A few years ago I decided to leave my home country and try my luck abroad. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision at all, rather it was the result of many years during which my disillusion and frustration with Malta had been growing and growing until I felt I had to take action or I would fall into a very negative perpetual state of mind.
Of course, I have many friends and dear family back in Malta, but honestly, I don’t miss living there. I make it a point to visit at least once a year and I usually have a good time catching up with friends and spending time with my family, but I don’t feel like I would like to go back and live there.
As you can imagine, several friends and family members ask me why this is so. I’ve finally found some time to really list the reasons for my moving away from Malta and why I don’t feel as comfortable living there as I do in other places.
While this post will be very honest, I’m afraid that some readers will find it too negative or downright offensive. Please keep in mind that is an honest outpouring of my thoughts and feelings and is no way meant to attack anyone or show any lack of appreciation. I did grow up in Malta and received many good things, I was blessed with a great family and a good education and also had lots of great experiences. However, as I grew older I started to feel that this was not the place where I wanted to spend the rest of my life in, and this is an attempt to describe why.
Malta is described in propaganda as being an idyllic “paradise on earth” island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Surely life is incredibly good over there! Not to mention it’s a tax haven!
First of all, Malta is no tax haven if you’re Maltese. There are a few schemes designed to attract business and executives from abroad. These schemes have been widely used and abused, and that’s where the reputation for being a tax haven is coming from. The island is also famous for housing a great number of online gambling companies. These companies came to Malta due to the fiscal and regulatory incentives and they are by and large doing extremely well.
Online gambling is not something that interests me and in general, I don’t like the vibe that they have about them. I’m sure many Maltese will disagree with me on this, but this is my view on the topic. The gambling companies pay very well and usually provide attractive offices and perks to their employees. Due to them, property prices in the Sliema and St Julian’s area have risen to incredible levels (many would agree that it’s bubble stage already). A whole financial services industry has grown to support these companies.
The downside? Apart from the moral doubts of working at these companies or even incentivizing them to move to Malta, I see a lot of dependence on them. If another country were to offer better regulations and tax incentives, it is likely that many of these companies would leave, as they don’t have any significant ties with Malta. They are merely using the country. In the eventuality of them leaving, we will see serious repercussions on property prices and the financial services industry. Whether this situation ever plays out is anyone’s guess, but it’s definitely something that has always bothered me.
Now I don’t mean to turn this into an attack on gambling companies. They do well to seek out the best environment for them to operate so I don’t blame them for anything. I certainly didn’t leave Malta because of this, so let’s explore some other more important reasons for me leaving.
If I were to describe Malta in one word, it would be frustrating. There is no doubt that islands are (were?) blessed with natural beauty, great weather and beautiful sea. I think the small size of the islands is, however, a big problem for people like me. It is clear that you can find idiots in every country, but in bigger countries, you can mostly keep away from them. You can frequent different places, live in different areas, and generally live amongst people that you like. Not so in Malta, every time you step outside of your door you are bound to experience some kind of ignorance, be it illegal construction, irresponsible driving, and unprofessional behavior. There is no deeply ingrained culture of doing things the right way. Rather it’s more of a “whatever, if it barely works then it’s good enough”.
I acknowledge that I have trouble really describing what it is that frustrates me and pains me so much about living in Malta. I also know that most Maltese genuinely love living in Malta, and whenever I have tried to speak out against the way things are done, the usual reaction is to try and shut me up and tell me that things aren’t so bad.
I inevitably realized that there was no way I’m going to change the culture of a country. One of the best pieces of advice was given to me by a Bulgarian builder in Malta. In one of my frustrated moments the builder, who was fixing some stuff in our office, overheard me complain about things in Malta. He calmly came up to me and told me “my friend, if you don’t like the menu, change the restaurant”. It was a seemingly joking and simple comment, but it rang so true for me that that was the moment that I decided to leave for good, and sure enough two months later I left.
Living in Malta, at least as a local, involves sustaining yourself (whether you want it or not) on a constant stream of local news. You can’t escape the latest political mess, and the smallest incidence can make front page news. It is really an environment that discourages you to think big and expand your mental horizons. For many years I found it very stifling and I harbored a lot of internal anxiety, frustration, and anger due to this situation over which I had little control.
Since moving abroad, all these effects instantly disappeared and I finally felt free to be what I really want to be and rapidly increase my knowledge in the areas that interest me. They say that a person is the sum of the other people that are closest to him. In Malta, I always struggled to surround myself with people who would constantly inspire me and drive me to become a better person. Due to the small island mentality, there seems to be a lot of jealousy and people try to keep you in line. You’re best just being an average Joe behaving like everyone else if you want to live a good life there. Do something significantly different than the rest and you’re going to have a very difficult time indeed.
But come on Jean, you might say, what about the lovely “best in the world” weather that Malta is blessed with? Well yes, Malta does indeed have very hot summers and mild wet winters. The problem is that the vast majority of houses have zero insulation and in the winter months you can feel really uncomfortable due to the insane levels of humidity and cold inside. Although I always felt bad during the winters, reality really struck during my first experience of winter in the UK, when I realized that I was much happier in winter there than I had ever been in Malta. Like many other countries, buildings there are well insulated and have good heating, so you can stay in your flip flops and shorts inside in winter. In Malta, I would be wearing jackets, long johns and a beanie and I’d still be uncomfortably cold.
One other big pain point: the roads. Malta’s road surfaces are among the worst in Europe and are more befitting of a third world country than a country that presents itself as being a hub of innovation and being on par with its European counterparts. Last year I tried taking the Brompton to Malta to cycle around during our holiday but ended up walking back home after 200 meters. There are way too many potholes, bumps, and uneven road surfaces to be able to ride a bike like that comfortably without damaging it. Not to mention the challenge of staying alive when riding a bike in Malta. Some of my friends have been severely injured due to irresponsible driving or bad road surfaces, and one of them even died by the roadside after being run over by a youngster driving without a license. I won’t even get started on the Maltese judiciary, but I’ll just mention that after eight years this man has not been sentenced yet. See here and here for more great examples of Maltese incompetency where justice is concerned.
A related aspect is the lack of good pavements. Unfortunately, Malta is not a walkable place at all. We grow up getting accustomed to getting out of our houses and into the car to get whisked to wherever we need to be. This leads to people exercising less and the resulting obesity issues. Malta has the highest child obesity rate in Europe, and I believe the walkability issue is a significant contributor to the problem. Owning a car is almost a necessity and gives you the independence to go wherever you want. Public transport leaves a lot to be desired, and it only comes in the form of buses. There are no car or scooter sharing initiatives at all. Of course, we can all see with our own eyes that traffic has increased exponentially during the past twenty years, to the point that you are now guaranteed to get stuck in a traffic jam every time you go for a drive, at any time except during the night. Given that in general people tend to keep their cars far longer than the European average, we have a lot of pollution from vehicles and that affects everyone’s health. Back to the lack of paving, in other countries, I got used to walking a lot, but in Malta it’s impossible to run any errands on foot except if you’re going around the corner from your house. Pavements seem to be an afterthought and come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tiled, some have rough surfaces, some are super narrow etc. What this also means is that we have a big problem with accessibility. One of the main highlights of my trips to Malta is spending time with my 93-year-old grandma, and I would love to be able to take her out for a walk while we chat about our lives. Alas, it’s pretty much impossible given the state of the pavements and the very close proximity of cars and trucks belching out exhaust.
