Americans -- did you know that Albania wants us? (Another Plan B alternative to Thailand)

[Jingthing]

Prescott is rather expensive. Anyway this is about Albania not Arizona.

Edited June 6 by Jingthing

[GypsyT]

Sorry.... didn't pay attention.

[FritsSikkink]

On 3/30/2024 at 6:09 PM, Jingthing said:

I've been aware of Albania before, but have recently learned some things about it that appear to make it much more attractive to Americans specifically, as a possible Plan B alternative to Thailand.

 

 

Such as --

One year visa free entry specifically for Americans! WOW.

Reported love of Americans by the people there

English widely spoken especially by younger people, especially in Tirana

Unlike Latin America and similar to Thailand, there isn't much expectation that foreigners will speak Albanian.

A number of very accessible sounding paths towards 5 year permanent residence

Low cost of living comparable to Thailand

Lovely beaches and mountains

Central to travel to popular European destinations

OK private healthcare available at reasonable prices even without insurance

Decent weather (neighboring Greece across from Sicily Italy)

 

This is one video. I've seen others that don't really contradict it. I am hearing different info on visa options, additional ones to those mentioned in the video, and a general impression that it's a moving target but always that it's reasonably easy and accessible for most Americans.

 

 

Downsides? There always are some.

Citizenship path possible after 5 years but you need to learn Albanian and Albanian is VERY VERY DIFFICULT. My impression is harder than Thai.

Albania plans to eventually enter the EU. That would be good news for EU people but bad news for Americans who haven't become Alabanian citizens (dual passports allowed).

Unknown how many years before that happens

The food. Related somewhat to Italian and Greek but quite different as well.

As shown in the video and seen elsewhere garbage pickup is not first world

Although pensions/social security aren't taxed, I think there is a minimum tax requirement which might be about 90 dollars a month (I consider that tolerable)

My impression is that I wouldn't like to be stuck with Albanian food and the only place in the country that offers a decent variety of international restaurants in the capitol Tirana (not at the beach)

Some Asian food but not very much

Not to be Islamophobic but it's a heavily Muslim country and dangerous for gay people but better in Tirana.

I think if I moved there I would only want to live in Tirana.

 

Have you been to Albania in recent years?

How was it? Would you consider living there?

Has this topic piqued your interest in Albania?

 

 

You forget one thing: ruled by local mafia, who don't take prisoners.

[Jingthing]

25 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You forget one thing: ruled by local mafia, who don't take prisoners.

Not sure that non working retired experts would necessarily be impacted by that. When things are cheaper there are always downsides.

Edited June 7 by Jingthing

[taxout]

I've been to Tirana and around the countryside. Nothing bad to say really but I couldn't possibly see living there. Boring and still a heavy socialist air.

 

The other Balkan states, along with Georgia, are much better places to be.

[Max_Headroom]

On 3/30/2024 at 7:08 PM, save the frogs said:

have Italian ancestry, so technically I should be able to get European citizenship

 

Not that simple. I had hopes as well

[save the frogs]

1 hour ago, Max_Headroom said:

 

Not that simple. I had hopes as well

people complain thai bureaucracy is bad.

 

it takes months and months, if not 1-2 years to get an appointment at the consulate with these idiots

[Max_Headroom]

35 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

people complain thai bureaucracy is bad.

 

it takes months and months, if not 1-2 years to get an appointment at the consulate with these idiots

 

My issue was the timing when my grandfather came thru Ellis Is. Also, his name on what sparse records the family has was misspelled. Italian citizenship just kinda meh for me so I dropped it. All my cousins want out as well lol.

[save the frogs]

1 minute ago, Max_Headroom said:

 

My issue was the timing when my grandfather came thru Ellis Is. Also, his name on what sparse records the family has was misspelled. Italian citizenship just kinda meh for me so I dropped it. All my cousins want out as well lol.

yeah, thanks for the heads up. there may be so many complications that i may not even be eligible.

and the wait time is insane. maybe since covid a lot of people are applying i think. 

 

[Max_Headroom]

8 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

yeah, thanks for the heads up. there may be so many complications that i may not even be eligible.

and the wait time is insane. maybe since covid a lot of people are applying i think. 

 

 

Guess we can buy air tickets, fly in and just stay on. Seems to be working for the Africans.

[Max_Headroom]

 

If I wasn't married and that still might not stop me/us, but I'm thinking Adriatic coast. No idea how amenable it is to 'murkans though.

 

If I were single I'd be bouncing between India, Indo, Phils, Viet and Cambodia as long as I'd had my health

 

The economic benefit is fast shrinking.

[Max_Headroom]

On 6/13/2024 at 1:11 PM, taxout said:

Georgia

 

Thais get 30 days so if married and just want to have a look

 

Georgia was always the republic with all the great food and climate back in Soviet days.

[GypsyT]

On 7/8/2024 at 4:30 AM, Max_Headroom said:

Thais get 30 days so if married and just want to have a look

It's better than that - 12 months!

 

"Georgian visa for Thai citizens. A visa is NOT required for Thai passport holders visiting Georgia for a short-term stay: 1 year."

Before Russkye refuges invaded the place I had a business idea:

Buy a hotel for love sick farangs to meet Thais there! It would have been full 24/7 360days a year.

The place on the beach was perfect - Batumi.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=batumi+georgia

 

Funny "NO SEX" sign;

https://eurasianet.org/thai-massage-parlors-mushroom-in-georgias-tourist-meccas

 

PS. When I saw opening head line "Albania wants you...." I didn't know how good Albania actually is. It can be a new Croatia! I though I know EU 😞 

The location with 4-5h ship trip to/from Italy is great too.

 

[Jingthing]

One thing about Georgia.

Yeah you get a one year stay on entry with many passports but to live there longer term there is no guarantee they will keep stamping in on border runs.

Also about the Russian draft dodgers.

Turns out the leader of Georgia is now a Putin lackey.

[GypsyT]

I've spent hours scanning best weather for me around the world and weatherspark has great tool for it;

 

https://weatherspark.com/map

 

PS. Chiang Rai seems to be best for me in Thailand.

Edited July 10 by GypsyT

[Jingthing]

They love it.

They really, really love it.

 

[MarkBR]

On 7/9/2024 at 3:08 PM, Jingthing said:

One thing about Georgia.

Yeah you get a one year stay on entry with many passports but to live there longer term there is no guarantee they will keep stamping in on border runs.

Also about the Russian draft dodgers.

Turns out the leader of Georgia is now a Putin lackey.

Big Problem