Table of contents Sliema – The urban expat hub with its pros and cons St. Julians – Between party tourism and the expat community Gozo – The peaceful alternative with its own challenges Malta Area Comparison: Costs, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life My Recommendation: Which Place for Which Expat Type? Frequently Asked Questions After two years of real life in Malta, I can assure you one thing: choosing between Sliema, St. Julians or Gozo isnt just a matter of taste – its a brutally objective cost-benefit calculation. While Instagram-Malta may lure you with turquoise waters and golden cliffs, what really counts is day-to-day life – from the speed of your WiFi to whether theres a bus at 11 p.m. Ive tested all three locations in depth: six months in a Sliema flat with a sea view (and construction noise), four months in St. Julians among hip cafés and drunk Brits, plus countless stays in Gozo where I experienced both serenity and power outages. What did I learn? Each place has its reason to exist – but only for certain types of expats. Sliema Malta Expats: The urban centre with hidden pitfalls Sliema is Malta’s expat capital – and for good reason. Here you’ll find the highest concentration of international residents, English-speaking services, and the infrastructure remote workers need. But beware: Sliema is also Maltas most expensive place to live and certainly not the laid-back Mediterranean paradise many expect. Why Sliema is so popular with international expats The numbers speak for themselves: Sliema offers the best urban infrastructure on the island: WiFi speed: On average 85 Mbps (Speedtest.net, 2024) – perfect for video calls English-speaking doctors: Over 60% of practices in Sliema are fluent in 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 speaking service What truly convinced me: In Sliema, the expat life also works if you don’t speak perfect Maltese or Italian. Even with a plumber or electrician, English is fine – a huge advantage if you want to jump straight into working life. The hidden costs of life in Sliema But Sliema comes at a steep price. Here are the hard numbers: Type of apartment 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 bedrooms, sea view €1,800–2,500 Electricity/water: €150–220 Plus, hidden fees agents love to gloss over: parking spaces cost an extra €80–150 per month, many flats come without a washing machine (laundry: €25/week), and electricity bills can explode in summer – with 35°C in the shade, air conditioning isn’t a luxury, it’s a survival tool. Insider tip: Avoid apartments directly on the promenade. Sounds dreamy, but means tourist noise until 2 a.m. and 30% higher rent for the same floor plan. Who should choose Sliema (and who definitely shouldn’t) Sliema is perfect if you: Work remote and need reliable internet Don’t want to drive (everything is walkable/by bus) Value urban amenities (restaurants, cafés, shopping) Want to quickly meet other expats Have a budget of over €1,500/month for rent Stay away from Sliema if you: Are looking for peace and relaxation Love driving (parking is pure hell) Want to experience authentic Malta Have to get by on less than €1,200/month St. Julians Malta Quality of Life: Between party tourism and real community St. Julians is Malta’s Jekyll and Hyde neighborhood. While Paceville (the party district) turns into a nightmare at night, quieter areas like Spinola Bay or Balluta Bay offer a surprisingly relaxed expat community. I was skeptical at first, but St. Julians won me over – with some important caveats. The real St. Julians beyond the Paceville clichés Forget everything youve heard about St. Julians. Yes, Paceville is a tourist carousel, but that’s just 15% of the city. The rest offers one of the most relaxed expat communities I’ve experienced in Europe. The hidden gems of St. Julians: 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 Sliema’s. Not just digital nomads and fintech staff, but also families, artists, and those simply seeking the good life. Cost of living and the housing market in St. Julians St. Julian’s is about 15–20% cheaper than Sliema, but offers similar infrastructure. Prices vary greatly depending on location – a flat near Paceville is much cheaper than one in peaceful Spinola Bay. District 1-bedroom 2-bedroom Noise level (1–10) Paceville €600–900 €900–1,300 9 (party until 4 a.m.) Spinola Bay €750–1,100 €1,100–1,500 4 (very quiet) Balluta Bay €700–1,000 €1,000–1,400 3 (family area) St. George’s Bay €800–1,200 €1,200–1,600 5 (moderate) The big advantage: Many landlords in St. Julian’s are more flexible with rental contracts. While annual leases are usually the standard in Sliema, here you’ll also find 6-month options – perfect for extended test runs. Who St. Julians is right for St. Julians is the perfect compromise between urban infrastructure and relaxed atmosphere. Here’s my verdict after four months of practical experience: St. Julians works if you: Want a good work-life balance Like to spontaneously go out to a bar or restaurant in the evening Appreciate a diverse expat community Need flexibility with rental periods Love the sea but dont want to miss urban amenities Not ideal if you: Need absolute silence (even quiet areas sometimes have party spillover) Are looking for very traditional Maltese culture Have to watch every euro (cheaper than Sliema, but still not cheap) Gozo Malta life: The alternative with its own set of rules Gozo is Malta’s best kept secret – and many locals want it to stay that way. The little sister island offers everything the main island can’t: real tranquility, authentic culture and rents that won’t break your budget. But Gozo plays by its own rules, and you should know them before making a decision. Why Gozo isn’t just for retirees The cliche of Gozo as a retiree paradise is only half true. Yes, many pensioners from Germany and Scandinavia live here. But in the last two years, a surprisingly lively digital nomad scene has developed – people seeking real work-life balance and willing to make compromises for it. What makes Gozo unique: Authenticity: Locals still speak Maltese among themselves Nature: Hiking trails, untouched beaches, starry skies Community: Small but tight-knit expat community – everyone knows each other Cost: 40–50% cheaper than Sliema for similar quality of life Peace: No traffic noise, no building sites, no crowds of tourists The Gozo expat community is small, but all the more connected. WhatsApp groups organize everything from weekly grocery shopping to yoga on the beach. The practical hurdles of Gozo life Gozo is beautiful, but it’s definitely not for everyone. The logistical challenges are real and can be frustrating if you don’t anticipate them. The biggest Gozo hurdles: Ferry dependence: A ferry leaves every 45 minutes (25 min crossing). Miss the last one at 10:30 p.m., and youre stranded Internet fluctuations: WiFi is good (average 65 Mbps), but can become unreliable in storms Need for a car: Without your own vehicle, youre very limited. Buses run only every two hours Shopping limitations: No Lidl, no H&M. Big purchases are made on the main island Medical care: Only one emergency room, specialists usually in Valletta Reality check: In six months, I had three power outages (each 2–4 hours). That never happened to me in Sliema. Gozo’s infrastructure is decent, but not foolproof. 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 permanently on Gozo – all of them have adapted cleverly. Gozo digital nomad setup (practical experience): Backup internet: At least two providers (Melita + GO). Costs: €80/month Flexible car: Own car or long-term rental deals (€400–600/month) Malta days: Weekly shopping/appointments on the main island Time zone management: Gozo is perfect for US clients (6–9 hours difference) Co-working alternatives: Home office + Sliema trips for important meetings Factor Gozo Sliema St. Julians Internet reliability 85% (weather dependent) 98% 95% Average rent (2-bedroom) €600–900 €1,200–1,800 €1,000–1,500 Car needed Yes No No Expat community Small, close-knit Large, anonymous Medium, varied Malta Area Comparison 2024: Costs, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life After two years of Malta testing, I’ve systematically compared all key factors. The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities – but this table gives you the hard facts. Criterion Sliema St. Julians 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 people often forget: Sliema: Parking (€100/month), higher restaurant prices (+30%), tourist traps St. Julians: Occasional taxi fares when you miss buses, higher drink prices in tourist areas Gozo: Car costs (€400–600/month), ferry tickets (€4.65/trip), shopping trips to Malta My Recommendation: Which Malta Location Fits Which Expat Type? Based on everything I’ve experienced, there is no “best” place to live in Malta – only the best for your specific lifestyle. Here are my honest recommendations based on expat profiles I’ve met over two years. For the Anna Type (sun