Outages
Sometimes you can go a whole two months 'sans interruptions', and sometimes not. Storms, frequent floods - these acts of nature can plunge whole neighbourhoods into darkness, sometimes for hours at a time.
It's October 2025, and I'm sitting typing at a small computer desk in an apartment near the port. Though there hasn't been a power outage here for almost two weeks, when the next one hits, it'll be about the 6th I'll have experienced since returning to Durrës at the start of September. Most lasted only a few minutes, while one went on for about 4 hours. If you work on a laptop with a good battery, you'll likely wait it out, but PC users are toast. Time to buy or bring an Uninterruptible Power Supply with you.
One worry voiced by expats is being trapped in a lift during a power cut, not least because their interiors mostly insulate the occupants from phone signals. While it's possible that your building's lift will have a safety feature that will return you to the ground and open the doors, it's definitely worth checking this with your apartment block building manager or check via your estate agent while renting or buying.
As for better or worse neighbourhoods, many expats report that the Vollga and Currila areas suffer fewer outages, likely due to their more recent construction.
Insight takeaways:
- Outages are almost guaranteed after a big storm, but it's a lottery as to which areas will be affected and for how long.
- If you're reliant on a PC and a wifi router, it's probably a good idea to pack an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). I'll make a list of shops where they might be available.