We moved to one of Europe’s cheapest places – our monthly expenses fell to $1.5k

A YOUNG couple from California had decided to leave America and its high cost of living in the rear-view mirror, moving across the world to one of the cheapest countries in Europe.

After taking up their new life in Albania, the travel content creators shell out just $1,500 in monthly expenses – and they didn’t even need a visa to enter the Balkan country.

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A cost of living measure includes all the expenses that go into maintaining a reasonable standard of living in a particular location. 

Several factors are taken into account, including housing, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and taxes, among other expenses.

The United States ranks high on global lists of expensive countries, coming in at 13th place out of hundreds of nations, according to data company Numbeo.

As financial pressures mount, more and more Americans are moving abroad to countries with a lower cost of living in search of a more affordable lifestyle.

Alicia Walter and her boyfriend Nate, also known as The Passport Couple, did just that, leaving their comfortable apartment in San Diego, California, to save money by living abroad.

The couple, who calls themselves professional travelers, left the US to find a more affordable home abroad and found it in Albania, Alicia exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

She shared more on their experience living internationally, including all the perks of living in one of Europe’s most affordable countries.

STACKING UP THE SAVINGS

Albania is a small country in South-Eastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, sharing a border with Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

With a population of nearly three million, the European country offers its residents a blend of Mediterranean charm, rich history, stunning natural beauty, and a welcoming culture.

Albania is also a highly attractive destination due to its affordability, Alicia shared.

“We’ve been living here for two years now, spending a fraction of what we did back home, while enjoying stunning mountains, Adriatic beaches, and a slower pace of life,” she said.

She and her boyfriend, both full-time travel content creators, find the small country – smaller than the size of Maryland – to be the “perfect balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.”

The couple spends roughly $1,500 each month on expenses, which includes rent, groceries, eating out, and travel, “without sacrificing comfort or adventure,” said Alicia.

Rent runs them roughly $480 per month, plus $20 for internet and around $100 for water and electricity.

“The US is really expensive,” Alicia wrote in a blog post. “There is no way we would have been able to find a fully-furnished, newly-built apartment that is as nice as ours is in the US for less than $500 per month.”

Their apartment was not only fully furnished but also move in ready, equipped with homeware such as pots, pans, mugs, blankets, and pillows.

Alicia and Nate had to spend less than $400 to make the apartment more homey and purchase items such as cleaning supplies, trash cans, and hooks.

The content creator noted that there are a few catches with renting an apartment in Albania.

The US is really expensive. There is no way we would have been able to find a fully-furnished, newly-built apartment that is as nice as ours is in the US for less than $500 per month.”

Alicia Walter

The first is that tenants are expected to pay in cash – payment methods such as Zelle, direct deposit, or checks are not accepted.

The second is that apartment complexes typically do not rent out their units, but rather sell them, and the owners are able to rent them out if they choose.

“It’s a very individual landscape making it a bit more difficult to find the perfect apartment,” said Alicia.

THE PERFECT CHOICE

While Nate and Alicia originally wanted to move to Italy, they ended up in Albania due to it being one of the few countries that offers a 365-day visa-free stay for US citizens.

Alicia noted that it made it “incredibly easy” for them to settle in and explore the country comfortably, calling the visa rule one of the biggest perks of moving to Albania.

The couple had visited the country and explored Tirana – the capital and largest city in Albania – for just over one week before signing their lease.

“It’s crazy, it’s impulsive, but really it’s the same plan we’ve had all along – make a living online so we can be location independent,” Alicia wrote in her blog post.

Aside from the country’s affordability and accessibility for US natives, she and her boyfriend were also drawn to Albania thanks to the country’s pleasant weather and its relatively low crime rate.

Living in Albania, Nate and Alicia have enjoyed learning about the culture, trying new foods, and immersing themselves in the Mediterranean lifestyle.

“It’s not a place many Americans think to move, but it’s truly one of Europe’s most underrated gems,” said Alicia.

Moving abroad remains a viable option for Americans as the cost of living in the US creeps upwards.

In a handful of US cities, residents can earn over $100,000 a year and still be broke.

Many Americans are turning to alternative living methods such tiny homes to cut down on housing expenses – Amazon is selling one for just $7,599, and it comes with a bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

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