Living in Malta

Look beyond a locality’s reputation

Sliema and St Julian’s offer seafront walks and concentrations of shops, restaurants and offices, but a busy waterfront and a residential side street are different places to live. In Valletta and the Three Cities, traditional homes and historic streets bring their own questions about stairs, access, parking and the condition of older buildings. View the street as carefully as the apartment.

Central localities such as Birkirkara, Mosta and Naxxar may be worth considering if your routine takes you across Malta rather than along the seafront. Farther north, Mellieħa and St Paul’s Bay need to be assessed against your regular journeys, not just their appeal on a day off. Gozo offers a different setting again, but a home there needs to work with the crossing if employment, appointments or family commitments are on Malta.

Build a budget around the home you actually choose

There is no single cost of living that describes everyone’s experience here. Rent depends on the area, size, condition and features of the home. Add utilities, internet, groceries and transport to the rent you are considering, then leave room for occasional costs and the spending that matters to your household. A lower rent may not mean a lower total budget if it creates a longer or more expensive commute.

Before taking a rental, ask whether water and electricity are included or billed separately, how readings are recorded and how you will see the bills. Air-conditioning use can change electricity consumption, so ask about the units and how the home is ventilated. Confirm what “furnished” includes rather than assuming every appliance, kitchen item or piece of furniture in the photographs will remain.

Test the journey, not just the distance

Malta is small on a map, but distance alone tells you little about a commute. Check routes and timetables with Malta Public Transport, including the last useful service if you work late. If you will drive, investigate parking near both your home and workplace. If you will walk, try the route: hills, pavement continuity and busy roads can affect how comfortable it feels.

Make the first weeks manageable

Agree with the landlord how repairs should be reported and record the condition of the home at handover. Arrange internet in good time if you depend on it for work. Check your healthcare entitlement or insurance for your own circumstances, rather than assuming that living in Malta automatically provides the same cover for everyone. Once these practicalities are settled, it is much easier to enjoy the daily routines that drew you here.