Malta best place to live, for expatriates

Antoinette Scerri

Jan 13th 2011, 18:57

The 15% tax rate is a speacial rate under what is called the permanent residents scheme. Those retiring in Malta and satisfy all conditions will be taxed at 15% on all income remitted to Malta. They must lease or buy property in Malta - one of the conditions. Good scheme to attract taxpayers to Malta !!

GiovDeMartin0

Jan 13th 2011, 17:50

Biex imaqdru lil PAJJIZHOM, haw xi whud, il-gideb kollu jivvintaw. Il-barranin kwazi kollha jfahhru lil dil-bicca blata u Maltin jaraw kif imaqdru. Araw l-ahbarijiet ta' barra, x'hin tridu u meta tridu, u jkollkom tammettu li Malta m'hawx fid-dinja ahjar minnha. Xi hadd qal li trid tkun sinjur biex tghix Malta. Mela sewwa nghid jien li AHNA KOLLHA SINJURI.

Michael Darmanin

Jan 13th 2011, 14:23

I think any comparisons made by the article writer have to be taken with regard to American conditions. Crime rates are predominently calculated by murder and other heavy crimes in America. Murder is a daily occurence in some american cities. Luckily for us this is not so in Malta. Petty theft and breakins are to be found everywhere. Even in those lovely Austrian towns which head most lists ( I live in one and I know what I am talking about). But I do admit that the article sounds very naive. It does not consider environmental issues, overpopulation, overcrowding at the beaches, noise etc. On the other hand Malta's taxation and bills are still comparatively cheaper than most in Austria. And before someone as usual says but the wages are higher...not so true and we have one of the highest tax rates in Europe. In Austria I pay taxes to have my rubbish removed, to use the motorway, on the amount of drainage water I discharge besides having VAT and all the usual taxes oh and 35% income tax would be a dream come true for many Austrians.

Pamela Hansen

Jan 13th 2011, 10:35

Comparisons are odious and as with everything else there are swings and roundabouts.
Yes, some expats will be better off here than in most other places, if anything because no one can dispute that our climate is fantastic.
But as to the rest the journalist who wrote the article in question could not have done much homework.

Joseph Galea

Jan 13th 2011, 04:56

FACT: Malta's Weather and climate are great - but the weather is not everything...

Malta can be a GREAT place to live in IF money is NOT a problem for you.

However, if you have to work for your money in malta, you will have a hard time - lowest wages in europe, food, fuel, electricity, water and everything is expensive.

Flat tax at 15%? no way, if you have an average income you get taxed at 35% + ever raising social contributions.

Want to buy a property in Malta? Minimum of 9% tax + Other expenses. Dont even think of buying a property if you have a Maltese salary because you will have to work for 40 years to pay it over.


CONCLUSION: Malta is great to live if you are rich, but the total opposite if you are the average guy with the average salary that is trying to make end met.

A.Mifsud

Jan 12th 2011, 23:51

...considering everything we're living in a hell of a great island (no pun intended) and a good quality life too! It's a relatively safe and laid back place - and who says otherwise has no idea what living real life in most other countries is all about!! Living goes well beyond the usual bull we enjoy to moan about everyday!

We're so lucky and we simply don't acknowledge it!

Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Jan 12th 2011, 23:43

And Zambabwe? Is this a joke. You should look at the Australian government advice for Australians intending to visit Zimbabwe: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/zimbabwe. I also like the reference to fireworks!

