Family of 5 looking to move from the UK

Hello Matt,
While I can't help with the bulk of your questions, I can answer a few based on my observations:

Crime:  I feel Malta is safer than a lot of places especially for raising kids.  There are robberies and petty crimes, but 'random acts of violence' seem rare.  There does seem to be alot of domestic violence though.  Drugs are a problem too, but aren't they everywhere these days? 

Rent:  Don't know why, but yes rents are low compared to the price to buy property.  I would just be careful and make sure you get along with your landlord.  From reading other posts on these forums, some people have had trouble with their landlords.  But I know other people who get along fine with theirs. 

Schools:  Government schools teach in a mix of English and Maltese, but from what I've seen it is more Maltese.  However in my town alot of foregin kids to go to the local gov't school so they are used to non-Maltese speaking children.  The private schools teach predominantly in English, only speaking Maltese during the actual 'Maltese' lessons.  Foreigners can 'opt out' of their children learning Maltese altogether if they wish at the private schools.  I don't know anything about the Catholic schools except they are on a lottery system to get in.  I imagine their teaching is more of a mix like the gov't schools.  I would say all kids speak some degree of English, mostly depending on what is spoken at home and what kind of school they are in. I've come across many Maltese families who speak mainly English at home which surprised me when I moved here.

Don't know much about the British companies, jobs situation, or residency issues (I am non-EU, so a whole different set of rules to deal with!). 

Good luck!
Kim

Govt. schools are supposed to teach in English if there is even one foreign student in the class (expect Maltese and maybe Religion). Some good friends of ours moved here from the US and chose to enroll their kids (13 and 5) in the local Mosta Govt. schools and the only problem they had was that for the 5 yo in Kindergarten they taught in Maltese-only from September until the Christmas break, but since they returned in January they have taught in English. They were told this was the plan at the outset so it wasn't a surprise, but it was something the 5 yo had to deal with for those 3 months.

The Independent schools will cost roughly €900 per term per child in the Junior section (more in the Senior). Add in uniforms. Add in text books. Add in "refundable" (maybe) contribution you pay at the start. Add in registration fee. Add in School Transportation costs - optional.

Not sure I can help you on the crime questions - what kind of crime are you thinking of committing ;-)

There are plenty of threads on this forum about most of these items already - please search and I think you'll get a lot of information.

Regards
Tim

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forum.

I'll answer a few of your questions. Many have already been answered in previous posts if you go back up to 12 months. There are quite a few really good posts about schooling.

A 3 bed townhouse for under 300 € is untypical anywhere on the island if you are talking about 3 bedrooms and not beds. The exact price will depend on location and quality. Rental properties might appear cheap but you have to consider the low Maltese salaries.If you get a well-payed job you will be fine.

You actually have 6 months to find a job after arriving on the island . The problem might not be finding a job but finding a job that pays enough to live on. Companies here pay ' maltese' salaries unless you are highly qualified in banking , IT , management and so on.

Typical jobs for foreigners in Malta ( i-gaming for example) also require good language skills in as many languages as possible ( ie more than just English)

You can qualify for residency through a work permit or being financially self-sufficient and a few other reasons. After 5 years of residency you can apply for permanent residency.

Regards
Ricky

Hi matt we are in pretty. Much the same position at the moment except that we are family of four hoping to move from Ireland.  This site conains lots of interesting information. According to websites crime rate in Malta is much lower than in most of Europe which sounds pretty good but I assume there is crime everywhere so care and caution is advised either way.

Schools we have been looking at some if the private schools on their own websites San andrea and San anton seem to be 2 very popular ones.

Rents do appear cheap but I suppose like ourselves until u get over ther yo view it's hard to judge from website only.

Hope u get lots of info from this site. I have found it great. Best of luck to you all.

Ann-Marie

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies. 6 months is fantastic , thats more than enough time for me to find work and get sorted. Im thinking of coming to Mellehia Bay as the distance to Valetta which i presume is the best place for work is only about 15-20 miles isnt it? I wouldnt mind that commute daily.

Matt

Hi Matt,

There are very few jobs in Valetta unless you intend to work for the government or as a lawyer.

What kind of job are you looking for?

A 20 mile commute in Malta is not the same as a 20 mile commute in the UK !From Mellieha to Valetta takes about 45 minutes under ideal circumstances and not in the morning/evening commute .

Regards
Ricky

Hi,

I have experience in the following.