Lastly, let’s come back to the idyllic island thing one more time. During the past thirty years, there has been way too much indiscriminate development. Many ugly buildings were built and a good part of them were built in areas which were meant to remain in their natural state. The result is an over exploited island where very few green areas remain. As a kid, I used to go out and play soccer with my friends in the fields nearby. This was commonplace wherever you lived in Malta. Nowadays there is no chance that kids would be able to do that.
A Times of Malta showing illustrating over development in Sliema and St. Julian’s.
Everything’s been built up, and as I said, it’s been one huge land rush with developers making big money while they exploited every inch of the island. Of course, this constant development has also brought with it a lot of air and noise pollution, apart from visual eyesores. We are now seeing an increasingly high rate of respiratory diseases, and frequent complaints about noise due to construction. Gozo, the other island, is currently at a very nice balance between nature and man-made buildings, but I’m afraid that the developers will turn their greedy eyes there next.
Over exploitation (umbrella rentals) of one Malta’s iconic spots – Blue Lagoon
How about the famous Smart City? Rather than attracting all the big IT companies and making Malta another silicon valley, as was originally promised, it’s been sitting there mostly empty. Moreover, it seems likely that it will soon be turned into another luxury apartment complex. This land had been given to the Smart City developers on condition that it will be used for ICT purposes, but it seems that the new fashion is to completely disregard such contracts. Real estate agents are already selling apartments on plan even though it is still technically an IT office center and there are absolutely no building plans in place to turn it into an apartment complex. Something similar happened just last year with the former ITS complex in Pembroke. Such free-for-all practices are very common when it comes to building and development.
It’s not only big developers who are the problem though. Many individuals have also constructed illegally while the authorities have turned a blind eye. There is a whole village of illegal properties in Armier bay, and no political party has done anything to remove them over many years.
Armier bay illegal construction.
To make matters worse, much of the remaining countryside is taken up by hunters who occupy whole swaths of land. Yes, in Malta bird hunting is a very popular past time, and incredibly just a few years ago a referendum to ban this barbaric practice in spring failed to get a majority backing. Any walk in the countryside is sure to be accompanied by the sounds of guns as the hunters try their best to blast every bird out of the sky.
A protected bird illegally shot down in Malta.
No wonder you will hardly see any birds in Malta. Illegal hunting is a widespread and serious problem, with poachers specifically targeting raptors (birds of prey) and Herons as well as rare migratory birds such as the Greater Flamingo, Black Stork and Eurasian Spoonbill, among others. Moreover, as I mentioned, hunters occupy a lot of public lands and block off access to hikers, mountain bikers and the regular folk who are out to enjoy a bit of countryside.
Sometimes people will challenge me by posing the question: “If Malta is so bad, why do so many foreigners fall in love with Malta and want to live here?”. I think that’s a very interesting question that merits delving into.
First of all, Malta is a very very unique place, for many reasons. It has a rich and varied history having been under the rule of several nations and cultures. It’s size and geography is also unique, as is the fact that Maltese people have their own language. I can definitely see how these exotic qualities can be such a strong attraction for foreigners.
They would have never have experienced such an environment before, especially if they come from a big city/country where things are much more impersonal. Landing in Malta you tend to feel very welcome as people are very friendly and ready to help out, it feels like everybody treats you like family. This leads to foreigners saying hey, this is an awesome place to live in. Back home I’m just a number and nobody cares about anyone, but here everybody is so involved in each other’s lives, this is something special! I totally see why a foreigner would feel like this. I myself sometimes wish I were a foreigner so I could feel that way. If you don’t speak Maltese there is a better chance of insulating yourself from the daily gossip and mannerisms that end up getting on one’s nerves.
Here’s the thing though. While I acknowledge that some foreigners do move to Malta, love it and enjoy living there for many years, many others try the experience and leave after 3-4 years because they just can’t take the way things are done there. It’s one thing living a life of work-beach-party (Malta is the best place for that) and quite another when you decide to settle down, start dealing with the authorities, buy a house and try to get contractors to deliver quality work, etc etc. People who are used to not having to struggle to get simple things done will start to get pissed off at how much time they’re spending dealing with seemingly innocuous tasks, and eventually end up leaving the island. Of course, the passage of time also amplifies the feeling of living in a very small place that acts like an echo chamber and innovation is stifled by the local way of life and culture, and that can also lead to one deciding to leave and live in a more open environment.
I guess I’ve written more than I meant to, the reality is that I really struggle to put my feelings into words, and that is why I don’t frequently share my thoughts on the subject. I prefer to focus on the positive things I have in my life rather than acting all pessimistic. My feelings about Malta at the end of the day are genuine sadness for what was once really an idyllic place but has been destroyed over the years. I would love to say that I hope to one day return, but I really can’t see how the culture can change and the harm due to construction undone.
P.S. While in this post I focused on the negative things about Malta that led me to leave, there is, of course, the flip side. There are many great things about Malta, and I do still think that it is a very good place for digital nomads to spend some time in.
Just the title is enough 😃 👏🏼
Totally agree…. hopefully will manage to do that step soon.
Thanks for commenting Andy, good luck with making your move.
Good luck Andy! I totally agree with the article, from my perspective is also 100% true.
I can sympathise Jean. I’ve been here over 11 years now, and while I enjoy my life and Malta has been good to me overall, I am making plans to be elsewhere within 2 to 3 years. The hunters, developers and fish farmers have spoilt a lot of what Malta has to offer.
Thanks for your comments Andy, good to have the point of view of an expat too.
Jean we miss you. But I agree with almost everything you said.
Thanks mate, I definitely miss my friends in Malta too. Extra paragraphs removed, thanks for pointing that out.
Agreed.
I share so many of your thoughts, I feel like I could have wrote this…
I am currently trying my luck with my gf in Taiwan. Doing Masters here and hopefully find a job here some time next year… if not, well… I might have to do what I don’t wish to do and go back… as it’s very difficult finding a job here at the moment…
I’m surprised you didn’t write about how people tell you to get the hell out of the country whenever you criticize it… they don’t only say this to foreigners/tourists who are a major part of the Maltese economy but to their own Maltese brethren… sad…
Wish you luck wherever you are…
Thanks Julian, wish you the best of luck in Taiwan, it sounds like an awesome experience. I’m not sure what area of work you’re in, but keep in mind that a lot of work can now be done online, giving you total freedom to choose your location.
With regard to your second point, this is also very true. One of the biggest problems is that internal criticism is strongly censored and people who genuinely love their country and want to bring improvements to it keep getting silenced until they either shut up or leave and become successful elsewhere.
Once when I commented on the local politics (I don’t live in Malta) when visiting the island, I was BLUNTLY asked, ‘How do you know?’ With the same tone, but with a smile on my face, I replied, ‘The newspapers are not published just for you. I do happen to read.’ and walked away! They also say, ‘Ah you that live abroad, everything is nice and rosy there and here everything is bad and ugly.’ Excuse me! Well at least they admit! 🙂 Good day!
That’s a very common comment unfortunately, and Maltese who go and live abroad and dare to criticise when they are back are given nasty looks and comments.