Ernie Vella

Jan 12th 2011, 23:14

Its looks rather obvious that the people defending their views regarding the negative comments are the people then have never ventured further then their door step, we the learned once who travelled and live outrside further afield outside Malta, Others DO NOT KNOW ANY DIFFERENT -BLESS THEM- what they never had they 'll never miss. Actually as a returned migrant from Australia i can actually tell who has travelled and lived abroad from the once that don't know anything how the other half lives, one aspect comes to mind is the way they drive, no signals and definitly no courtecy to other road users, and these are just give away signs that in Malta the people defending their views by saying that Malta is the best place is because they love the smell of money from aliens ie, the British are in majority, i will probably get feed back saying , why return?answer in short.............My family and my old folks are still here in this country, plus the fact that i am now not working class,i earned and saved enpough to tkae life easy at leisure

Josef Zarb

Jan 12th 2011, 19:52

Are these people serious?? This country is a total mess. I dare to say it's one of the worse in Europe. so please stop deluding the public !!

Joseph Mifsud

Jan 12th 2011, 18:59

off all those commenting on this news item no one said anything on the huge adverse impact of foreigners buying propjety in such a small overpopulated island on our environment, and the price Maltese young couples has to pay for a dull and airless apparment.
can someone explain to me why an English citizen who lived his life on the islands of Scilly has the right to buy a property and live in Malta and a Maltese citizen, both EU citizens, don't have the right to buy a property and live on the islands of Scilly ?
isn't this discremination, looking at it from both the environmental and free movement side of the EU constitution .

Leif Nielsen

Jan 12th 2011, 18:23

The last 25years - have I spent my hollydays on Malta, no problems at all, everything are allright, friendly people, nice weather - stayed mostly in B´buggia - Copenhagen

Raissa Tabone

Jan 12th 2011, 15:33

It is so true that Malta's biggest problem are the Maltese! You should be ashamed of yourselves for writing hateful comments about your own country. Every country has its positive and negative aspects, but considering we're a tiny island, I'd say we have many things to be proud of.
All those who hate their own country, then just leave, will you?! We don't need your negative energy! No one is stopping you!!!

C.Busuttil

Jan 12th 2011, 13:06

@Alan Grech

If Malta is very scruffy its because of the Maltese therefore you are part of the problem LOL

I've been abroad various times and what impresses me most is the manner they cherish their heritage, culture and traditions while we try to ridicule and destroy ours. Even in Gozo they appreciate and care much more than we do in Malta.

According to many foreigners that come here they are impressed by way of life(not standard) as we Maltese are outgoing and like to enjoy ourselves. I myself lived in Vienna for six months its a great place but social life is very boring during the week and it wasn't during the colder months !!!!!! Here in Malta from May to October it takes 5 minutes to go swimming abroad it can take hours.

This country is not perfect but neither that bad if only we Maltese can look after its environment and its cultural heritage it would much better.

Kevin Mejlaq

Jan 12th 2011, 12:56

What's all this fuss all about?? Yes it's true; Malta has got the perfect weather! 3/4 of the time it's sunny and warm; ex in UK it's totally the other way round were 3/4 of the year is raining and cloudy!

However the reailty is that everything / everywhere has got it's advantages and disadvantages. Obvioulsy residents in Malta knows exactly the situation we all are in at the moment! The Main problem is that the wages are very very low compared to the cost of living... basically in Malta you work to live, (buying food, paying bills, gas etc..) if you want money than you have to find a part time job + the full time.... which is not fair as you end up working, working and working.

Than of course living on such a small island there is no competion at all; so rates of telephone calls, internet service, "mobile contracts" etc.. are quite high and there's not too many choices either compared to other EU contries.

About safety.... yes maybe it is safer than other counries!

Retire here???? ahhhh welll than it's a different story! Very nice! Beautifull Sea, Nice people... it's Perfect !!!!

J Fava

Jan 12th 2011, 12:43

Guys stop arguing! Don't you even realize that this is a massive and FREE advert of our country! These are the things that stimulate our economy - Tourism! Just think every foreign person who reads this gets a great idea of our country and this could be the next holiday destination for them! After all many tourists who come to Malta actually love it the way it is here so no complaints!!!