Casino as a senior inspector
Driving
Computers (no formal qualifications though)
Photography (has been my hobby for years)

Id do anything really for a better life

Matt

Hi Matt,

I would go for the Casino business. There are several in Malta.

Forget about the driving in Malta -)))although the new bus company is looking to employ many bus drivers and even train them.On the other hand Airmalta is just laying of 600 workers.They will be on the job market soon too .

I'm not sure about the 'better' life in Malta. It is different than in the UK. Many foreigners struggle with the job and income situation and you also have to adapt to life in Malta. The weather is definitly better though!

I would strongly recommend visiting Malta for several weeks to see what it is like and researching jobs and locations before making a decision.

Regards
Ricky

immortal wrote:

5: The properties seem cheap to rent (seen a few 3 bed townhouse at under 300 euro per month). Is there a reason for that?

There are many vacant rental properties and so much competition among landlords.  I'm not sure of all the reasons for that, but think that an over-exuberant boom in building/converting apartments may have contributed.

ricky wrote:

Hi Matt,

I would go for the Casino business. There are several in Malta.

Forget about the driving in Malta -)))although the new bus company is looking to employ many bus drivers and even train them.On the other hand Airmalta is just laying of 600 workers.They will be on the job market soon too .

I'm not sure about the 'better' life in Malta. It is different than in the UK. Many foreigners struggle with the job and income situation and you also have to adapt to life in Malta. The weather is definitly better though!

I would strongly recommend visiting Malta for several weeks to see what it is like and researching jobs and locations before making a decision.

Regards
Ricky

I actually have a full PSV licence and have driven buses in the past so perhaps that could be a good thing to go for? Casino would be mostly nights which i wouldnt prefer but would do if needed.

Matt

Hi Matt,

Then check out the new bus service provider Arriva . They are taking over the Maltese bus system in July and are recruiting now.I don't know anything about potential salaries though.

Good luck
Ricky

Arriva Malta's jobs page is at arriva.com.mt/work-with-us?l=1

yahoooooo I just used that and applied    rock on!

Thank you

Oh No!!!! Chad's going to driving Buses! Run and hide everyone.

JohnS wrote:

immortal wrote:

5: The properties seem cheap to rent (seen a few 3 bed townhouse at under 300 euro per month). Is there a reason for that?

There are many vacant rental properties and so much competition among landlords.  I'm not sure of all the reasons for that, but think that an over-exuberant boom in building/converting apartments may have contributed.

We rent a modern, furnished, 3 bedroom apartment in Naxxar for €700 a month. You certainly can get cheaper...or more expensive for that matter...but personally I'd be suspscious of anything in the "under 300 euro per month" range...but like so many things it's comes down to personal preferences at the end of the day. We were looking to move a couple of months ago to try and save a few €s but didn't seen anything as nice as we have for much less than we pay now, so decided it wasn't worth moving to take on the unknowns of a new landlord, barking dogs etc.

Tim

I pay 300 and have a great place... ok its not a townhouse... It's a basement...  but a great 2 bedroom place with no sunlight    we are signing another 6 month lease then moving above ground.

me3512 wrote:

I pay 300 and have a great place... ok its not a townhouse... It's a basement...  but a great 2 bedroom place with no sunlight    we are signing another 6 month lease then moving above ground.

How long have you been in malta? Is it hard to find work? Do you find the weather too hot compared to the UK or do you just get used to it?

Matt

1. I love the weather and have never been to the UK.... so sorry I'm no help there...  I am used to weather significantly hotter than malta though from what I understand it is much hotter than the UK...  up to 35ish degrees c

2. I am a higher level IT Guy and still looking for work, though I have turned down 2 unreasonable offers, though I think I may have found something today....   My wife found a job in 2 months, and if I recall correctly average is 3 months....

3. Been here about 4 months...

Chad

Hi Chad,

Thanks for the quick reply.

You dont want to come to the UK lol , its not very warm. It is called Great Britain but i think it should just be renamed Britain now lol

What are the main areas of work on the island?

Matt

depending on what you do the areas are all over... obviously tourism is everywhere, IT work seems to be in pretty random locations, industrial work seems to be in birkikarra, automotive work in qormi, politics and junk sales in Valetta.... 

Also hammersfan ..... not driving buses... just making sure they stay on the road from an IT side ( that way I can always have my cisk with me .      BE PREPARED!!!!!!!!