Very much in agreement that Malta continues to be exploited by the many, not only the few. Growing up in Malta shows you a different side to the island than what is portrayed to the world.
It is beautiful in many areas, it is an awesome place to visit, great for partying and relaxing if you choose the right places to go, and the history is amazing.
But one cannot mistake local pride for arrogance. There is too much bullying going on all over the place – one would rather do what is considered wrong and sort out the illegalities/problems after, than spend more time (and maybe money) to do things the right way.
Thanks for your comment Mark. The issue of pride/arrogance is a good point. Yes, Malta has a very colourful and interesting history, but let’s not forget that the generations of today are creating what will be tomorrow’s history. What kind of history will our descendants be recounting? Will they be proud of what we are doing now to our country?
I am one of the foreigners who left. I totally agree.
Thanks for sharing your comment as an expat Marcos, hope things are great in Spain.
I love Malta, which is precisely why I can’t stand the current situation you described, along with the decline of the institutions that are supposed to be looking out for us.
Agreed, it’s sad that the people who really love the Maltese islands are ignored or silenced, while the ones who only care about personal gain are allowed to run rampage and exploit whatever they can.
Excellent comment Jean
That’s my feeling exactky. Seeing the country I love, deteriorating in every aspect of life, makes me too sad – and frustrated cos I cannot do anything
Thanks for sharing your feelings Myriam. It is very frustrating indeed.
“If I were to describe Malta in one word, it would be frustrating” 👏
Well written Jean. Hit the nail on the head on several issues. While the current “bullish” economic outlook is allowing some degree of social mobility, I highly doubt this is sustainable. Especially due to the fact this is fuelled by construction of everything everywhere. Will adds to the “frustration”, long-term I’m afraid.
Thanks Josvic. The construction boom will come to an inevitable end due to lack of space, unless things switch heavily to Gozo, which would be an even bigger shame.
Dear Jean,
I would like to thank you for the letter you wrote about leaving Malta. You have no idea what a relief it is to know that i am not the only person in Malta that feels the exact same way as you do. I’m in the catering industry and work as a chef and 3 years ago i decided to work in the UK with my wife and ended up as a Head Chef for one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurants in Scotland then as Head Chef/Relief Chef for Las Iguanas. We had to return back to Malta due to the birth of my son as my wife and I decided it would be best for our son to have his family to grow up with. Having been here for 3 months now i can’t believe how far away we are to be at the same level as in the Uk, be it customer service, general up keeping of roads buildings, health and safety, road rules, health care from GP’s and Hospitals, free local council support and much more. As you mentioned there is a high level of “ignorance” all around the island that i can’t escape from. From the moment i leave our house, on the bus, walking to work, at work, going shopping to Smart, driving in the car witnessing all sorts of illegal moves on the road and dining in any restaurant i cannot but help compare to the uk and thinking how on earth as a country do we thrive with the immature, irresponsible, unprofessional mentality the general Maltese population suffers from. Sometimes i feel like my brain cells are slowly dying from the childish and ignorant conversations i hear from people. Oh how i miss having an intelligent conversation with an open minded person like i used to in the UK. Im sorry that this sounds as a rant but i feel that you understand what i am currently feeling as i made a big mistake in voicing my opinion and thoughts at my current work place and nearly ended up losing my job as i was “unpatriotic ” and a very negative influence on the Maltese . Also other people said that i should leave and never come back again. That’s great , instead of listening to different views and opinions to improve, just get rid of people who Malta would benefit from. Once again thank you for the letter you wrote, it has restored back some sanity in my life as i am slowly losing it back here on the rock. James Rizzo
You are amazing . Your comment was also amazing. I hope you’ve found direction since writing this, sounds like your a gold fish swimming in a bowl WAY too small for you!!!
And I am sorry ?? But you worked as a Michelin star chef ? And you are back in Malta ? You poor man, my heart hurts for you. The level of pain your confidence is feeling must be painful. I was simply a barber charging 50$ in Toronto and moved to Malta to live the “ dream” for two years, I’m further in debt then I’ve ever been. Trying to survive on 10€ haircuts from ungrateful pricks who won’t even tip 1 € !!!! I used to cut the assistant GM for the Toronto maple leafs hair and the GM for the Toronto raptors hair!! Who all gratefully tipped 20$ all day long!
I thought that hurt..was a kick in the Balls… but I am happy to see others have felt my similar pain. I’ve since moved back to the wonderful land of Canada where people are kind and say thank you and hold the doors and don’t stare at you like your an alien or nearly run you down while you walking !! One time on my first outing walking to work in sliema I almost got smashed at a bleeding cross walk and I shouted are you trying to kill someone and you want to know what this dirty prick said ? Ya you!!!! As if!! Go burn in hell where you came from!! Only a demon would talk like that! Despicable !
As a Maltese expat myself, I can relate to most of the points you make. However, something I learnt in the past 4 years I have been out of the country is that people still living in Malta are quite touchy when somebody now living abroad comments on their lifestyle. It is OK for a fellow citizen to comment, but it’s not OK for somebody who left to pass judgement. So, when in Malta, I try to dial down the criticism as much as possible, even though it’s not easy to do.
Before commenting on the specifics of your article in a separate post, I will try and give you a different perspective on how to look at things. We have lived in Malta for 20 years+. We know all the little things there is to know about our country. Since our childhood was spent in Malta, we have Malta in our bones.
To make a fair comparison, you need to live an equivalent number of years in one specific area of one specific country. OK, granted, there are some things that are immediately evident … but some other aspects are not so evident. Of course, this also applies for foreigners coming to live in Malta. Same reasoning.
Second more general point, it depends on what the individual is looking for in life. Malta has its strong points in certain areas, while other countries might have strong points in other areas. It’s a matter of perspective. I have friends that would never move out of the country, even though they acknowledge most of the specific points you mentioned.
Last point, whether we like it or not, we will always be bound to Malta, and the more the years pass, there will always be a part of us that will have the temptation to go back home… ‘The Calling’ if you will.
Some comments on the specifics of your article:
– Malta is indeed a tax haven, and I am not talking about company taxation. I am referring to the amount of taxes the common man-in-the-street pays. No property tax, no waste collection tax, incredibly low income tax, incredibly low inheritance tax, incredibly low government/local council services fees. And I will not even go into the social services such as free healthcare (that we take for granted), free education up to tertiary level, free childcare, etc etc
An upper-middle-class couple with 2-3 kids can EASILY save upwards of €1 million euros throughout their lifetime then if they lived in some other European countries. Granted, salaries might be different, but I can assure you that Maltese are still better off.
No big comments on hunting. One small comment on construction. The problem with Maltese construction is the ugliness of the buildings we build. I am all in favour of progress and development, but Maltese apparently do not know the meaning of squares, plazas, public spaces, fountains, and parks. Spatial planning is the problem, not construction per se.
The roads … well … it’s difficult to start from scratch. I must say that the main arterial roads in Malta are quite OK now. The problem lies with the internal roads in the towns and villages. Yes, but the solution is to destroy them all and build them all again. Which apparently seems to be the plan … an ambitious one if you ask me. But on this one (I think) we are moving in the right direction.
… and please… get rid of those unsightly electricity/Go/Melita/Vodafone wires on our facades.