Alan Grech

Jan 12th 2011, 09:30

@ R Muscat: Boy, haven't you ever been out? malta is a very very scruffy place, true the weather is ok, but that's the only saving grace lol

R Borg

Jan 12th 2011, 08:22

There are some people here that manage to turn all the local news into negative ones. Always grumbling, moaning etc... Please get a live! Yes living in Malta is a heaven compared to other places so please see the positive things for once!!

m formosa

Jan 12th 2011, 07:18

I had been following International living years while we lived in Canada. Anybody can log into www.internationalliving.com and get the true facts. Malta only came in first for the climate, and even this does not make sense as there are lots of other countries with much better weather, where you can actually go out and breath fresh air, not diesel fumes.

William Patrick

Jan 12th 2011, 05:59

It amazes me how damn ungrateful people can be with where they live. I have lived most of my life in South Africa and trust me when I say you people have NO idea how good you have it!!! We don't just have crime here (like every country in the world) we have Violent crime, where if there is a house break in, they don't just take what they want, they make damn sure they will also rape your family in front of you, beat them, shoot them, maime them, emotionally & physically scar them for life, car jackings are in exactly the same line. Our crime has an immense hatred attached to it. Then we can take a quick look at the way the country is run. Those in power like to fatten their own, friends & families pockets! They are placed into top management positions, milk the company or government dry then bale out! Leaving the company in financial ruins or the government looking to take out more international loans to make up for the corruption. Don't even get me started on our national electricity supplier, that will make you cringe if all else still hasn't.

C.Busuttil

Jan 12th 2011, 01:55

1) For americans ocean means the sea. Imma ahna bravi
2) Malta is relatively a safe country, people are friendly and helpful.
3) This island maybe not the garden of eden however it has its charm although greedy Maltese are ruining what our ancestors have left us. Ghax ahna illum bravi mhux bhal qabel
4) Malta has its folklore and traditions however a stupid snobbish mentality tries to ridicule them will foreigners like them. Ghax ahna moderni issa.

The greatest problem that Malta has, its the Maltese, who are losing their identity and ruining the place by overbuilding. Soon it would be too late and no tourist would come, not that I won't understand them, to see what ? the culture of Paceville or tal-Pepe

A NATION THAT RESPECTS ITSELF CARES FOR ITS ENVIRONMENT AND TRADITIONS.

MCaruana

Jan 11th 2011, 23:40

with reference to all the comments below the best place to live in is Longyearbyen. This place is in the northest part of the world above Norway. T emperatures during the year are as shown below
January to March -13
April -9
May-3
June 3
July 7
August 6
September 2
October -4
November -8
December -11

very nice !!!!
it makes part of region called svalbard u vera bard lol
population about 2000
there are also a university called unix can study subjects related with mining and polar

Lena Spiteri Melbourne

Jan 11th 2011, 23:29

Where and where on earth do they get these silly surveys from i wonder, oh thats good the ex-pats are moving into my country and we the CITIZENS OF MALTA born and breath are moving out to pastures new ie., australia, canada cause we cannot make ends meet due to high inflation and the highest water and electricity bills, Nice one Cyril./

Charles.C.Brown

Jan 11th 2011, 22:30

The only people who are having the time of their lives in Malta are the illigal immigrants!!

Steve Zammit

Jan 11th 2011, 22:05

Before conducting this survey, they should read ''Malta-Genna ta'l-art'' written by Guze Ellul Mercer....Come on, Malta is no Utopia, far from it!

Liz Ayling

Jan 11th 2011, 21:02

First, to correct the Times, I don't work for International Living magazine; I blog and run maltainsideout.com and IL asked me to comment since I've lived in Malta 16 years. The Times took a line or two of my write-up for IL, and IL itself left out part of my original submission where I said: "There's no promised land and Malta also fits within that category. ...Within a day, you can love and hate Malta". So, whether we're comparing so-called indices or emotive arguments, Malta is a mixed bag. One man's Malta heaven can indeed be another's Malta hell. In fact, my fellow IL commentator Barbara thought life here like a holiday each day. Not an experience I've had at all. But I do agree with taking a bigger picture and can't put it more eloquently than Jonathan Beacom. IL magazine is aimed at affluent US citizens wanting to relocate. Think of the irony then that the US came first in its quality of life index. Some US folk don't agree with that ranking if they are aim to relocate; just as we debate ours. It's all subjective.

