Table of Contents Sliema – The Urban Expat Hub with Rough Edges St. Julian’s – Between Party Tourism and Expat Community Gozo – The Quiet Alternative with Its Own Challenges Malta Residential Area Comparison: Costs, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life My Recommendation: Which Place Suits Which Expat Type? Frequently Asked Questions After two years of real Maltese life, I can tell you this for sure: choosing between Sliema, St. Julian’s, or Gozo isn’t about taste—it’s a hard-nosed cost-benefit calculation. Instagram-Malta lures you in with turquoise water and golden cliffs, but what really matters is daily life—from WiFi speed to catching the 11 PM bus. I’ve intensively tried out all three areas: six months in a Sliema apartment with a sea view (and construction noise), four months in St. Julian’s between trendy cafés and boisterous Brits, plus countless stints on Gozo, where I experienced both the tranquility and the power outages. What did I learn? Each place has its appeal—but only for certain expat types. Sliema Malta Expats: The Urban Center with Hidden Pitfalls Sliema is Malta’s expat capital—and for good reason. Here you’ll find the highest density of international residents, English-speaking services, and the infrastructure remote workers need. But beware: Sliema is also Malta’s most expensive place to live and definitely not the chilled-out Mediterranean oasis many expect. Why Sliema Is so Popular with International Expats The numbers speak for themselves: Sliema offers the island’s best urban infrastructure: WiFi speed: Average of 85 Mbps (Speedtest.net, 2024) – ideal for video calls English-speaking doctors: Over 60% of practices in Sliema speak fluent English Supermarket variety: From Lidl to imported organic products – all within walking distance Public transport: Buses to Valletta every 10–15 minutes Banking: All major banks with English-language service What impressed me most: in Sliema, expat life works even without perfect Maltese or Italian. Even plumbers and electricians get by in English—a huge advantage if you want to jump into work life quickly. The Hidden Costs of Life in Sliema But Sliema comes at a price—a steep one. Here are the blunt numbers: Apartment Type Average Rent/Month Additional Costs 1-bedroom apartment €850–1,200 Electricity/Water: €80–120 2-bedroom apartment €1,200–1,800 Electricity/Water: €120–180 3-bedroom with sea view €1,800–2,500 Electricity/Water: €150–220 Then there are hidden costs agents rarely mention: parking is an extra €80–150 per month, many flats come without a washing machine (laundrette: €25/week), and electricity bills can skyrocket in summer—at 35°C in the shade, air conditioning isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. Insider tip: Avoid apartments directly on the promenade. They sound dreamy, but they mean tourist noise until 2 AM and 30% higher rent for the same floorplan. Who Should Choose Sliema (and Who Definitely Shouldn’t) Sliema is perfect if you: Work remotely and need reliable internet Don’t want to drive (everything is walkable or accessible by bus) Value urban perks (restaurants, cafés, shopping) Want to meet other expats quickly Have a housing budget of €1,500+/month Steer clear of Sliema if you: Seek peace and relaxation Love having a car (parking is a nightmare) Want to experience authentic Malta Need to keep rent under €1,200/month St. Julian’s Malta Quality of Life: Between Party Tourism and True Community St. Julian’s is Malta’s Jekyll-and-Hyde neighbourhood. Paceville (the party district) is a nightmare at night, but quieter corners like Spinola Bay or Balluta Bay offer a surprisingly laid-back expat community. I was sceptical at first, but St. Julian’s won me over—with a few important caveats. The Real St. Julian’s Beyond the Paceville Stereotype Forget everything you’ve heard about St. Julian’s. Yes, Paceville is a tourist merry-go-round, but it makes up only 15% of the town. The rest has one of the most relaxed expat communities I’ve found anywhere in Europe. The Hidden Gems of St. Julian’s: Spinola Bay: Traditional fishing boats, authentic restaurants, far fewer tourists Balluta Bay: Quiet residential streets, local markets, perfect for families Ta’ Giorni: Malta’s hipster district with craft beer bars and co-working spaces St. George’s Bay: Modern apartments with sea views—without the party noise What I especially like: the expat community in St. Julian’s is more diverse than in Sliema. It’s not just digital nomads and fintech employees, but families, artists, and people just looking to enjoy life. Cost of Living and Rental Market in St. Julian’s St. Julian’s is about 15–20% cheaper than Sliema, but has similar infrastructure. Prices vary widely by location—an apartment near Paceville costs far less than one at calm Spinola Bay. Neighbourhood 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom Noise