Totally agree. I too had the calling after 20 years in the UK. With all the valid points that Jean raised, I have no regrets or wish to leave Malta again.
Thanks for your well thought out comments Christian. With regard to the financial aspect, I have also found that living abroad really makes you think on a bigger scale and that can help you make much more money than back in Malta. What you say about various taxes like wealth and property tax being non-existent in Malta is true, but I still think that an ambitious and hard working person will probably become wealthier abroad due to the better opportunities and bigger thinking.
Outside Malta, there are certainly more opportunities for ambitious and hard-working people. I don’t know if this always equates to being better off in the long run. for some people, definitely yes. for others … I don’t know.
👌👏 great article Jean! Well done for your blog I love reading your articles! Love this part in your post “to experience some kind of ignorance” usually as soon as I land! Once I heard a taxi driver commenting about me to his colleague that I could be charged more since I looked like a foreigner. Of course I was understanding everything in Maltese!
hehe indeed. I always say… “if I want to remind myself why I decided to move away, I just need to go back for 1 week”. Joking aside, it is indeed a different way of living. Whether it’s for us or not, it depends on the personality.
Thanks Annalise! That is indeed hilarious.
I live in Malta and to be honest my mouth droped while reading your article cause there’s so much truth,something that we have to read about to realise…..guess the young generation need to shake and wake up before it’s too late!
Glad to hear the article rang true, it would be great if the young generation manages to turn the tide around, but there needs to be the right environment for that to happen.
Spot on Jean. I couldn’t agree anymore. The sad truth is that things won’t change, they’ll just get worse because the problem is coming from the authorities.
As long as the authorities keep their everything goes attitude, the generic public will follow. To give you another example of how much we don’t care about one another, when I used to jog in the “Maltese countryside”, drivers preferred to squeeze me against the wall (and sometimes being hit by a mirror, fell and almost run over) rather then slowing down for two seconds to let the oncoming car pass. And this is not a one off case, this used to happen a handful of times every morning. And what frustrates me most is when you tell the “typical Maltese” about this, instead of understanding you get the typical “u ija” how pessimistic, don’t go running.
So Malta might have the sun and the beaches, but you have to pay the expensive price of dealing with all those negatives to enjoy them, if you can get to enjoy them.
So yes, as much as I miss my family and friends, I’m much better off abroad and visiting Malta once a year, as a holiday destination. I’m much better off meeting people who are doing things in a different and most times better than me and challenging myself, and focus on what I do than having to deal with all of that.
My 2c.
Thanks for your comments Robert, I really appreciate that. We first met when you were still living in Malta, and it’s been interesting following your own journey. You not only left Malta but also left a stable job and had the courage to start off from scratch in building your own business while also having two beautiful kids. Huge respect mate.
As a cyclist myself, I can share your frustration about driving practices. I have had similar experiences while out on my bike. When my then-girlfriend and future wife moved to Malta she got her bicycle with her, but only used it once before swearing not to ever threaten her life like that again. Sometimes it takes a foreigner to open our eyes about how abnormal things that we consider routine really are.
With regard to your last point, I’m in full agreement. It’s hard to challenge people and get challenged yourself when living in a small island unfortunately. It’s much easier done in big cities abroad. I’m sure it also has something to do with the culture itself rather than just the size of the island.
Thanks mate 🙂 yes once you start travelling you start realising that what’s normal and “acceptable” in Malta is grudged upon abroad.
P.S. my wife banned me from cycling or jogging when in Malta. Had my fair share of accidents but was lucky. Not tempted to try my luck anymore.
Could not agree more than this. It is becoming an ungovernable country due to the laissez-faire attitude which permeates this country. Things which are illegal are being turned legal. I am no fan of politicians (on either side) but it is getting thoroughly worse. Environmentally it is now a nightmare as more and more concrete is poured into the little countryside which is left and garbage accumulates in the rural areas dumped by people who are too ignorant or who don’t care. Any criticism is usually met with “why don’t you leave?” Seriously considering it too!
Agreed Ray, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s hard to criticise constructively without being attacked and invited to leave if you don’t like it.
I totally agree with what you are saying and I do not feel the need to live in Malta as well. I have heard so many people mentioning the usual things that should attract one to Malta that frankly they do not compensate for the lack of avenues or the immaturity present in the country. I think that from an artistic point of view Malta is very slowly emerging however as you very well mention, the stifling environment, the lack of professionalism and the political influences kill a lot of what is good or that which can improve.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Karina, appreciate that.
Unfortunately true. Well written
Thanks for commenting Keith.
While I have not yet been to Malta, and I still feel I should fix that, I appreciate how you shed light on the potential shadows of living on a “paradise” sort of remote island.
It’s easy, maybe in particular for us “continental” people, to dream up a way of life that in reality just doesn’t exist.
Aside from enjoying a very well written piece, your post helped me putting my own ideas about moving to some remote place “some day” into perspective with first-hand experience of a local who’s been there.
Feeling lost in paradise must be truly frustrating. I’m glad to see you do well for yourself. 🙂
Paradise doesn’t exist anymore…..however it did in the past!
When I arrived some 26 years ago, I thought that I had found it:
Life was easy going, the Maltese extremely helpful and caring – whether they knew you or not. I raised my children, always pointing out with pride how safe Malta was and how caring the Maltese are. I admired their life style of being happy and enjoying their life with very little. They were happy with a fresh hobza, a can of tuna, some fresh tomatoes and a bottle of wine, having a party with family members and friends at the beaches.
However, unfortunately I feel that things have changed tremendously and – when reading Jean’s thoughts – I couldn’t agree more.
To me it seems that greed, competition, ignorance, a dangerously increasing racism and a general bully behaviour finally made it to the Maltese shores, took over and are about to destroy almost everything I used to love about the Maltese Islands.
I was in tears when I read in the news that some culprits destroyed a large part of Mnajdra temples. I was shocked when the front door of a friend of mine, who publicly asked for some understanding for the boat people, was purposely set on fire with tires and petrol. I was ashamed when friends of mine visited Malta by cruise liner and asked me about all the garbage that is lying around everywhere in Valletta because the city is lacking public dustbins, I was speechless when the results of the last referendum about hunting were published, frustrated to read that some company yet again is disposing waste into the sea…let me stop here, as the list has become too long!
As and when you dare to have an opinion and open your mouth you will surely get the usual “Go back to your country, if you don’t like it here – you f..ing foreigner – we didn’t ask you to come!” comment in return at one point in time or another.
Well, this is what I am about to do: I am going back to my country!
I will cherish at least two decades of wonderful years in Malta in my memory and will surely miss my friends, the sun and the sea.
However, I am looking forward to birds singing in the trees, the smell of fresh mewed lawn, long walks or riding my bike in forests and the country side, appointments that are being kept, same prices – no matter what nationality you are, a healthy competition, better choices of vocational training for my children, a huge choice of cultural and musical events, historical buildings that are being constantly restored to its original glory, for future generations to enjoy and yes Jean, I am looking forward to a proper central heating system in winter – you bet I do!
So, thank you Jean for your honest words – they were a blessing – and wishing you the best of luck in the UK.
Hi Carola, you brought back some great memories from when I was a young kid. Beach days, tuna, tomatoes, truly I can’t complain about growing up in Malta.
