What Locals Really Think About the Real Estate Boom in South Albania

If you’ve ever sipped a macchiato at the promenade in Saranda while watching the ferries roll in from Corfu, you already know—something’s changing. Fast. The waterfront feels livelier. Construction cranes dot the hills. And everyone’s talking about it: the real estate boom sweeping across the Albanian Riviera.

But while headlines focus on foreign buyers and rising prices, I want to pull back the curtain a bit and tell you what locals actually think about all this.

I’ve lived in Saranda for years. I’ve watched this sleepy town blossom into a hotspot. And I talk to people every day—clients, café owners, construction workers, even my neighbors hanging out by the bakery near Rruga Skënderbeu. So this post? It’s not just about real estate trends. It’s about real voices, and how this boom feels from the ground up.

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A Mix of Pride and Pressure

There’s no denying it: most locals feel proud of the attention our region is getting. When someone from Sweden or Dubai buys an apartment here and raves about the view from their terrace, it makes us feel like we’ve got something special. Because we do.

Last week, I showed a client a stunning property in Ksamil and their reaction reminded me why I love this job. The sunset was turning the water pink, and they just stood there speechless. “How is this place not world-famous yet?” they asked. I smiled. “Give it another year.”

But pride isn’t the whole story.

Some locals, especially older generations, feel the pressure of rising prices. “My nephew wants to buy an apartment, but he can’t afford it anymore,” one client told me recently while we walked past the White Residence. It’s a beautiful beachfront development—truly a gem—but it’s not cheap by local standards.

That’s where I think balance is so important. Yes, we need growth. But we also need to protect the soul of this place. The family-run tavernas. The little beach spots in Borsh that haven’t been touched by time. The community.

By the way, if you’re ever down in Borsh for a viewing, stop at the small taverna near the southern end of the beach—the one without a sign. Their grilled octopus is the best I’ve had all year.

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The Good: Jobs, Development, and A Bit of Glamour

One of the biggest positives locals talk about is jobs. More construction. More tourism. More opportunities. Kids who once moved to Tirana or abroad for work are starting to stay—especially with the new projects popping up along Butrinti Street and beyond.

We’ve even seen an uptick in people asking about training in hospitality or real estate. That’s new. And encouraging.

There’s also a sense of excitement in the air. Saranda is no longer just for July and August. We’re seeing visitors in April, even November. A few years ago, Ksamil would shut down by mid-September. Now? I had a viewing in October where the beach still had umbrellas up. It felt… alive.

If you’re curious about some of the developments that are attracting buyers from all over Europe, White Residence is a good place to start. It’s right on the coast, modern, and already creating a lot of buzz. But we’ve also got affordable seaview apartments and villas that are less known—and still packed with value.

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The Not-So-Good: Noise, Crowds, and Fear of Losing “Old Albania”

Of course, with growth comes challenges. Locals do complain about noise—especially during high season. One friend of mine lives up near the ruins of the synagogue and says it’s like “living in a festival” every summer. That sounds fun… until it’s every night.

And while tourism brings income, some residents worry we’re losing the simplicity that made Saranda and Ksamil special in the first place.

I get it. I remember when there were only a handful of hotels, and you could walk the beach without bumping into a single drone or influencer. The vibe was quieter. More Albanian.

One older gentleman told me, “It used to be that we knew every neighbor on this street. Now half the apartments are Airbnbs.” He wasn’t angry—just nostalgic.

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A Tangent (Because I Can’t Help Myself)

Quick side note: I had a couple last summer ask me where they could get the “real Albanian” experience, even though they’d just bought a beachfront property in Ksamil. I told them to visit Lukovë on a weekday and buy tomatoes from the roadside stalls. Then sit at the small café by the road, the one with plastic chairs and the strong raki. They came back two days later with big smiles. “You were right,” they said.

Sometimes real estate is about numbers. ROI. Appreciation. Price per square meter.

But sometimes? It’s about tomatoes, raki, and a view so good it makes you forget you were supposed to check your emails.

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