I had a full life in Los Angeles. I built a good community of friends and was very active, especially in endurance sports. I’m a lover of traveling and experiencing different cultures, and I’ve always said that the city is a great place to live if you can’t travel the whole world.<\/p>\n
While I was happy living in Los Angeles, I still had an aching wanderlust.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Orlov and her dog on a walk in California.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Cheryl Orlov<\/p>\n
I used to travel abroad one to two times a year and was satisfied for a while. But back in 2016, I went to Africa for a charity trip. I visited Uganda<\/a>, Morocco, and South Africa, and during my visit, something in me switched: I was ready to move abroad<\/a>, I just had to figure out how.<\/p>\n A few things stood in my way. I owned a couple of properties<\/a> and had a full time business. But as the years passed \u2014 it took about seven \u2014 I started unloading my properties. I downsized my home<\/a>, and I even began to dissolve my business, all for the dream of leaving the US<\/a>.<\/p>\n I found out about Albania on a podcast<\/p>\n In April 2022, I was listening to an expat podcast, and a blogger being interviewed said to check out Albania<\/a>. I’ve been to all seven continents and almost 50 countries, and Albania wasn’t even on my radar back then.<\/p>\n I started doing a lot of research. I watched videos on YouTube and even interviewed female solo travelers about their experiences in Albania<\/a>. And in September 2022, my friend and I took a scouting trip there.<\/p>\n Related stories<\/p>\n Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know<\/p>\n Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know<\/p>\n During my scouting trip, I hired a driver who took us from city to city. We wound up in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Initially, I did not want to live there based on what I had read online, but when I was physically there, I knew right away that this was my place.<\/p>\n Albania’s Southern Riviera.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Cheryl Orlov<\/p>\n Albania’s culture and history are so rich \u2014 it’s mind-blowing. Historically, it has strong influences from the Ottoman Empire. The country broke free from communism in the 1990s and is still developing.<\/p>\n Albania is very similar to California topographically. Although it’s a small country, it features the Albanian Alps and coastlines along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.<\/p>\n I love the people of Albania; their hospitality is unmatched. They make you feel like you’re right at home and like your family.<\/p>\n I feel safe and comfortable where I live<\/p>\n After the scouting trip, I flew back to the US and started making arrangements to move. I sold almost everything I owned and continued dissolving my business.<\/p>\n I didn’t need to apply for a visa to visit Albania because Americans are allowed to stay for up to one year without one. After that, if we leave the country for 90 days, the one-year period resets when we return.<\/p>\n I found an apartment in Tirana, the capital city, by word of mouth on a Facebook group. An American had raved about the landlord, who had lived in America for six years.<\/p>\n I was moving my whole life to an unfamiliar place, so it was important to be in a good and safe area, in a building where people spoke English, and where I liked the landlord.<\/p>\n In September 2023, I moved to Tirana. I live in the city, but in a quiet neighborhood where a lot of Albanians live \u2014 immigrants and expats tend to live closer to the city center.<\/p>\n Tirana, Albania, town square.<\/p>\n Fani Kurti\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The building I live in is a five-unit villa where each level has its own apartment. I live on the ground level and have a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment. I have a good relationship with my landlord, and I wouldn’t say that’s the norm here, but I pay \u20ac400 ($466) a month.<\/p>\n My other bills are pretty affordable, too. I usually spend \u20ac20 to \u20ac30 ($23-$35) a week on food at the local market, and going out to dinner typically costs between \u20ac15 and \u20ac20 ($17-$23). Taking the bus costs about $0.50, and taxis are usually around \u20ac5.<\/p>\n I’ve never felt more like myself<\/p>\n Learning Albanian is tough, but one of the biggest challenges to living here is how often expats come and go. I’ve noticed that people usually stay for a year or two, then move on.<\/p>\n The impermanence is difficult for me \u2014 it’s just hard to keep saying goodbye. When I was in California<\/a>, I didn’t have to worry about that as much. So, it’s something I’ve had to adjust to.<\/p>\n I don’t know if Albania will be my forever place, but still, I’m really happy here. I didn’t realize how stressed I was in America until I moved to Tirana.<\/p>\n While living here, I’m traveling more. From Albania, I can easily fly anywhere in Europe, Africa, or Asia \u2014 right now, I’m in Malaysia<\/a>. I’ve been experiencing so many different cultures, and while that’s not for everyone, I feel like a more complete person.<\/p>\n Cheryl Orlov, at the Kruj\u00eb Castle in Kruj\u00eb, Albania.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Cheryl Orlov<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/placeholder.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n