Maureen Biggs

Jan 11th 2011, 20:27

Boy if someone shows me the picture above and try to convince me as Malta being the best or number 1 place to live, i just brush them off with a pinch of salt, its horrible, it looks more like an Algerian fishing village, where is the sun, the restaurants and the friendly locals unless ofcourse i were to dangle a 50 pound note infront of their nose. Pull the other one.for what i hear from friends Malta is now quite an expensive place to retire to.

C A Camilleri

Jan 11th 2011, 17:12

A pertinent question. If she had it so good here, how come she is not living the dream? And for info, the South of France has an average of 6 hours of sunshine a day while Costa del Sol, in Spain, has 8 hours. Malta has 5. Now go and eat the sun.

r.muscat

Jan 11th 2011, 15:45

we just dont know how good we have it ...

joseph sammut

Jan 11th 2011, 15:11

Please someone
tell this gentleman about the hold ups,and house breaking,on older peole

Mariette Borg

Jan 11th 2011, 15:07

"It said that in a quality of life survey, two countries tied first place for the best climate in the world but only one was safe, with a flat 15% tax rate, excellent health care and ocean views…"

Our flat tax rate is of 18%!

j.camenzuli

Jan 11th 2011, 15:01

Whay's this 'No property taxes'. As far as I know we pay tax when selling or buying property.

Phil Press

Jan 11th 2011, 14:24

"Expat Barbra Bode", "When she lived in Malta". That good she is no longer here !!.

A Schembri

Jan 11th 2011, 14:21

SAFE???????????? WITH THE HOLD UPS, CRAZY DRIVING, AND COST OF LIVING GETTING HIGHER EVERY YEAR!!!!! PLEASE IT IS AN OVER STATEMENT!!

Leon Zawadzki

Jan 11th 2011, 14:07

Malta may be in the number one spot at present, but things are changing fast. The number of expats from the UK that are returning back to the UK are increasing at a fairly fast rate. I personally know of seven who have returned in the past few month and a good few more who are thinking about it, and all for the same reason. The cost of living has increased so much over the past couple of years, that they cannot cope with their present day pensions and their savings which have been eroded by low interest rates.
Main concerns being the cost of food, water, gas and electricity.
Please don't believe that all ex pats have bags of money, they have to be as spend thrift as the Maltese in this age and time just to survive.

M. Falzon

Jan 11th 2011, 14:07

Was thinking of going to Bora Bora this summer but now I've decided to stay here and enjoy the Maltese "ocean views" (???). Come on, this country is no utopia at all.

Joseph Borg

Jan 11th 2011, 14:02

e all know that these two countries (Malta and Zimbabwe) have already been compared. I refer you to the article about Malta's roads:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090913/local/roads-in-malta-worse-than-zimbabwe-report

As to the phrase "crime hardly exists", it shows how the survey is unrealistic and not up-to-date. Everyone in Malta will agree that, unfortunately, crime is on the rise, except for the party in government which lives on the moon.

"no property taxes"...this is new! When you sell or buy a property, you have to pay tax.

j.cassar

Jan 11th 2011, 13:48

And according to Joseph and Tony we have beggars all around the place and people dying of hunger, people frustrated and dropping dead under the weight of the electricity, fuel and gas bills.

Diane Allsop

Jan 11th 2011, 13:39

People can read and believe anything, but we sure know different. and we are English. To be honestly Spain, Cyprus Malta Gib or Malta whatever, there is no place like home and thats the country where one is born and where the family are, lets face it the majority of ex-patriates that tend to or try to settle on Malta or Gozo are Older couples mostly pensioners- eigher divorced, separated or getting divorced.

