Have you thought of spending a season in Malta? Here, we will tell you why living in Malta may be a good fit for you.
We’ll share about the style and quality of life, the climate, where to live, how to choose the best accommodation, what plans you can make… Furthermore, we will give you tips and advice to discover the advantages of studying and working in Malta.
Pay full attention because this post will increase your desire to know the top fashionable European island: Malta. Let us begin!
Living in Malta | How To Spend A Season In This Mediterranean Paradise
It might seem like you are throwing yourself into a wild adventure. And you are! But there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Living in Malta gives you all the advantages of a European lifestyle, like Spain or Ireland, with the wild side of the Mediterranean.
Style and Quality of Life in Malta
Due to its size, this island is not among the countries with the best quality of life in the world. However, this destination of beaches and golden buildings has a myriad of benefits for you. For example, its unemployment rate was 4.5% for 2020. That’s lower than other countries with less than 1 million inhabitants such as Luxembourg where it was 6.7%. ?
Interesting Facts of Malta
- The average lifespan in Malta is 82 years.
- The percentage at risk of poverty is at 16.3%, lower than countries such as Portugal at 19.5% and Italy at 19.9%. This speaks of a stronger economy.
- It is one of the EU countries where fewer people get divorced. For the year 2018, only 349 applications were registered.
- The monthly average salary is around 2.000 euros (in 2021).
- Out of 130 countries assessed, Malta ranks 35th in the human capital index. This indicator measures the quality of people’s education. Also, their access to well-paid jobs, access to the health system, sufficient living conditions, etc.
Weather in Malta
By living in Malta you are going to find a destination that enjoys more than 300,000 hours of sunshine a year! Therefore, it is one of the favorite destinations for tourists who want to sunbathe and have fun. According to Statista, this country receives more than 2 million tourists every year.
Besides, it is considered one of the places in which a Mediterranean climate predominates. That is hot summers, mild winters, and occasional rains in autumn.
The average temperature is 30º and the hottest months are July, August, and part of September. On the other hand, the coldest and most rainy months are December, January, and February. Keep this in mind when you pack your luggage!
Cost of living in Malta
Before going into details, keep in mind that the costs to live in Malta depend on the area you choose. Also, the type of accommodation and the lifestyle you want to have will impact the costs. However, these are the approximate prices according to Expatistan, so that you have a better idea:
Accommodation in Malta
- Rent of a furnished apartment of 85 m2 in a beach area: € 1,570.
- For a furnished apartment of 85 m2 in a normal area: € 1,000.
- To rent a 45 m2 furnished apartment in a beach area you’ll need € 900.
- Rent of a 45 m2 furnished apartment in a normal area: € 750.
Services
- The costs for electricity, water, and electricity for two people can be between € 80 and € 120.
- The costs of the same services for just one person are between € 50 and € 70.
- You can find monthly Internet plans from € 30.
Food
- If you are going to eat lunch in a normal area is from € 15.
- Do you want something cheaper? There are other options such as fast food from € 8.
- A week-long market runs for just one person that includes milk, bread, eggs, and other breakfast items can be around € 20.
- Personal care and cleaning products for the home can cost you from € 35 per month.
Transportation
- If you are going to move by car, the ¼ gallon of gasoline is close to € 2.
- Monthly spending on public transport tickets is around € 35.
- If you are going to take the ferry, it costs approximately € 5 each way.
- You can rent a bike for € 3 a day.
Fun while living in Malta
- Movie tickets for two people cost around € 16.
- Cappuccino costs around € 2.
- A beer can be found from € 4.
- Dinner for two can cost € 60.
Where to live in Malta?
The cities of Malta are beautiful, and they are also very small. So rather than recommending the best neighborhoods or areas to live in Malta, we are going to explain the advantages of the cities. Thus, you can choose the one that suits you best!
Valletta
Did you know that the capital of Malta was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980? The center of Valletta is steeped in history, as Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, among others, all left a mark here. Therefore, it has more than 320 historical monuments.
Another cool aspect of this city is that there is a good transport system. Here are all the administrative buildings of the country. But that does not mean that Valletta loses the bohemian and charming atmosphere you’d expect living in Malta.
Msida
Close to Valletta is another of the most important cities of Malta. In Msida, you’ll find the campus of the University of Malta and part of the Wied Ghollieqa nature reserve. So, yes, it is a quiet area, which highlights the bohemian atmosphere.
The rents vary depending on the location, but since it is also a student area, you will find good options.
