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Leaving the US for Albania: American couple choose Shkodra to live and for the birth of their son, they give him an Albanian name

2026-03-30 20:56:52Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Leaving the US for Albania: American couple choose Shkodra to live and for the

An American couple has chosen Albania to give birth to their child, a move that defies the usual trend of emigrating for birth. Ian and Annie, who have been living in Shkodra for six months, became parents to a son, whom they named Arlo Dren Lanphier, giving him an Albanian middle name.

Annie, the little boy's mother, says that the decision to give birth in Albania was easier than she thought.

"It was a very positive experience. We had planned this move and then we found out I was pregnant, so it was a surprise. Everything went very well, even better than in the US. Seeing how many children there are here, I thought I was in good hands. Albania has a better maternal mortality rate than the US, so I felt safe," Annie Flaherty tells Euronews.

Ian, the little boy's father, says that Shkodra immediately captivated them and that they are planning to build their lives in this city.

"The people here are incredibly welcoming and friendly. The pace of life is more relaxed, you can stop and have a coffee, and we really appreciate that. We also liked the name 'Dren' for the boy, to create a connection with Albania, if he will feel this identity in the future," says Ian Lanphier.

The head of the maternity service in Shkodra, Sajmir Selmanaj, describes this case as special.

"The pregnancy was followed regularly and the birth was performed by surgery. Everything went normally and the patient was very satisfied. It is not common for US citizens to choose to give birth here, but she was positively surprised by the conditions and care," says Sajmir Selmanaj.

Ian adds that their choice has surprised some Albanians, but he is convinced they made the right decision:

“Many Albanians jokingly tell us: ‘We would trade places with you and live in the US.’ But I think times are changing. Albania has a very bright future and there are many opportunities,” says Ian Lanphier

This case comes at a time when more and more foreigners are choosing Albania to live, appreciating the cost of living, the slower pace, and the hospitality.

Ian and Annie's story brings a counter-intuitive perspective to the traditional one, showing that Albania can also be a desirable destination for international families looking for a safe and welcoming place to build their lives.


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