Our dream of moving to Europe almost ended in disappointment. After an extensive scouting trip through Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, nowhere felt like the home we were searching for. We returned to the USA feeling defeated, thinking our life abroad would remain just a dream. Then we discovered Albania. 🇵🇹 🇲🇹 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 → 🇦🇱

► Get our FREE 60 day Move Abroad Planning Checklist → smileabroad.al

What started as a leap of faith, moving here sight unseen; turned into the best decision we've ever made. In this video, we share the unfiltered story of our journey. We'll show you why the popular expat spots didn't work for us and what made Albania the perfect fit. From the unique 1-year visa-free stay for Americans that lets you "try before you buy," to the incredible pace of development, welcoming culture, and the vibrant community we found here, we break down exactly why we chose to build our lives in this beautiful Balkan nation.

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed on your own journey to move abroad, this story is for you. You CAN do it, and sometimes the most incredible home is in a place you least expect.

📦 WHAT'S IN THIS VIDEO
Our story as two Americans leaving the USA
Malta vs Albania vs Portugal vs Italy comparison
Why Malta and Portugal didn’t fit our plan
The visa perk for Americans in Albania and how it works
Cost of living snapshots and what surprised us
Safety, infrastructure, and day-to-day life reality
Community and how we made friends fast in Saranda
How we sold everything and moved in 60 days
Residency paths we considered and what we chose
Practical advice if you want to make the jump

► Download our FREE 60 day Move Abroad Planning Checklist → smileabroad.al

👇 CHAPTERS
00:00 Our Europe search
00:14 Why Malta didn’t fit
01:08 Portugal paperwork
02:39 Italy and Spain
03:24 Back in the USA
04:13 Albania’s visa option
06:53 Year one in Albania
08:08 Why we stayed
12:16 Albania and the EU
13:27 Final advice

💬 Have questions about moving abroad or life in Albania? Drop them in the comments — we read and respond to every single one.

// CONNECT WITH US & RESOURCES

🔔 Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos every Tuesday & Thursday!
YouTube:    / @smileabroad  

📸 Follow our daily life in Albania:
Instagram → instagram.com/smileabroad.al
TikTok → tiktok.com/@smile_abroad
Facebook → facebook.com/smileabroad.al
Blog → www.smileabroad.al/blog

⚖ Residency Help for Americans Moving to Albania:
We recommend attorney Tahir Tahja, who handled our company setup and residency.
► Book a FREE consult → www.smileabroad.al/residency
► Join our expat community → www.facebook.com/groups/usalblegal

Thanks for watching and for joining us on this journey. 💙
— Spencer & Sam 🐾✈🌍

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