Tropoje, Albania

Living in Tropoje, Albania is a blunt proposition - the municipality boasts just 20,517 residents, and the region's remote Valbonë Valley location brings its fair share of challenges. The seat of the municipality, Bajram Curri, is home to over 14,000 people, but the municipal unit of Tropoje itself has a population of only 2,560. While the area has been inhabited since ancient times, today's residents contend with an oceanic climate that averages 10.2°C annually. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the town and wider municipality spread across multiple administrative units. This rugged corner of northeastern Albania is best suited for those seeking an off-the-grid alpine lifestyle, far removed from the trappings of modern convenience.