I’ve been in real estate in the south of Albania long enough to witness many surprising stories… but this one still stayed with me.

An American couple — mid-40s, warm, funny, a little exhausted from the fast life — came to Saranda last year for what they thought was a “one-month European break.” Instead, they sold everything back home and moved here permanently.

Yes, everything.
House, car, furniture, even their Christmas decorations.
They kept only two suitcases each and a few boxes in storage.

They had originally planned to settle in Spain.
Then they considered Portugal, Italy, Greece.
But after one week on the Albanian Riviera, they looked at each other and said:
“Why go anywhere else? This is the Maldives of Europe.”

I hear versions of this story more often now.
And honestly? I’m not surprised anymore.

Why Foreigners Are Moving to Saranda

When the couple told me their decision, it reminded me of something I often forget: how powerful first impressions can be.

You land in Corfu, take the 30-minute ferry, and suddenly you’re greeted by glass-blue water, the Lëkurësi Castle on the hill, and a coastline that glows at sunset.

People fall in love instantly.
But the real magic happens after the first week.

They start noticing:
– The slow mornings.
– The neighborhood baker who remembers your order.
– The view from almost any balcony in town.

Saranda has that effect.
It convinces people quietly, day by day.

The Lifestyle They Were Searching For

The couple told me they chose Albania because they were tired.
Not physically, but mentally.

“In the U.S., we lived to pay bills,” they said. “Here, we live to breathe.”

I know exactly what they meant. Life in the south has a softer rhythm. Some days, it feels like the sea sets the schedule — slow in the morning, bright in the afternoon, calm by evening.

• Warm climate

They loved that Saranda has sunshine eight months a year. When they heard locals swimming in late October, their jaws dropped.

• Healthy Mediterranean food

Fresh fish, olive oil, vegetables from farmers… “It feels like our bodies finally relaxed,” they said.
(And they’re right. Even my clients who come from Germany tell me they eat double here and somehow lose weight.)

• Quiet lifestyle & low stress

Traffic is light. Noise is softer. Even on busy days, Saranda feels human-sized.

• Friendly locals

One detail foreigners always mention: Albanians’ habit of treating guests like family.
You say “mirëmëngjes” once and suddenly you’re invited for coffee.

• Safety

The couple told me they hadn’t walked at night in years until they came here. In Saranda, they walk the promenade every evening.

Cost of Living: The Big Shock

This is the part that really convinced them to stay.
When we sat in a café near Rruga Butrinti, they looked around and asked me:
“How is all this so affordable?”

A simple comparison says everything:

What costs $3,000/month in the U.S. often costs $700–800 in Albania.
And that’s not exaggeration — I’ve heard this from dozens of foreign clients.

– Rent is lower
– Groceries are cheaper
– Utilities are manageable
– Eating out is actually enjoyable, not a luxury
– Healthcare services don’t require a second mortgage

“Back home we worked 50–60 hours a week. Here we work maybe 20. And we still save money,” they said.

That line stayed with me.

Why They Chose Saranda Specifically

There are many beautiful towns in Albania, but Saranda offers a combination that’s hard to beat:

• Crystal-clear Ionian water

Every morning looks like a postcard. And foreigners can’t believe how blue the sea is.

• Long summer season

May to October feels like one continuous holiday.

• Close to Corfu

Flights from anywhere in the world → land in Corfu → 30-minute ferry → you’re in Saranda.
This alone makes it perfect for Americans.

• Infrastructure improving every year

New port upgrades, better roads, new residences, more cafés and services.

• Sea views everywhere

Even regular apartments have views that would cost millions in Italy.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. And I say that from experience — not marketing.

Albania Is Finally Gaining International Attention

One thing the couple noticed was how many influencers were posting about Albania online.
It’s true — lately Albania has become a media favorite:

– YouTubers showcasing Ksamil’s turquoise bays
– Travel bloggers calling it “Europe’s last affordable paradise”
– International newspapers ranking it as a top destination

The couple joked, “We made it just in time, before the whole world finds out.”

Sometimes I think the same.

Real Estate Opportunities Growing Fast

Now, here’s where my work comes in.
Foreign interest is rising — fast.

Every month, more buyers ask about:
– Saranda apartments for sale
– beachfront property
– seaview apartments
– villas in the Albanian Riviera

And because tourism keeps growing, rental ROI is becoming extremely attractive.

To give you an idea, here are a few examples of properties foreigners love (shared casually, the way I’d mention them to a friend):

• A quiet luxury apartment in Ksamil

I recently showed a client a brand-new 1-bedroom apartment in a calm neighborhood of Ksamil — modern residence, private swimming pool for residents, finishing in 2025, just seven minutes from the beach.
Here’s the listing if you want to imagine the feeling:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2

• A seaview apartment in Saranda with total privacy

Another popular option is a fully furnished 1+1 on Skënderbeu Street — luxury finishings, extremely quiet, private pool, and a panoramic Ionian view that nothing blocks.
For many foreigners, this is “the Saranda dream”:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished

• White Villas in Borsh – quiet luxury in nature

Then there are the people who want something bigger. Private. Peaceful.
The White Residence Villas in Borsh match that perfectly — built by our construction company of 15+ years, each villa has three floors, its own private pool, wide veranda, 300m² land area, parking, and unbelievable views.
A seven-minute drive to Borsh beach, surrounded only by nature.
These properties define “quiet luxury”:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/projects/white-residence-villas-borsh

• New duplexes in Ksamil with two pools

And for anyone wanting something exclusive, the new 2025 duplexes in Ksamil are some of the best I’ve seen:
– two private pools (one only for the duplex)
– underground parking
– 300 meters from the beach
– on the main road
– luxury interior
– ROI up to 16% per year

It’s the kind of property smart investors grab before the price curve jumps again:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2

The Emotional Side of Relocating

When the American couple spoke about why they left the U.S., it wasn’t about money.
It wasn’t about beaches either.

It was this:
“We wanted a simpler life.”

They were tired of:
– endless stress
– heavy taxes
– crowded cities
– cold social environments

They wanted:
– sun
– community
– nature
– safe streets
– good food
– a place where time has meaning again

Saranda gave them that.

I’ve heard the same from people from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the UK…
They’re not escaping their countries.
They’re choosing a different kind of life.

Why People Call Albania “The Maldives of Europe”

Is the comparison dramatic? Maybe. But once you stand on the beach in Ksamil or drive the coast to Borsh at sunrise, you understand why it stuck.

– shallow turquoise water
– white-sand bays
– palm-lined cafés
– exotic landscapes that feel untouched

Except unlike the Maldives, Albania offers affordable luxury living, not luxury reserved for the ultra-rich.

That’s the difference.

What This Trend Means for Investors

This rising interest from foreigners is doing exactly what you’d expect:

• Demand is increasing:

More people are buying apartments and villas.

• Rental income is skyrocketing

Tourism + long-stay foreigners = full seasons.

• Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh are entering their “golden years”

Still affordable, but not for long.

• Vlora Airport will accelerate everything

(Every local knows this will be a turning point.)

Right now, investors are entering at the perfect moment — before Albania becomes mainstream.

I genuinely believe that in a few years, we’ll look back at today’s prices and say:
“We didn’t know how lucky we were.”

Final Thoughts

Every time I sit with foreigners who moved here, I’m reminded of why this region is special. And as someone who has walked these streets my whole life, who knows every shortcut and every quiet café hidden behind olive trees… I understand the feeling.

Saranda is more than a seaside town.
It’s a fresh start for many.
A return to a simpler rhythm.
A place where life feels lighter.

And that’s why the American couple — and so many others — choose to call it home.