seeker/workation) Recommendation: Sliema or St. Julians (Spinola Bay) If you’re only staying 1–4 weeks, you need maximum efficiency. Sliema offers the best infrastructure for short stays – everything is walkable, the internet is reliable, and you won’t waste time dealing with Maltese quirks. St. Julian’s Spinola Bay is a quieter alternative with similar benefits. For the Luca Type (longer stay/testing phase) Recommendation: St. Julians (try different districts) Six months give you time to experiment. Start in St. Julian’s – you can try various neighborhoods without long-term commitment. The flexible rentals and diverse expat community help you figure out what works for you long-term. For the Dr. Mara Type (permanent settler) Recommendation: Sliema (investment) or Gozo (lifestyle) For a permanent move, lifestyle is decisive. Want urban amenities and stable property value? Sliema. Looking for authentic Mediterranean peace? Gozo. St. Julian’s is a compromise, but for permanent residents, it’s often not ideal – too much tourism. Special case: Digital nomads with EU base Recommendation: Gozo (winter) + Sliema (summer) Many experienced Malta expats combine both worlds: October to March in Gozo (cheaper, quieter, better weather), April to September in Sliema (better infrastructure, more networking). Costs about 20% more, but quality of life improves dramatically. Budget reality check Under €1,500/month total budget: Only comfortably possible in Gozo €1,500–2,000/month: St. Julian’s or Gozo with a car €2,000+/month: All options open, Sliema with comfort possible Frequently Asked Questions about Malta Living Locations for Expats Which Malta location is the cheapest for expats? Gozo is clearly the cheapest option with living costs on average 40–50% lower than Sliema. A 2-bedroom flat costs €600–900 instead of €1,200–1,800 in Sliema. But you’ll need a car (€400–600/month), which partly offsets the savings. Is the internet on Gozo reliable enough for remote work? Generally yes – an average 65 Mbps is sufficient for most remote jobs. I recommend two internet providers (Melita + GO) as backup since outages can happen in bad weather. Cost for backup setup: about €80/month. Do I need a car in Sliema or St. Julians? No, definitely not. Both towns are walkable and have excellent bus connections. Having a car is often more hassle than advantage – parking is scarce and expensive (€100–150/month). For trips, a rental at the weekend suffices. How do I find an apartment in Malta as an expat? The best sources are Facebook groups (Malta Rentals, Expats in Malta), real estate sites like frank-salt.com.mt, and local viewings. Avoid paying a deposit without seeing the place. Standard deposit: 2–3 months’ rent. Many landlords only accept cash. Which district is best for families with children? St. Julian’s Balluta Bay is ideal for families – quiet, safe, with playgrounds and international schools nearby. Gozo is also family-friendly, but limited school options can be an issue. Sliema is too urban and noisy for children. What’s nightlife like in different Malta locations? St. Julian’s (Paceville) has the wildest nightlife – but is also the noisiest. Sliema offers stylish bars and restaurants with no party tourism. Gozo is very quiet, with just a few local pubs. Choose based on whether you want or want to avoid nightlife. What are the biggest drawbacks of living in Malta? High cost of living (especially rent), the island’s small size (can feel restrictive), intense tourism in summer, Maltese bureaucracy, and occasional infrastructure hiccups (power cuts, water shortages). The pros usually outweigh the cons, but you should be prepared. When is the best time to move to Malta? September to November is ideal: pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, better apartment choice and lower prices. Avoid July–August (too hot, too touristy, higher rents) and January–February (cooler, rainy, but the cheapest period). Which documents do EU citizens need to live in Malta? Basically just a valid national ID or passport. For stays over three months: registration with Identity Malta, apply for an eID card, tax number, and local bank account. The process takes 2–4 weeks with the right paperwork. How expensive is living in Malta compared to Germany? Rents are 20–40% higher than in German big cities in popular expat areas. Groceries cost about the same, restaurants are 10–20% cheaper. Public transport is much cheaper (€1.50/ride), but electricity is more expensive. Overall, budget 10–30% more than in Germany.
