased & Tested 3 Budget Brands vs 1 Expensive Brand