Reuben David Spiteri

Jan 11th 2011, 13:36

Crime hardly exists... are we talking about the same country here?

Karl Farrugia

Jan 11th 2011, 13:24

"Crime hardly exists"
And they got this from....?

N. Pace

Jan 11th 2011, 13:15

What are you moaning about - it's good publicity for our country

Maaaa kemm teqirdu istra

Dspiteri

Jan 11th 2011, 13:15

thumbs up for our traditions, woderfull petards and colourful fireworks.

We love Malta. God bless our Saints

Mrs. Marion Zammit UK

Jan 11th 2011, 13:12

Malta used to be a safe haven but since the foreigners and the fat cats got a smell of their money, things have changed enormopusly and i wouldn't exactly say THE BEST PLACE, this to my mind is just another advert for the tourist industry why, cause ex-pats are now moving to much more cleaner and cheaper countries.

Henry Tozer

Jan 11th 2011, 13:10

"Crime hardly exists"

The author obviously hasn't been on a trip to Zebbug recently,

B.Attard

Jan 11th 2011, 13:07

Is this a joke or? Compared with Zimbabawe? Better survey the Maltese people about what they think having to be stuck on this island facing all the uncertianty from day to day.

Dolores Zahra

Jan 11th 2011, 13:03

To American s The Ocean is the Sea be it The Red Sea The Mediterrean or the Atlantic, do we have to be sarcastic about such a positive article.

victor rodenas

Jan 11th 2011, 12:51

Malta is the Garden of Eden ,if a very old skeleton with a missing rib is found...utmost attention must be given because it could belong to Adam.

Karl Abela

Jan 11th 2011, 12:46

They say that the grass is always greener on the other side. Just watch CNN for a few minutes and you will soon realise where the grass is defintely NOT green:

Not in Australia were floods have destroyed whole villages.
Not in Asia, were Tsunamis are an every day threat.
Not in the Far East, were women are stoned to death.
Not in the USA were terror threats and crime require a surveillance camera stuck onto every citizen's head.
Not in Africa were political unrest is starving people of food, water, medicine and education.
Not in Japan with shooting rampages in schools.
Not in many parts of Europe with the recent violent protests and soaring unemployment figures in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland.

All of a sudden, our bad roads and energy bills looks defintely greener than just about everywhere else in the world.

E.callus

Jan 11th 2011, 12:45

Climate here is really nice, warm sunny days in January! But come on Malta is too overcrowded. Whenever there is an event somewhere is full of people, traffic jams on Sundays and a big hassle to find a parking. Beaches in summer are overcrowded and what about property prices? A life mortgage on a gabuba!

brian j cammileri

Jan 11th 2011, 12:43

"Crime hardly exists,........."

*cough*

Mariella Galea

Jan 11th 2011, 12:21

even in December—“foreigners are coming in droves,” to the island republic of Malta...
Aha! so that's why there are 13 hotels closed this winter, hoteliers are scared of the stampede :)))))

Maybe in another time, another dimension!

Peter Korsten

Jan 11th 2011, 12:17

I distinctly remember that this magazine or something similar elected Malta as the best place to live in the past. And yes, the climate is fantastic. I remember going out one day when I lived in Amsterdam, nice weather, sunny, so I wore a light jacket. I ended up buying a The North Face jacket because I felt so cold and wet, just a few hours later.

Bertha Grech

Jan 11th 2011, 12:16

Are we sure they're talking about the Malta I know?

Lawrence Zammit

Jan 11th 2011, 12:13

You should Google search the title of this magazine! Talking about credible information sources!!

Jonathan Beacom

Jan 11th 2011, 12:10

@ Kathryn Schembri
Malta is obviously not ' Heaven on earth', but we Maltese are really fortunate to live in an independent and free country with a very high standard of living compared to most other places.

