What is it like to move to and live in Malta?
This small archipelago in the Mediterranean is known for its historic sites and warm climate.
Malta attracts plenty of tourists, but also a good number of people who want to move to the island.
That’s why I’m excited to interview Sarah, who calls Malta home now, to find out more about what living in Malta year-round is really like.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, and share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home.
Living in Malta
Name: Sarah
Age: Far older than I dare to admit
Hometown: London, UK
Her Story:
”Since I was a child, I have always loved to travel, and throughout my working life, I have worked for various airlines and tour operators.
But in January 2002, fed up with sending other people on vacation, I decided to leave my job and set off to explore the world.
I was only planning to be away for six months to maybe a year, but I loved my traveling adventures so much that I never actually returned to my home in the UK.
I spent eight months exploring South East Asia, then headed to Australia.
When my year was almost up, instead of returning to England, I thought, well, I may never be this close to New Zealand again, so I headed there for a few months. As funds were running low, I found work in a hostel in Christchurch in exchange for bed and board and a little bit of pocket money.
After that, I went to Thailand with the intention of returning back to the UK, but then I found a job teaching English. And teaching English in SE Asia helped to pay for more travel adventures.
In total, I spent 13 years living in Thailand, two years in Laos, and two years in Portugal and now Malta, which has been my home for the last three years.”
Why Did You Move to Malta?
”After two years of living in Portugal, my partner and I were restless and looking for somewhere else to live.
After living in Asia, I found living on Portugal’s Atlantic coast too cold for me, and I didn’t fancy moving to the Algarve.
We considered France and Italy. But we had friends we knew from our time in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who were living in Malta and loved it, and suggested we give there a try.
It was good to move to a country with sunny weather, with a network of friends already in place, and not have to worry about language barriers.
Maltese is a difficult language to learn; believe me, I’ve tried, but English is one of the two languages spoken here.
Plus, being British and no longer part of the EU, living in Malta meant I could keep traveling around Europe without having to worry about staying more than 90 days in a 180 day period.”
What Do You Like About Living in Malta?
”The weather is probably the number one reason why I like living in Malta – I need to see plenty of sun and blue skies. But it can get silly hot in July and August.
And even though it’s a tiny island, just 27 kilometers long, there’s plenty to see and do in Malta.
Malta has a long history and even has Neolithic temples that predate the pyramids. If you’re interested in history, you will find many things of interest to see around the islands.
There are always fiestas and festivals going on, shows in English at the theatre, and classical concerts.
If you prefer bars and nightclubs, then head to St Julian’s.
But as I get older, I find I prefer the more sleepy feel of the Three Cities, where I live now, which is just a short ferry ride from Valletta, Malta’s tiny capital.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Malta?
”The lack of respect for nature.
For some reason, Malta loves concrete, and trees are the number one enemy.
Fortunately, the buildings are protected here in the Three Cities, so you won’t find the soulless giant apartment blocks you see going up in other parts of the island, but more green would be nice.
Other than that, there aren’t many bad things about living in Malta, in my opinion.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
Is Malta Safe as a Place to Live?
I feel very safe living in Malta.
But yes, of course, there’s crime, as anywhere, but very little.
Most incidences in Malta seem to happen around the nightlife area of Paceville and are usually alcohol or drug-related.
But I feel quite safe and comfortable walking late at night by myself around the neighborhood.”
What Is Your Favourite Thing to Do in Malta?
”I love walking my dog (a rescue dog from Thailand) around the Three Cities.
I never get bored of the views over the Grand Harbour. But I also really enjoy visiting the theatre and going to concerts.
I also enjoy volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteer work on the island, and it’s a great way to meet like-minded people too.
I teach English to the refugees, and I help out at the local cat sanctuary twice a week.”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Malta?
”I love having a relaxing lunch with friends in a harbourside restaurant.
My two favorite restaurants near me are Aroy-D and Novità.
I’m not really a beach person, but for those that love the beach, the best beaches can be found on the north side of Malta.”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Malta?
”There’s a large international community in Malta.
Even in the tiny town I live in, you’ll find a mix of British, Americans, French, German, Swedish, and Italians.
There are plenty of networking opportunities, and finding new friends when you move to Malta is relatively easy.”
Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Malta?
”Before moving to Malta, do come and visit first to find out if it’s right for you.
Never sign up for a place to rent without seeing it first; sadly, there are a few apartment scams over here.
If you want quiet but easy access to Valletta, then check out the Three Cities as an area to live. If you are looking more for beaches, try the area around Mellieha or even Gozo.
If you plan to work here in Malta, consider living around Sliema.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Malta?
”There are many helpful websites to help with your move to Malta.
Identity Malta – This website is the official website for obtaining visas and residency permits for living in Malta.
The Tallinnja Card – All about public transportation around Malta. Once you have your residency sorted for Malta, all bus fares are free.
For finding accommodation, check Quicklets and Dhalia.
The Facebook page Expats in Malta and, if you’re interested in living around Valletta and the Three Cities, the Friends of Cottonera Facebook page are both good for finding information about anything related to life in Malta.”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Malta?
”Be sure to visit the island’s capital Valletta, step away from the main Republic Street, and explore the back streets. Filled with historical sites and good restaurants and cafes, Valletta is a beautiful city to explore.
Mdina, the island’s first capital, and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk are definitely worth visiting as well.
The Blue Lagoon on Comino is cool to see but avoid visiting in summer as it’s far too crowded. But out of season, it’s a must-visit.”
About Sarah
Sarah used to run the blog Life Part 2 and Beyond with her partner, Jonathan Look.
Jonathan passed away recently. So now she runs the blog to keep his memory alive and fulfill their list of bucket list adventures they had planned to do together.
About Malta
Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean. Only the three largest islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino, are inhabited.
The official languages are Maltese and English, but a large part of the population also speaks (some) Italian.
Malta’s location in the center of the Mediterranean historically gave it great strategic importance, resulting in a rich history.
Over the centuries the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Sicilians, Aragonese, French, British, and others have ruled here.
Most recently, Malta was a British colony, until it became independent in 1964. The country is part of the Commonwealth now, and also part of the EU and the Eurozone.
The capital city of Malta is Valletta, which is a very small city, with a population of around 6,000, out of a total population in Malta of just over half a million.
And although that may sound like a small population, due to its small size, Malta is actually one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.
The economy of Malta relies heavily on tourism. The country attracts visitors all year round because of its sunny climate, rich history, and the Maltese, who are known for their warmth and hospitality.
Also Read:
- A Luxury Vacation in Malta – The Best Things to Do
- How to Retire Early and Go Abroad
- 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad
Like this article about life in Malta? Pin it!