Level (1–10) Paceville €600–900 €900–1,300 9 (party until 4 AM) Spinola Bay €750–1,100 €1,100–1,500 4 (very quiet) Balluta Bay €700–1,000 €1,000–1,400 3 (family neighbourhood) St. George’s Bay €800–1,200 €1,200–1,600 5 (moderate) The big plus: many landlords in St. Julian’s are more flexible on contracts. While year-long leases are standard in Sliema, here you’ll find 6-month options—perfect for a longer trial period. Who St. Julian’s Is Right For St. Julian’s is the perfect compromise between urban infrastructure and a relaxed feel. Here’s my verdict after four months of real-world testing: St. Julian’s is ideal if you: Are looking for a balanced work-life routine Like the option to pop out in the evening for a drink or meal Appreciate a diverse expat community Need flexibility on rental terms Love the sea but don’t want to miss out on city perks Not ideal if you: Need total peace and quiet (even the quiet areas get party spillover sometimes) Are searching for very traditional Maltese culture Are on a tight budget (cheaper than Sliema, but still not cheap) Gozo Malta: Quiet Living, Different Rules Gozo is Malta’s best-kept secret—and locals want to keep it that way. The little sister island has everything the main island doesn’t: real tranquility, authentic culture, and rents that won’t wreck your budget. But Gozo plays by its own rules, and you should know them before making your decision. Why Gozo Isn’t Just for Retirees The cliché of Gozo as a retiree’s paradise is only half the story. Yes, plenty of pensioners live here, mostly from Germany and Scandinavia. But in the last two years, an unexpected digital nomad scene has emerged—people seeking a true work-life balance, and willing to make some compromises to get it. What makes Gozo unique: Authenticity: Locals still speak Maltese to each other here Nature: Hiking trails, untouched beaches, starry skies Community: Small but close-knit expat crowd—everyone knows each other Cost: 40–50% cheaper than Sliema, with similar quality of life Peace: No traffic noise, no construction, no tourist crowds The Gozo expat community is small but tight. WhatsApp groups coordinate everything from grocery runs to yoga on the beach. The Practical Hurdles of Gozo Life Gozo is stunning, but not everyone will love it. The logistical challenges are real and can be frustrating if you’re not prepared. The biggest Gozo hurdles: Ferry dependency: Ferry leaves every 45 minutes (25-minute crossing). Miss the last one at 10:30 PM and you’re stranded Internet fluctuations: WiFi is decent (average 65 Mbps), but can become unstable during storms Car required: Without your own vehicle, you’re very limited. Public buses only run every two hours Shopping limitations: No Lidl, no H&M. Big shopping trips have to be done on Malta’s main island Healthcare: Only one emergency room, specialists mostly in Valletta Reality check: I had power outages three times in six months (each lasting 2–4 hours). That never happened to me in Sliema. Gozo’s infrastructure is good, but far from bulletproof. Digital Nomads on Gozo: Does It Really Work? The honest answer: yes, but only under certain conditions. I know about 30 digital nomads who live on Gozo full-time—they’ve all adapted in clever ways. Gozo Digital Nomad Setup (based on experience): Backup internet: At least two providers (Melita + GO). Cost: €80/month Flexible car: Own car or long-term rental (€400–600/month) Malta days: Shopping and appointments once a week on the main island Time zone management: Gozo is perfect if you have US clients (6–9 hours behind) Co-working alternatives: Mostly home office + occasional trips to Sliema for key meetings Factor Gozo Sliema St. Julian’s Internet reliability 85% (weather dependent) 98% 95% Avg. rent (2-bedroom) €600–900 €1,200–1,800 €1,000–1,500 Car necessary Yes No No Expat community Small, close-knit Large, anonymous Medium, diverse Malta Living Area Comparison 2024: Costs, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life After two years of Malta testing, I’ve systematically compared all the key factors. What matters most will depend on your priorities—but this table gives you the raw numbers. Criterion Sliema St. Julian’s Gozo Average total cost/month €1,800–2,500 €1,400–2,000 €1,000–1,400 WiFi speed 85 Mbps 80 Mbps 65 Mbps English-speaking services 90% 85% 70% Public transport Excellent Very good Limited Parking availability Poor Average Excellent Noise level (1–10) 7 5–6 2 Expat community size Very large Large Small Authenticity/Culture Low Medium High Hidden costs that are often forgotten: Sliema: Parking (€100/month), higher restaurant prices (+30%), tourist traps St. Julian’s: Occasional taxi rides when you miss the bus, higher drink prices in touristy areas Gozo: Car costs (€400–600/month), ferry tickets (€4.65/trip), trips to Malta’s main island for big shopping My Recommendation: Which Part of Malta Best