Many complain about one thing or another, and there is always room for improvement, but in general you must admit that we are are blessed with a great climate, an illustrious history, wonderfully friendly and kind people, extremely low unemployment, high quality education , free healthcare, excellent I.T. infrastructure......the list is endless!

Malta is ranked NUMBER 5 in the World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems, compared to the United States (at 37), Australia (at 32), United Kingdom (at 18) and Canada (at 30) and healthcare is FREE in Malta - in the USA only 27% have free healthcare.

It's not quite heaven on earth, but surely there is no better place to live!

@ CAMILLERI - When Americans say 'Ocean' they mean 'Sea'.

Stephen Koludrovic

Jan 11th 2011, 12:07

The island might not be the most idyllic place to live in, but I would rather live here than in a lot of other picture postcard places one sees.
True we might not be like Monte Carlo,but neither are we like Naples.

Marco Cremona

Jan 11th 2011, 12:05

Refreshing to see that expats love the country.

From the article, it seems that the country's best selling point is the weather. Hope we can be equally score top marks on the things we really have control on e.g. air quality, noise, quality of life, inefficient transportation, the way we build, etc.

Ocean views? Unless you live exactly on the seashore, seaviews are not guaranteed in Malta - a planning deficiency.

Robert Agius

Jan 11th 2011, 12:05

What a load of...

M Pisani

Jan 11th 2011, 12:00

Get real guys! It really shows that you never spent more than a "holiday" outside our beautiful islands! Ok...Maybe we might not be no.1 spot in the world but we're surely not very far off.

I wonder why you're all still here seeing you moan about EVERY SINGLE ISSUE!!

D. Mifsud

Jan 11th 2011, 12:00

All true what is said! However, though a far cry from Zimbabwe, they forget to mention though that the Church here has to poke its nose in everything, creating a sense of claustrophobia for people not feeling any sense of belonging to it, and that the government refuses to acknowledge full rights and civil liberties to anyone who doesn't fall into its "perceived norm". Heaven on earth? I don't think so ...

mark johnson

Jan 11th 2011, 11:59

Where is that picture taken please?

chris camilleri

Jan 11th 2011, 11:59

It is truly a great place to live in. . . in summer beaches are a few minutes away, in winter we have great trekking paths, its definitely great for kayaking. . . been to a competition in dubai lately and south african top class athletes approached me about coming to malta to train as we have perfect conditions. . . but what do you moaners know about that!!!

Granted cost of living is high and politics are pathetic to say the least. . . but that's common ground all over the world. . .

take this article as a compliment. . .see the positive!!

Mathilde Borg

Jan 11th 2011, 11:58

L-unika problema li ghandna Malta hi l-Gvern. M'hemmx li jzarma forsi nkunu pajjiz hafna ahjar.

M Pisani

Jan 11th 2011, 11:57

Personally, I don't believe that Malta is Heaven on Earth, however I would never go and live in another country. It is beautiful here, it is easy to travel, and the Maltese are very down to earth.

Those of you (probably more than half of the Maltese) who never find something good to say about our beloved country, please read the whole article here.
http://internationalliving.com/2011/01/the-two-best-climates-on-earth/

Natushka Mulvaney

Jan 11th 2011, 11:56

"Crime hardly exists..." from where did they get this information?

Pawlu Agius

Jan 11th 2011, 11:52

Maybe they like the concrete jungle that Malta has been reduced to, and on-going and on-going till the last field. Eg in Mosta, now that all fields are built up, they are turning their eyes on old buildings, turning them into the most ugly and aesthetically unpleasing apartments.

Guido Farrugia

Jan 11th 2011, 11:50

Was she interviewed 30 maybe 40 years back? "Crime hardly exists, she tells us.

Martin H Taylor

Jan 11th 2011, 11:47

Quote "Expat Barbara Bode said she had grown to love the lifestyle, food and quality of life when she lived in Malta"
Why doesn't she live here anymore if its so good.

