Has anyone lived in Malta, or knows anyone who has? I was wondering what the quality of life is like there. On paper it looks very attractive, in terms of climate, culture, apartments, English language, etc but would love to hear from anyone who has actually experienced it.

I have. It's horrific and primitive. It's dusty and cultureless and bomb-wrecked. It also has a very small-town mentality with various strange religious and political sub-groups. Many people are also openly racist especially towards Libyans and other North Africans. On the plus side it's sunny and cheap.

Not even for holidays ???

Oh yeah I guess for holidays it'd be OK, although I can think of much nicer places in the Med. Also it's not very pretty.

Gosh, not keen then. How long ago was that?

Very recently. I suppose there are negatives to anywhere, but if you like life on the Med, there's Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Gaza....

Thanks! Just as a matter of interest, do you like living in Switzerland?

Pretty much yes. Switzerland makes everything easy, especially if you work. It's also very beautiful and clean and safe and on the downside it's quite primitive in many ways.

I'm doubtful as to whether I could end up here though, simply because I'd never be accepted as "one of them".

Thanks again. I agree entirely by the way and can't see myself being fully integrated and accepted here either. Also, although it is stunningly beautiful and clean, the week upon week of fog/mist/greyness is pretty depressing (here in Zug anyway).

I do not know if I want to saty here forever but I really like it here. Basel is usually bright if not sunny only a few days are gray.
Economisto: I cant believe you'd rather be in Gaza than Malta, taht bad really?

Gosh Economisto, you must have had a rough time there to have such a definitive opinion on the islands. No mention of the fascinating history, the warm weather throughout the year, the laid back lifestyle and the fact that the Maltese can be extremely welcoming and friendly if one's got an insight into who they are.

It's a small island with an education system that sucks and they're lumped with the Catholic Church I suppose, and racism does raise its ugly head at times - true. Try any small town in the middle of the sticks and you're bound to find the same ugly symptoms but I've known many a happy expat who's made the most of living on the sunny islands. It's not for everyone - I never felt fulfilled there and quickly scurried off to the big city.

I do suggest to dear Nicolaschulz to try it out for him/herself for a short time. Try and stay in a self-catering apartment not in a hotel so that you integrate as much as possible with the Maltese. Involve yourself in whatever you're into in Malta; say if you're into theatre and creativity, make sure you visit St James Cavalier in Valletta and get to know people with the same interest. You must invest time and energy in getting to know a place before moving there. Can't see how else you can come to any objective decision.

A few years ago in Zurich I worked with an English guy who lived 15 years in Malta with his Maltese wife, the pictures he showed me made it look more like a war zone. He didn't have a good word to say about it or the people.

Probably best to visit and make your own mind up, but it isn't on my list of places to go....

I forgot to mention that although you think English is OK in Malta the reality according to my collegue was very different. English will mark you as a foreigner.....

We went on holiday there in November with my sil and bil from the UK. We had a 'spare' timeshare week, and Malta came up. We had no idea what to expect- but sil and bil had been reading about the plight of Malta during the Second World War, and were fascinated. We stayed in the North of the Island, and we had the most interesting time. We visited every crook and cranny - especially the less busy areas, like all the amazing neolithic Temples and sites, old villages, remote beaches. Our day in Gozo, the Island in the North, was stunning too. We found several great restaurants, with delicious food and great service. Despite being lat Nov, the temperature was betw. 22 and 24C, and sunny every day. Our day visit to Valletta was great- we walked the old street all day. It is very poor as soon as you get away from the centre - but felt very safe. There was some excellent shops, including a very smart M/S, and great restaurants too. We did a boat tour, which was amazing. And everybody was really friendly and welcoming. There were many very old Leyland buses- some dating from the 50s - so last day we decided to return to the airport by bus. It costs us about 50p for a 1h30 journey to Valetta! The driver was great, crunching the gears and somehow getting the bus around the smallest of streets- and the bus station looked like a scene from Cuba. Next journey to the airport was shorter, but just as great. Yes, Valletta streets are fascinating, but run down - the old wooden balconies jutting out often still damaged by bombing. Some of the old tailors, garages, corner shops, etc, are just like they were in the 50s.
My sil and bil liked the area so much ( and they have travelled all over the world in style) they are considering renting a place for the whole of the UK winter there next year. The old medieval capital, Medina, was just so beautiful- so stunningly simple with all its golden stone buildings, a delight. It is true that there is racism against Africans- it is only a short journey by boat and, sadly, those African youngsters are becoming a problem as they seek a living whichever way they can. But this is not worse than in Gran Canaria or Tenerife, or Sicily, or indeed Calais. Their behaviour was not in any threatening though.

As usual, horses for courses. I'd love to go back and spend more time there. Driving is on the left and language is English, although Maltese speak their own language amongst themselves. I'd try it and see how it feels for YOU, really. Bonne chance.

I did some consulting work there. Odile is right in what she says.

My main concern if I were to live there, either Gozo or the Main island, is the land size. The entire country has 300km2 of surface area, and is densely populated.

Just my 2c's

How about the cost of life there? Are food and drinks comparable to Greece for example?

Thanks Tiny Tim. I'm surprised that you say the Island is overpopulated- we drove through miles and miles of lovely countryside and rural areas, especially in the West and North.
The one thing I forgot to say is that we were told it can be unbearably hot in July/Aug. The Island w looked very lush and green in Nov. but it may be very different in Summer. Prices are more expensive than Greece, but cheaper than UK - and much cheaper than CH - I suppose with salaries in proportion.

Hi Odile, I said it was densely populated, not overpopulated - one the most densely populated in relation to its land size.

I know what you say about there being some rural areas and countryside, but I guess for me its just too small a country in size. And I never really felt I was getting away from any sort of contact with the human population, which is not knocking humans, I guess I just like to know there are places to go to for a little alone time.

Avoid IT/Gaming jobs there... Everyone is going to shut up shop and leave... IT in general is very poorly paid there.
There offshore industry is suffering due to harmonisation with Global Banking rules too...

Thank you everybody for the useful information. I'm planning to visit Malta this April, so now I have an idea of what to expect.

Looking forward to hear how you got on.