Fits Which Expat Type? From everything I’ve experienced, there’s no “best” place to live in Malta—only the best fit for your lifestyle. Here are my honest recommendations based on expat profiles I’ve gotten to know over the past two years. For the “Anna Type” (Sun-Seekers/Workation Visitors) Recommendation: Sliema or St. Julian’s (Spinola Bay) If you’re staying for 1–4 weeks, you need maximum efficiency. Sliema offers the best infrastructure for short stays—everything is walkable, internet is reliably fast, and you won’t waste time on local quirks. St. Julian’s Spinola Bay is the quieter alternative with similar benefits. For the “Luca Type” (Medium-Term Testers) Recommendation: St. Julian’s (try different neighbourhoods) Six months gives you time to experiment. Start in St. Julian’s—you can try different quarters without a long-term commitment. The flexible rental structures and broad expat community help you figure out what works for the long run. For the “Dr. Mara Type” (Long-Term Settlers) Recommendation: Sliema (investment) or Gozo (lifestyle) If you’re settling permanently, your lifestyle decides everything. Want urban comforts and property value stability? Go Sliema. Prefer Mediterranean serenity and authenticity? Gozo is for you. St. Julian’s is a good compromise, but often too touristy for long-term expats. Special Case: Digital Nomads with an EU Base Recommendation: Gozo (winter) + Sliema (summer) Many experienced Malta expats combine the best of both: October–March on Gozo (cheaper, quieter, better weather), April–September in Sliema (better infrastructure, more networking). Costs about 20% more, but quality of life increases enormously. Budget Reality Check Under €1,500/month budget: Only Gozo allows you a truly comfortable life €1,500–2,000/month: St. Julian’s or Gozo with a car €2,000+/month: Everything possible, Sliema with comfort Frequently Asked Questions about Malta Neighbourhoods for Expats Which area in Malta is cheapest for expats? Gozo is clearly the cheapest, with roughly 40–50% lower living expenses than Sliema. A two-bedroom apartment is €600–900 compared to €1,200–1,800 in Sliema. However, you will need a car (€400–600/month), which cuts into your savings. Is Gozo’s internet reliable enough for remote work? Generally, yes—an average of 65 Mbps is enough for most remote jobs. But I recommend having two providers (Melita + GO) as backup, because there can be outages during bad weather. Cost for a backup setup: about €80/month. Do I need a car in Sliema or St. Julian’s? No, definitely not. Both towns are highly walkable and have excellent bus connections. In fact, a car is more of a hindrance—parking is scarce and expensive (€100–150/month). For road trips, just rent a car for the weekend. How do expats find apartments in Malta? The best sources are Facebook groups (“Malta Rentals”, “Expats in Malta”), property sites like frank-salt.com.mt, and in-person viewings. Avoid paying a deposit without seeing the place first. Standard deposit: 2–3 months’ rent. Many landlords only accept cash. Which neighbourhood is best for families with kids? St. Julian’s Balluta Bay is ideal for families—quiet, safe, with local playgrounds and international schools nearby. Gozo is also family-friendly, but the limited choice of schools can be an issue. Sliema is generally too urban and noisy for children. What’s nightlife like in Malta’s different areas? St. Julian’s (Paceville) is nightlife-central—but also noisy. Sliema offers stylish bars and restaurants without party crowds. Gozo is extremely quiet, with just a handful of local bars. Choose based on whether you want nightlife or peace and quiet. What are the biggest downsides to life in Malta? High living costs (especially rent), the island’s small size (can feel a bit claustrophobic), heavy tourism in summer, Maltese bureaucracy, and the occasional infrastructure hiccup (power cuts, water shortages). The positives usually outweigh the negatives, but it helps to be prepared. When’s the best time to move to Malta? September through November is ideal: pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, better choice of rentals and lower prices. Avoid July–August (too hot, too touristy, higher rents) and January–February (cool, rainy, but cheapest period). What paperwork do EU citizens need to live in Malta? All you need is a valid ID card or passport. For longer stays (>3 months): registration with Identity Malta, apply for an eID card, tax number, and a local bank account. With the right documents, the process takes 2–4 weeks. How does the cost of living in Malta compare to Germany? Rents are 20–40% higher in popular expat hotspots than in German cities. Groceries cost about the same, restaurants are 10–20% cheaper. Public transport is much more affordable (€1.50/ride), but electricity is more expensive. Expect a total budget that’s 10–30% higher than Germany.