Things did really change though as you rightly describe. To make matters worse Malta has become more crowded, with more traffic, more ugly buildings and less greenery. No doubt this has amplified the negative things that were already in place.
May I ask where you are from? That description is very enticing!
P.S. I don’t live in the UK.
I am from Germany
Thanks Carola, best of luck with the move!
Thanks for your comment Caspar, and I’m glad my post provided some perspective.
You should definitely visit Malta, I’m sure you would have a great time there. Hit me up whenever you make plans and I’ll be happy to share a few tips 🙂
I have been living in Malta for the past 19 years and I have also become frustrated with all the things you have mentioned. I never thought I would leave Malta, I can’t even think of where I would go, but I don’t know how much longer I can stay sane here. The number one thing that bothers me is that without fail, every time I leave my home I am guaranteed to bump into someone doing something stupid, illegal, or selfish and it’s getting harder and harder to deal with.
Great article, very honest.
Hi Char, thanks for commenting. For those who are sensitive enough to what’s happening around them, it can truly be very tough to see and experience stupid/illegal/selfish behavior on a daily basis.
Well said. Please allow me to add one more gripe to the list…. apart from the “experiencing some kind of ignorance”, you are also very likely to bump into some self-proclaimed expert, whose credentials are usually limited to having read a couple of wikipedia entries, at best. And the worst part is? The majority of the population will gladly follow his/her advice if he shouts loud enough or sings through the right channels. So much for professionalism….
Thanks for your comment Liana, that’s another common one.
I am sure you will be followed by many, soon.
Malta is no tax haven anymore than London, Dublin, Cyprus, Amsterdam or Belgium are, otherwise its spot one, Jean – my thoughts exactly.
Thanks for your comments Ray, agreed re tax havens.
Hi Jean…great points you raise, a lot of what you wrote is so true and may encourage me to write some of my experiences. Jealousy and lack of respect is a big issue and coupled up with the phenomen of crowding it becomes something else! I left 14 years ago now and a core experience for me was the realisation that I would have to speak to an influential being to obtain career opportunities, my degrees and work experience was meaningless. I was not wanting to do this…so I left. Abroad I have always got the professional respect I deserve based on the hard work I’ve done and not depending on a contact. I seek to support young people in the same way and that is what I like about living in the UK.
Agreed Louise, many things revolve around personal recommendations and knowing the right people. That’s unfortunate as people with talent but no political leanings or important connections don’t get the chance to help bring change to the country.
It’s hard to disagree with any of your points but I wanted to share this particular experience. When we came to Malta 11 years ago, my husband was, at that time, one of the most experienced environmental experts in Europe. He had been the Health, Safety and Environmental Director responsible for those functions in an international company of 93,000 people. He then became the CEO of a UK Government body disseminating experience in the remediation of contaminated land and groundwater. In addition, he had drafted legislation for the EU and guidelines for the Offshore Oil industry and a major gas utility.
On arrival in Malta, he offered his expertise to the Government at no cost. And guess what! Thank you but no thank you.
I’m afraid concern for the environment is only given lip service by the local authorities.
What i think about my birthplace is perfectly summoned up in one article. I do agree Malta was once an idyllic place, however its been long destroyed due to the lack of planning,discipline, greedy contractors and politicians . We have ‘authorities’ just for the sake of having them. Maltese are forever doomed in believing false statistics saying Malta is one of the most beautiful and the ‘ideal’ country(rock) to live in. An island scarred with grey concrete buildings, no open spaces, no parks, no pathways, no culture, no love for the arts in general etc etc No use in complaining, if I had the means I would have left a long time ago. For the years coming I will make it my goal to do so.
Thanks for your comment Jessica. Good point with regard to false statistics and surveys. I find them ridiculous and harmful. Instead of banding together to bring positive change, most Maltese prefer to refer to a doubtful survey saying they are the happiest in the world and bask in the glory. Of course, they are quick to forget real statistics like those pointing out that the obesity rate in Malta is the highest in Europe.
Spot on and we’ll written. I agree and relate 100%. Did the same thing 5 years ago and moved to Asia now living in Bangkok and I have no intention of going back.
Thanks Martin, I spent some time living in Asia, mostly in Thailand, it’s a beautiful place. Glad you found your ideal place to live.
Excellent article, to the point and very honest.
Thanks Vinny, it was a hard thing to be completely honest with myself and write down the real feelings that made me leave an island that I love.
Dear Jean, I have read your article with great interest. I share so many of your feelings, and I must say that for a long time I have felt and still feel, as a foreigner in my home country. I have been living abroad since 2001, and I visit often. I must say that with every visit, I feel saddened, because I feel that the things which made me choose to leave are on the increase. Ugly and wreckless contruction, increasing traffic and “whatever” attitude which you so very well described are amongst some of the factors which made me leave and which make it very hard for me to imagine to ever come back in the near future. What saddens me in particular is the destruction of the environment which would have so much potential. Some years ago I paid a visit to the Greek islands – what a shocking difference! The blend of beautiful buildings in the environment made me think to myself “so that’s how it should be!”. I will not even begin to write about the possibility or professional advancement outside some of the areas that you mentioned. I too am grateful for all that Malta has given me and for this reason it is not possible for me not to feel saddened by seeing what direction it is going in.
Amazing how you compare Malta to the Greek Islands. Take Santorini for example. Winter population of 2000. Solely dependent on tourism. No industry. Part of Greece. Malta, 436,000 year round population plus 2.2 million tourists. Ha sto support population through various industries. No comparison. Others compare us to UK, USA and Australia. Great comparison!!!
I hear you Edward, sad indeed.
I’m almost sad to say I agree with you on damn near everything Jean. Still sticking it out here for now, but every day that passes, every horrific ‘planning’ ruling allowed onto virgin land, every new scandal of impropriety, corruption, or general incompetence, and I start thinking, “Hmm, maybe it’s time I move Systemato, my girlfriend, and my dog to some faraway farm in Spain somewhere.”
Thanks for commenting Mark. With the flexibility that your job affords, I would definitely recommend trying out another place, there’s not much to lose really.
Mark, we have a great place in France perfect for you, your girlfriend and of course the dogs.
From my side, there are aspects of Malta that I really enjoy, but I really hate the way they design and build… No planning, often no style and certainly not suitable for the climate. The list could go on and on, but I will refrain from my rant, as being someone who cares about the future is twice as bad as being a foreigner here.
Thank you Jean for this post. Really! I’m foreign (living in Malta for the past 5 years), which means that for health and safety reasons, I have to keep my honest opinion for myself….
For me one more very important issue is the attitudes in Malta. It’s more than once that I have experienced a bad or fairly bad service in Malta, taking from restaurants to hair dressers and small or bigger shops. Even worse, in most occasions, people I’m being served by, think they are doing an amazing job.
Once I was also told (by a Maltese!!!) that Maltese people do not expect anything better here (meaning a better way of serving customers) even to the extend of mentioning their education or the size of Malta, which is totally irrelevant. They treat people as if they are stupid and ignorant. How sad! Checking your watch if it’s soon closing time, rolling your eyes because a customer “disturbs” your peace and quietness, is just not (or should not be) acceptable.
