When my husband and I agreed that we wanted to add a third footprint into our expat lives (we split our time between Tamarindo, Costa Rica and Austin, USA), Europe made the most sense. Although COVID and cancer delayed our scouting plans, we had already made our pros and cons list, and Malta took first place.
My husband reminded me that we don't like to be cold. No puffy coats and snow blowers in our wheelhouse, please. Malta is a tiny (122 sq miles) archipelago located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa. Summers are hot, winters are mild and spring/autumn are delightful. He also pointed out that he did not want to attempt to learn a third language when he already struggled with his first and second. Malta was a British protectorate for nearly 150 years. You find most of the systems to be imperial style—driving on the left, three-pronged square plugs (not the Euro two-pin version), and English as one of the official languages. No struggles with translations and miscommunication.
Not to mention incredible history, ancient cultures, unique cuisine and a Maltese language based in Arabic—influenced by Italian and English. Have you ever sampled a Maltese wine? Most likely not. In my opinion they rival varieties from Malta's northern neighbors. But the wineries are so tiny, Malta keeps it all for itself and exports minimally.
Diversity? An astounding 30% of the population are expats/immigrants. With so many people hailing from somewhere else, we found it easy to make new friends. And even when we don't speak their language, the default language is typically English.
We are members of Internations, a worldwide organization helping expats connect and seek advice. Malta has a couple of exceptionally active chapters. They offer weekly (sometimes daily) opportunities to meet new people—from happy hours, to hikes, to art openings, to historical walks, to boating outings and cooking classes. We met several of our first friends (and our realtor) through Internations events.
Malta is the first EU country to legalize recreational marijuana (2021). You can now legally home-cultivate, possess small amounts (7g/0.24oz) and join "cannabis social clubs." Although Malta is a devout catholic country, same-sex marriage was legalized in 2017. Malta has hosted several pride events. Also, foreigners with legal residency can own a gun (provided they meet licensing requirements, undergo background checks, and prove genuine reasons for ownership, with strict rules against carrying guns outside home/range). These sorts of freedoms are important for us, even if we don't partake.
Like everyplace on earth, we have seen prices increase exponentially—from real estate to groceries and everything in-between. However, in the great post-COVID money grab, prices in our other two home bases have risen unreasonably. Thus, making Malta our most affordable option (of the three) to live on a budget.
Malta has no border disputes being an Island nation. Yet, enjoys all the positives that come with being an EU member state (such as high-quality healthcare standards, the stable Euro currency, tariff-free trade zone, etc.). It is well positioned geographically at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. That is a big plus, since we are avid travelers. A two-and-a-half-hour flight east and you are strolling past mosques in Istanbul, Turkey. Less than a two-hour ferry north and you are sipping Aperol spritzes in Sicily. A 50-minute flight southwest and you find yourself wandering the Roman ruins of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia. With the likes of European discount airlines EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air, it is easy to escape for a weekend getaway without breaking the bank.
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire
Thank you to leave a comment on my site