St Julian’s and Sliema
No, we cannot mention them separately, as both cities are favorites of tourists and students. On one, you will find different restaurants and bars to have a good time with friends. On the other, you’ll find the beaches. They are not the best in Malta, since in high season they are usually packed, but they have a good atmosphere.
If you don’t have a problem with noise, these two bustling cities can be a good option to live in Malta. Although, we advise your accommodation to be far from Paceville Street because it is the epicenter of parties in the land of honey.
St Paul’s Bay
It is the name given to three coastal areas of Malta: Bugibba, Qawra, and St Paul’s. They do not have such a broad proposal regarding restaurants and bars. You can go for many water activities on the ocean and water parks. If seafood is what makes you tick, this is the place for you!
Gozo
It is located just 45 minutes to the north of the island of Malta by ferry. This island has a natural charm, perfect for travelers who prefer quiet spaces. Here, outdoor activities and water sports such as diving are at the order of the day.
Gozo is not a city, but an island that groups the “towns” of Marsalforn, Xlendi, and Victoria. But we mention it because in any of the three you can find a job offer related to tourism while living in Malta. Also, rentals are cheaper than in Valletta! 😉
There are other cities, but they are too quiet and small. For example, the group known as the Three Cities is more to visit than to live. But, be sure to do so when you are in Malta!
What to do in Malta?
Now, it’s time to move on to the juicy stuff: all the plans you can go for on the island. For this, its size does not matter! The smallest country in Europe has countless plans for all tastes and budgets.
Top Activities in Malta
- You cannot miss the megalithic temples. These historical relics were also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Visit Mdina and Rabat! They have human settlements older than 4,000 years old.
- If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, see The Azure Window, the Fort of Ricasoli, and other locations.
- The St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a must. There you will see various works by Caravaggio.
- In Valletta, there is also one of the best restaurants in Malta: the Sotto pizzeria.
- Dive around the sunken HMS Maori or cave diving in Comino.
- Enjoy horse riding at Golden Bay.
- Spend a day at the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
- Explore the Tarxien and Ggantija temples and don’t miss the National Museum of Archaeology!
- See a show at the stunning Manoel Theatre and Museum.
Best Party Zones in Malta
Apart from the historical and cultural tours, living in Malta gives you access to so many types of fun. For that, we recommend Sliema and St Julian’s. In the first one, you will find Hole in the Wall, a pub founded in 1922. It offers the best beers and coffees in Malta.
There is also Plow & Anchor Pub, which has a traditional atmosphere. If you want to taste the best of Maltese food, stop by Ta ’Kris. In St Julian’s you will also find impressive restaurants such as Storie & Sapori, Caviar and Bull (Michelin star), Wigis Kitchen. For a cocktail, visit The Thirsty Barber. You won’t regret it 😉
Studying in Malta
Malta is one of the most popular destinations for international students. Not only because English is one of its official languages (the other is Maltese), but also because it offers a very chill atmosphere to have a great time.
Now, if you want to study a career in Malta, this destination has a quality academic offer. For example, the University of Malta (L-Università ta ’Malta) is among the top 1000 in the world. Besides, in Malta, you can study at many world-famous institutions: the London School of Commerce Malta, the Middlesex University Malta, and the International Maritime Law Institute, among others.
Studying and Working
The starting point to study abroad should always be to choose the type of visa you’ll need. Why? There are different types of permits to work abroad as a student. If you are a European citizen, it will be easier to obtain the permits because Malta belongs to the EU. And, if you do not have these nationalities, you must apply for one of the visas for Malta.
However, have you heard about ETIAS? Some countries are exempt and have a free pass such as Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela. Keep in mind that Malta doesn’t have embassies everywhere. Here you can check if your country has a Maltese embassy.
After obtaining your permit, you must spend at least three months of your stay. And then you can look for work in Malta. Remember that if you study, there is a maximum of 20 hours a week that you can work. The portals where you can search are JobsPlus (official government website), Monster Malta, Keepmeposted, Indeed, or Malta Jobs. Also on Facebook… Don’t forget to broaden your networking!
Be sure to check out our post on studying and working in Malta!
Living in Malta with GrowPro
Malta is a destination that you cannot miss and that’s totally worth knowing. At GrowPro, we want you to live a new experience without complications. Therefore, we have several alternatives to accompany you through your stay if you are looking to live in Malta. Check them out!
Now you know all the advantages of living in Malta. If you choose to go with us, we will make sure everything runs smoothly. We can help you get your visa, select accommodation, and help you plan every single step. Choose your ideal experience, fill out the form and one of our Students Advisors will contact you. What’s your pick?
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