Poor attitudes and service can happen (as everywhere in the world) but this should not be the norm. Unfortunately though, most Maltese accept this situation and “attack” you when you would like to point a word for improvement. As long as I live in Malta, I consider it my country too. I have my house here, my job, my husband, my friends… I want to see Malta improving. …But unfortunately for most I’m another “bloody stupid foreigner who wants to tell us who we run OUR country”….
I think your comment “which means that for health and safety reasons, I have to keep my honest opinion for myself….” says an awful lot about Malta. It’s not what you know, but who you know….and this is what is destroying the countryside, the towns and the iconic nature of Malta , all for profit.
Hi Mar, thanks for commenting and I’m sorry you had to go through those experiences. Foreigners in Malta can really help by bringing in fresh ideas and ways of doing things. However, a willingness to change and improve must be in place first.
Glad you managed to get away from an island which i loved and now call hellhole.
Thanks for your comment.
wow … didn’t know it was this bad. I avoid St. Julians/Sliema like the plague and haven’t been there in ages now. viva malta
I am pretty sure you or anyone can come up with a list of unpleasant things to say about any country- UK- USA- Japan-Bangkok!!!! anywhere- there are always two sides of any coin- injustice, gossip, jealousy, bad service etc is experienced all over. Everyone chooses which best enviroment he can adapt to- at least these days people have much more freedom of movement and chances to experience new countries.
There are definitely pros and cons to living anywhere. As you point out, nowadays we have more freedom to move and that’s a good thing. I do think everyone should try to travel as much as possible as travel really does change you and helps you grow in innumerable ways.
Except when that behaviour becomes the norm! That’s the major point being made here.
Ridiculously accurate summary of what is wrong with this place.
The mentality of ‘rough enough good enough’, the claustrophobic feeling of everyone being on top of each other’s business, the over-development, and the small size making it impossible to get the hell away from it all.
I’m looking at making the step myself.
Thanks for commenting Reuben, it can indeed be very hard to deal with if you take these issues to heart and feel bad about what’s happening.
Nothing I feel towards this place that isn’t written here. I’ve been trying to relocate for the past 2 years but always in vain, though I’m determined to finally see it through within the next 12 months.
Can’t wait to leave this place; not having bought a house (another aspect of that local mundane lifestyle which you outlined yourself) was the best decision I ever made.
Good luck Citoyen, I’m sure your determination will see you through.
Excellent summary of what the Maltese people really are. I could write a lot more as well, but its useless. We are a bunch of selfish idiots. Unable to accept criticism and/or any sort of order. Most are happy to boast of their ability to get / do what they want irrespective of any law and order.
Thanks for sharing your views Mark.
Great article Jean.
Living in a small island with a pleasant climate is something that appeals to people who live in the UK because we have to deal with poor weather etc, but I suspect the slow pace of life is difficult for younger people.
I’ve always had a great time when spending a few weeks in islands, but there is a big difference between visiting somewhere and living there. I can understand the frustration.
You make a great point about spending winter in Malta.
I lived in Colombia for a year or so. Bogota had mountain weather so was warm during the day, but at night the temperate would drop from around 20 to 25 degrees centigrade to around 5 degrees. No houses were built to handle that so at night time you were always cold. This is completely different to staying in Scotland where it is freezing outside but nice and warm indoors.
Without a doubt, travelling makes you look at your own country in a different light. I first went travelling outside Europe when I was 24 and spent several years travelling around the world (on and off). Coming home I always viewed Scotland differently, but I soon appreciated it for its good points and realised that there are a lot worse places to live.
Thanks for stopping by Kevin, appreciate your input. I agree with all your points, nothing more to add.
As you can see by the amount of comments received on this post, there are many people who agree totally with you. Sadly, I am one of them and I am extremely frustrated that instead of progressing this country is only getting worse! I have lived in other countries and yes, there are some things about Malta that I did miss, but all the things mentioned in your article coupled with the self-centered and intolerant attitude of people is quickly turning malta into an unbearafkr place to live. I am thankful that, like you both my children decided to take up residence in the U.K.
Thanks for sharing your views Gillian. Brain drain is something I haven’t mentioned in the article, but I am quickly realising that it might be a serious problem in the near future. While for previous generations it was harder for people to leave and go to work in other countries, nowadays there are very little barriers. Malta should be ensuring that it retains its best talent and forward thinking individuals but I’m afraid that’s not the case.
I’m a 40 year old unskilled worker.Were i a 20 something masters graduate i’d certainly give quite a number of thoughts to leaving Malta.However i’m afraid leaving this pit is only for the young and qualified professionals.The rest of us unwashed must tough it out.I would love to say that steps must be taken to improve both quality of life and our attitudes but i’m afraid that’s not gonna happen anytime in my lifetime.
Truthful article about the third world state of this island that is disappointing so many. I am consoled by your observations because I niw know I’m not the only one contemplating leaving. The Maltese are an ignorant and arrogant lot who will ultimately kill off their golden goose (tourism). Even at my age (45) with three uni degrees, I haven’t given up on my dream to leave. Still hoping to settle in a country where I won’t have to beg some bigwig for the most medial job. Good for you for leaving and best of luck.
Thanks Sean, as most of the comments here prove, not all the Maltese are ignorant and arrogant, so there’s still hope if we can change the attitude of shutting up anyone who criticises constructively. For what it’s worth, I think you’re still young and with your knowledge you could surely be successful elsewhere. If you feel like that is the right decision for you, I say go for it. Good luck!
I have searched long and hard for an article to justify why I wanted to leave Malta when I was in my mid teens. A decade too late I might say!!
Accurately written, Jean! When I was young, I always wanted a career that involved travelling: air hostess, tour guide, journalist, etc. But was discouraged because us Maltese are somehow used to our tight-knit community of ours and the idea of going to a bigger country frightens us. So I’m still here… hopefully not for too long this time…!
Well done on your achievements!!
Thanks Claire, I always try to encourage people to follow their dreams. We are very lucky to be living in an era where it is much easier to break the mold and choose our own destiny. Previous generations didn’t have this luxury so it’s no surprise that we were brought up in an environment that favored those who followed a certain template for how to live out their lives.
This is exactly what I have been thinking, for ages! Maybe now you should create a post about places one can consider in the case that he/she wants to leave this ever increasing ruckus, OR how to actually prepare to leave, what to keep in mind and some good tips 😀
Great post Jean! So sad that the restaurant is great but we gotta change it due to the clients and the owner.
Thanks for commenting Eric, those are indeed two good topics that I might cover in the future. Choosing a country to live in is a very personal decision and it depends on many factors. Nevertheless worth thinking about.
I like how you refined the saying, the restaurant is indeed great, it’s the owner and the other clients that make it look bad.
Hello jean
I don’t agree with you on many thinks and I agree with you on a lot of things , I moved to a different country myself ,5 years ago and I still say till today that ,like Malta no one will ever find , there’s a lot of room for improvement but I don’t think you should slate it ,every thing has its good and bad , your country is mainly run on tourism this is the least we want our clients to see , I personally think that you should have kept your opinion to yourself mate a lot of people don’t care on what you think anyway ,
Hi Neil, thanks for sharing your views. While I respect your opinion, this post was purely a reflection on why I decided to leave Malta, and why it pains me to see a beautiful island being exploited in this way.
Hi Neil,
The moment an individual is not allowed to express their opinion is the day democracy and modern day civilization dies.
If you don’t like the opinion, simply move and and ignore it.
