How Living Near the Sea Changed the Way I Think About Life

There’s this funny thing that happens when you live near the sea. You start measuring time differently. It’s not about hours and deadlines anymore—it’s about tides, sunsets, and the breeze that tells you whether you need a jacket or not.

I didn’t realize how much the sea had changed me until I was sitting at the little stone pier in Saranda one quiet Tuesday morning. A fisherman I know—Agim, who’s been casting his lines since before the promenade had any of its fancy cafés—handed me a cup of thick, strong coffee without saying a word. We just sat there, listening to the waves slap the rocks. That was it. No rush, no agenda. And I thought… this is the pace I never knew I needed.

It’s easy to romanticize life by the sea. I get it. But living it—actually waking up to the shimmer of the Ionian every morning—has a way of shifting your priorities.

Slowing Down to Speed Up

I used to think “busy” meant “important.” I chased projects, clients, deadlines. But here, even the busiest days feel different. You can be showing seaview apartments all morning, then end up sharing lunch with a client at Taverna Te Rrapi in Ksamil, where the grilled octopus is unreal and the owner treats everyone like a cousin.

That’s what happened just last week. I showed a couple from the Netherlands a stunning duplex in Ksamil—modern, bright, and just a short walk from the beach. When we stepped out onto the terrace and saw the water sparkling in that way it only does around 3PM, the wife actually teared up a little. “I didn’t expect to feel this at home,” she said. And I get it. The sea does that to you.

It’s Not Just a View—It’s a Whole Mindset

There’s something grounding about seeing the horizon every day. You start to think longer term. You breathe deeper. You listen more. I’ve had clients come here thinking they’re just buying a beachfront property as an investment… and a year later, they’ve moved in full-time, started learning Albanian, and they know the best place to get figs in August (a guy named Petrit sells them from a blue truck on the road to Butrint—don’t miss it).

And the thing is, the lifestyle doesn’t come with a crazy price tag. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. Whether you’re looking for affordable properties or more high-end options, the variety is here. From modern Saranda apartments for sale with sea views to unique villas tucked between olive groves.

Locals Know Where to Look

There are places tourists just walk past—like the tiny beach under the old olive trees in Pasqyra. It’s quiet, always smells like wild sage, and there’s a guy who sometimes plays accordion in the late afternoon. I’ve brought clients there after showings, just to let them feel the place. No one ever wants to leave.

Or take Borsh, for example. Most people head to the long beach and stop there. But just off the side road, there’s a small taverna run by a family who’s been in the same spot for decades. I love scheduling viewings nearby just so I have an excuse to eat their qofte and fresh bread. (Yes, I’m guilty of planning my route around lunch. Don’t judge me.)

These little spots aren’t just charming—they tell you something about life here. It’s slower, yes, but it’s also richer in the ways that matter.

The Sea Doesn’t Let You Pretend

You can’t fake peace. And you can’t outrun yourself when you’re staring at the water every day.

I’ve had clients—especially those coming from big cities—confide in me that something about the sea makes them reevaluate everything. What they thought they needed. What success meant. Where they felt joy.

And honestly, that happens to me, too. It’s why I love showing properties here. It’s not just sales—it’s watching people wake up to a version of life they didn’t think was possible.

One couple I worked with last season had every intention of buying in Spain. But they came here on a whim, saw our White Residence hotel-apartment project in Ksamil, and something just clicked. “This feels untouched,” they told me. “And real.”

Little Tangents, Big Truths

Okay, side note: if you’re ever in Ksamil in September, go to the edge of the peninsula at sunset. There’s a little bench that nobody really notices, half-covered by bougainvillea. Sit there. You’ll understand why people fall in love with this place.

Anyway—back to real estate.

The demand for beachfront property and seaview apartments has definitely grown over the last few years. But what’s surprised me more is how many people aren’t just looking to buy—they’re looking to belong. They want community. They want to walk into a café and have someone greet them by name. They want stories, not just square meters.