An American mother claims her life has improved significantly after moving from the US to Europe, and in more ways than she initially anticipated.
Relocating abroad is a dream many share, whether it’s for the allure of warmer climates, the chance to experience diverse cultures, or a desire to escape the typical work routine.
During a Reddit AMA, a woman who made this move elaborated on why she has no intentions of returning to the US.
She introduced herself as a Black American woman and a single mother, highlighting how she barely spent time with her three-year-old daughter due to her demanding work schedule in the US, which left her feeling ‘completely miserable.’
Despite her employment, the woman revealed she was living paycheck to paycheck and depending on various government benefits to make ends meet.
“I had a mental breakdown one day,” she wrote. “…and just decided f**k it – I need out of this matrix.”
She decided to move to Europe, specifically Albania, a country situated along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with borders adjacent to Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece.
This was her first time leaving the US, a significant leap, but one without regrets.
The choice of Albania was driven by practicality; US citizens can stay visa-free for a year, and she was drawn to the country’s stunning combination of beaches and mountains.
After starting her own travel and content business, she successfully secured a five-year residency permit, with the possibility of applying for citizenship after seven years.
She notes that her financial concerns have drastically decreased compared to her time in the US, even though she earns less.
She provided a detailed financial comparison in response to an inquisitive Reddit user.
“My rent alone in the US was 2K. Now my bills are only about $800/month for everything and it’s a lot easier to come up with that every month.
“But I do work and while I make less money here, my quality of life is significantly better.”
She highlights that healthcare costs have been one of the most significant reliefs.
Her daughter required hospitalization twice in Albania, once for a virus and another for an asthma flare-up.
“They gave her the exact same treatment she got in the US,” the woman noted. “And it was completely free for a four-day stay.”
A social media user remarked on the relief of going to the hospital without incurring massive debt.
“It is SUCH a relief,” she replied, mentioning that out-of-hours doctor visits are typically around €30.
As she approaches her second year abroad, she has no intentions of returning to the US.
She appreciates the Albanian culture, explaining: “There’s a saying here ‘Avash, Avash,’ which means slowly, slowly.
“People actually take their time and will sit and have coffee every day for hours, catching up with friends and family.”
She continued: “I feel like here things are much more slow-paced and village-minded. In the US, everything is rushed. We get our coffee to go, our food to go – it’s just go go go.”
Although she recognizes that relocating internationally isn’t suitable for everyone, she believes that Albania is often misjudged.
“It is 100x safer here than it is in the US,” she claimed. “I wouldn’t count Albania off your travel list. Come see for yourself.”