Mrs.Elsie Granger

Jan 11th 2011, 11:46

Well then why can't the people that write these surveys and articles be honest and give us the ups and downs of living in Malta for ex-pats, i am a British citizens and whether its us or not i don't know but living in Gozo is not exactly heaven or paradise, for a start one needs to learn the language so they know they are not being conned, the two tear prices one for the locals and t'other for the foreigners, please be honest not all the locals are as friendly as some make out to be. Its very hard to get close to them, they say hello and help out ok no problems there but they don't seem to invite one to their home, they tend to keep themselves to themselves and the rest is history, in our case as i read somewhere in this paper, we seen it all done it all now its time to return back to blighty for one reason the exchange rate, in the UK, true £1 =£1 , oh by the way do not upset the bus drivers, and most important try and learn the lingo but i do agree it's safe.

Maria Colette Attard

Jan 11th 2011, 11:43

Can't we for once praise our little country, we do have disadvantages but let us appreciate what we have and stop pin pointing details!

Jacob Sammut

Jan 11th 2011, 11:40

"Crime hardly exists, the locals are hospitable and the health care is excellent. There aren’t any property taxes and the US expats who benefit most from living here are those who somehow retain some earnings from elsewhere that they then elect to get taxed in Malta, at 15%."

She said she had lived in Malta. How long ago?

G.Bugeja

Jan 11th 2011, 11:34

heh... stop the fireworks ux.. destroy the iconic Malta Bus.. and change our culture... thanks EU

g debono

Jan 11th 2011, 11:32

Zimbabwe lol ! dawn in nies jew qatt ma marru mkien jew manafx !

Mark Cassar

Jan 11th 2011, 11:30

'Crime hardly exists...... and the health care is excellent "
International Living Magazine definitely din not make enough research on the above mentioned topics.

K Spiteri

Jan 11th 2011, 11:30

"Crime hardly exists..." - I bet she does not have a TV set or a radio set at home!

S. Calleja

Jan 11th 2011, 11:29

Is this a joke? Last time I've been to Malta I couldn't help but notice how shabby the place looks, how untidy and overpopulated it is, the poor state of some of the major roads, the poor quality of the air I was breathing fuming from ancient cars, which contributed to my allergies which I had almost forgotten about and the poor quality of food I was served in restaurants for a similar price I pay abroad. It might have an excellent climate, but lifestyle is more than just climate. It is also tidiness, politeness (Maltese people in general lack courteous manners), enough income to support the bills and buy you things you want (rather than living from paycheck to paycheck), and many more aspects to life that Malta doesn't even dream of offering.

So if you're rich, fine, go to Malta. Buy a nice house in Mellieha or Gozo and retire peacefully. But I cannot see how Malta can offer the best lifestyle for the average Maltese citizen. It does not even appear anywhere in Mercer's Quality of Living list 2010.

S. Calleja - Expat

Michael Attard

Jan 11th 2011, 11:29

Crime hardly exists, ...... and the health care is excellent...
cut the crap

joe scerri

Jan 11th 2011, 11:28

the title says it all "Malta best place to live, for expatriates" not for the locals

K.Anastasi

Jan 11th 2011, 11:28

I think they might be talking about Gozo.

daniel farrugia

Jan 11th 2011, 11:28

malta's tax rate is 17%!!!! were are the anti-fireworks moaners ????

John Micallef

Jan 11th 2011, 11:27

Isma bil fors u emmen jekk trid!

By the way, zgur li qabel Jannar ghamluh dan is-survey, ghandi zewgt ihbib rtiraw Malta, dan l-ahhar qed jahsbuha jitilqux Isle of Man. 'As it's getting expensive like hell, & no value for money' qallu.

Ivan Vassallo

Jan 11th 2011, 11:22

So much for all the moaning about fireworks.

kathryn Schembri

Jan 11th 2011, 11:22

Heaven on earth.....get real please!

Camilleri

Jan 11th 2011, 11:21

I never knew we had ocean views in Malta...