Coming from a Maltese national who also relocated to live and work abroad – I also share many frustrations outlined in this post.
Andrew
There many ways to express your opinions , can say the same to you mate if you don’t like my comment simply keep on scrolling , I moved abroad for different reasons
I never asked you not to make your comment… I just responded.
Andrew M – I fully agree with you.
Jean – I agree with you too. May I add, to your ‘heart pouring’ that I have the same feeling and sometimes I say that I’m sorry I didn’t leave sooner, but I was ‘hoping’.
Very refreshing reading your blog. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome Anna!
I do care, and I totally agree. It’s a free country and he should have his say. Thanks for sharing Jean!
You’re welcome Alex.
Anyone who “don’t care what” Jean “thinks anyway” would probably be best advised to stop reading his blog. I’m sure you are aware that a blog is generally written by a single person and, on a whole, usually reflects what they think.
We love Malta, have bought property and have made it our home for the last 3 years (perhaps the “itch” will come in a year or two!), but everything you wrote rings true for me, Jean. It’s a wonderful place to bring up a family, and no-one can doubt the beauty that can be found on the island, but the selfishness and general lack of consideration for others is the thing I struggle with most- the “I’m ok, so fu** you Jack” attitude.
Hope you’re enjoying wherever you’re calling home these days.
Thanks for commenting Eli, unfortunately, some people don’t get the concept of a personal blog or the fact that the title itself says that this is why I personally chose to leave, not that everyone should leave or that Malta is the worst country. That’s just the nature of publishing things online however…
I’m glad you’re happy in Malta and hope the “itch” never comes, moving is a hassle and especially so with children in tow.
“a lot of people don’t care on what you think anyway” – just about sums up my reason for leaving. Nobody cares about anything anymore, except making a buck or inventing new ways of how to cut corners…
Great post and there are certainly many more points that can be added to the list..
I’ve lived here for almost my entire life and since day one there were things which I couldnt wrap my mind around but I always had an appreciation for the safety of the island. I always considered myself lucky and I was grateful that my parents decided to move here.
After the last few years, safety has disappeared, frustration and aggression has been on the rise, foreigners are sick of the way things are done, locals are either losing themselves in local issues like politics and the justice system, whilst others are simply sick and tired of just how over populated the island has become. In the end, I think everyone deep down knows that the island is headed towards a very bad future and people are trying to find ways to deal with it.
I think I too will soon be finding a new place and hopefully it will give me the sense of freedom and safety as this island has when we first came here.
Thanks for your comment Inna. You make an important point that during the last few years things have taken a turn towards the worse, mostly because it’s inevitable that there is a tipping point. You can’t keep exploiting a small island like Malta without having serious repercussions sooner or later.
Sadly true. It’s the political sphere that worries me most – a corrupt duopoly, deeply in the pockets of property developers, and supported by fanatics.
No doubt that is one of the principal issues with Malta. I could easily have also mentioned this problem in the post. Politics is too ingrained into Maltese society, with too many people supporting one party or another purely because their parents did so. Only by thinking critically and eliminating the “us and them” divide can politics improve in Malta.
This is so accurate in my eyes but I wouldn’t have known how to say it. Malta is a lovely place with lovely people but the ignorant ones just outweigh the decent people, not mentioning all the points you have made! I just flew to America for a month and noticed so many different things, even just the way that road works are coordinated! Every time a road in Malta is dug up, it’s uncovered for a week with dust flying out and then everyone wonders why there’s so much dust! How can it ever be enforced if the authorities/government do it themselves?
I have not once spoken about my frustration publically about this island, I’m very positive about life but I just happened to fall in-love with your article.
This is why I love travelling so much nowadays just because of the whole mess over here in Malta! I believe that many things will never be reverted at this rate.
I share your frustration! Great post and I admire you!
I forgot to mention, I am a runner, and yes, the lack of pavements forces me to sometimes run on the roads which is very dangerous, but most of the time the roads always contain potholes and are full of bumps, slides and whatever you want to call them.
Thanks Maximus, I also like to maintain a positive outlook on life. It wasn’t an easy post to write for sure.
I moved from the UK about 3 years ago. Yes, there are frustrating things about living here, but they are far less than the UK in my opinion. Maybe I have been lucky, but honestly I can think of only a few examples of real bad service in Malta and two of those were from fellow foreigners!
The standard of development is, however, generally terrible. A total lack of imagination shines through on so many ugly buildings and the destruction of lovely houses to build these horrendous boxes is sad to see. The trapping and hunting is a major blot on the landscape and clearly much of it operates outside the law.
Other than that, no it’s not paradise, but where in the modern world is. Would I swap it for the UK? Never.
Thanks for chiming in Phil, and I’m truly glad you’re enjoying living in Malta.
I agree on a lot of your points Jean. The gaming part really hits home. One thing that I can’t stand in this country is the conflation of gambling with “gaming”. I just finished MCAST to get into the video games industry, the “actual” gaming industry. For years I have heard how gaming is so big in Malta, and how many gaming companies come from overseas. I pursued this career out of personal interest, but I’m sad to see that the government won’t bring in the real games industry, the largest current media industry in the world. There is a lot of potential talent here that is just wasted, so I will most likely follow my predecessors and find a job out of the country.
That’s true Neil, thanks for making this point. If you’re into mobile gaming, Barcelona is a great place, check it out.
The grass is always greener on the other side. Although I agree with most of your points, what I find so disheartening is people like you (modern thinking with Malta’s best interests at heart) leaving Malta to another place that’s “better”. How do you expect Malta to change or become the place you imagine it could be by leaving? Change takes time and it happens with people first. You have to be there to fight for change as long as it might take. By leaving you allow the normal mentality and ideas to live on forever and ever…
I was born and raised in Toronto, but when I come to Malta, you better believe that when I see someone (Maltese or tourists or foreigners) not pick up their dog shit or leave their garbage behind … I put them in their place, politely of course. We all need to come together to make the change we want. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Thanks for sharing your views Chris. I’m happy to hear that you make the effort to educate others when in Malta. I also tried that when I lived in Malta, but you quickly turn into some sort of vigilante and I don’t want to be that kind of person who is angry at everything all day.
Visiting and trying to correct a few bad apples is one thing, but living in Malta is another story. As other people have also said, in Malta it’s also tough because any criticism gets silenced very quickly, sometimes even by close friends and family, so it’s easy to think you’re alone to feel this way.
You really hit the nail on the head with all of your arguments. I have experienced your feelings many times and even expressed my frustrations publicly. Guess what? More often than not, I get looks ranging from bewilderment to a more sinister kind saying ‘don’t let your head grow and stay in your lane’ (out of fear and envy you’ll turn out better than them).
That said, there are some very good things about Malta, mainly that education opportunities if you are willing to take them. That said, there is a glass ceiling, and if you want to further your studies or work in what you have studied in, you need to take the leap abroad.
Agreed Karl, thanks for commenting.
Great post Jean!! Absolutely spot on!
Thanks cousin!
Hi Jean, one always need a good reason to leave their home, be it to explore new places and cultures, learn more about oneself and expand their world view…and given we’re Maltese, learn a few things we’re not taught – patience, respect and courtesy.
I left Malta in 2001 and returned in 2014 to work in gaming (gambling)….i can safely say that i returned as an expat, or rather, i felt like an expat. Three years later and I still feel like a foreigner in my own country…which helps…what also helps is having a non-Maltese wife. Given the 13 / 14 years spent travelling and working in Europe, UAE and California I have a lot more patience for the cavemen roaming our roads (which you correctly point out, also roam the streets in other countries, it’s just the size that makes one’s interactions with these people more frequent!). One thing i cannot get my head around is the mediocrity and acceptance and protection of this mediocrity by most Maltese. Mediocrity in everything. And a lack of consistency in everything bar a few places and individuals who really do try their best to provide a top class service, which is obviously lost to the mediocrity!
However, after 13 to 14 years away, i really missed my little Island + i had a son and wanted to spend more quality time with him which Malta has given me, which is priceless + given the experience one gains abroad, when you come back, just ensure you’re treated like a local with foreign experience and you may just see Malta through a different lens, if you so wish! A lens which unfortunately cannot filter out the greed that is rampaging our beautiful Islands and surrounding sea. Will I stay? Who knows…working in digital helps you travel around and do the stuff you love without feeling trapped to one location. Keep hacking away at whatever your’re doing and have fun doing it. The best thing that can happen to you is that you let go of all the Maltese “things” that annoy you – especially the curious or nosey about your neighbour or friend of friend gossip rubbish etc etc…
I think Johnny Depp has the best advice: “Just keep moving forward and don’t give a shit about what anybody thinks. Do what you have to do, for you.” Good luck!
Thanks for your comment Steven. I agree about the size aspect being a crucial element. Can’t fault Mr Depp’s advice 🙂
I can understand you,
when I came to Malta in 2005 it was rather different then what it is today.
I came with my private boat and spend the first 3 nights in Portomaso. After these 3 nights I did not want to stay in Malta, that area was loud overclouded, overpriced and not nice in my opinion. I couldn’t understand how that area should have been the “prime location of Malta”
However I decided to sail around the Islands prior my departure and on that occasion I visited the not finished Grand Harbour Marina and the 3 cities. I fell immediately in love with that place. Only later I learned that these “areas” are the worst of Malta and no local in his right mind wants to live there.
I spend there many years, had a fabulous time and then slowly slowly the Island changed.
Im still happy that I spend my days at sea around Malta for a living, if I would be on a Land bound job, I would have left together with my Maltese wive and son already.
The traffic situation and 0 iniciative to move away from persona car transportation is tha main factor for me that Malta becomes “unlivable” for me.
A simple commute always ends up in traffic jam, no parking and generally a 2hr odyssey, even for the shortest of trips. Its just not fun to go anywhere if its not directly in your nearer neighborhood.
If one finally manages to reach somewhere he generally is met with bad service, and amounts of rubbish on the streets and also in the sea by now.
I dont blame it to much on the “overpopulation” but rather on the ” i dont give a shit” mentality, that most places are filthily by now.
Well I guess it willl change as soon as more people move away from Malta again 😀
Maybe I will be one of them too
Hi Freddy, thanks for sharing your experience, all this rings true. Having a job sailing around Malta is a sure way to compensate for the frustrations experienced on the island itself. The sea is beautiful as are many of the views like the Grand Harbour, cliffs etc.
Yes yes yes! Jean! It was like reading my thoughts word for word! However just want to correct you on one thing, I don’t blame you for thinking this of course, coming from this island, with its mentality, you would lump online gaming and gambling together. However they are two VERY different things, even though the Maltese say the gambling is “gaming”. Now if you go onto youtube, and see big youtubers and gaming channels, they play video games, they dont gamble. That could send me off to a tangent of how maltese culture stops you from being an internationally successful and famous youtuber/singer/artist/musician/actor etc. And as much as those are of course a hard thing to accomplish, it is not impossible, and after all we are at a day and age where more and more people are achieving it easier. Malta is still in the mentality that its just a childs dream, like a little girl wanting to be a princess or a little boy wanting to be an astronaut or a cowboy. Rant over 😛 But yes this was a brilliant article Jean, thank you!
Thanks for pointing that out Julian! I’ve seen a few other commenters mention it and I’m sorry for confusing the terms. I’ve updated the post.
With regard to the tangent, that’s also very true. While it might have been difficult in the past for someone from tiny Malta to be successful on a worldwide scale, thanks to the internet, social media and their democratising effects, this is no longer true. I know exactly what you are talking about, having achieved success as a blogger and as a podcast host. Few people believed I could make it, but there you go. Believe in yourself and work hard, and everything is possible!
It’s like you read my mind and wrote my thoughts,but I would also point out that religion and politics are given way too much importance in our everyday life and that unfortunately some people seem to be above the law because of that.I would like to thank you for your time writing this interesting article because people tend to make me feel like I am the only one who feels like you.
Hi Keith, I could easily have included that point in the post. I haven’t been to any other country where people take politics so seriously. If it were a healthy political discussion that would be great, but instead what we have is a great divide that only serves to stall progress and put labels on people.
I’m glad this article served to show that there are many people who think this way.
Thank you for putting some of my thoughts into words. Ironic I stumbled on this article while waiting for my train back to the UK locality I now call home, after a short visit to Malta to see my family and close friends.
It only takes a few days to remind myself instantly about everything that made me consider leaving for many years before I was able to make the move. You’re certainly not alone.
A year later I am even happier than I thought I would be. I was teased that everyone believes the grass is greener on the other side, but it metaphorically and actually is. Thanks to my background I can appreciate things like the ability to cycle to work, wide pavements, acres of land and mountains to hike, a reliable and functional public transport service, ease of ordering items and groceries online amongst an array of other things, which the locals sometimes take for granted.
I’ll be sure to have the link handy to invite all my colleagues and friends who ask me what made me want to leave.
Thanks for commenting Sarah. I can’t believe so many people are posting here and saying that they feel the same. Although I always suspected that I’m not the only one who thinks this way, it’s good to see that there are many people who have gone through a similar experience.
I’m glad to hear that you did find that the grass was indeed greener on the other side, and all the things you mentioned are things that I could have added to the article.
Sir, you should never ever talk like that to your home land ! every place and country in the world has its problems ( you should watch the news sometime). You should have left quietly , and leave your thoughts for yourself ( you didnt make any good or change by this article anyway !
Hi Nathan, your opinion is welcome. I agree that every place has its pros and cons. This blog is just a means for me to document my way through life and write about things that I feel and am passionate about.
Nathan, it’s very telling that you can’t take criticism about your own country from one of your fellow citizens. The lack of respect of free speech on a personal website is nothing short of ridiculous
Spot on! Were i only 30 years younger i would be off this piddling pinhead too….
This is an eloquent piece and I do agree with many points Jean, but I also think lots of it are to do with your personal issues and nothing to do with Malta.
The points about the greed and over-construction are spot on. And I too would use “frustrating” as one of the ways to describe Malta – it can be a nightmare to get things done properly at times. But you’re clearly very sensitive – and that’s not a criticism in the slightest – because you say things like “every time you step outside of your door you are bound to experience some kind of ignorance”.
Well, that’s absolute rubbish. I lived in Malta as a child and return at least once a year nowadays. I’ve also worked there as a reporter on various assignments. While ignorance goes on for sure, it’s a gross exaggeration to suggest you encounter such behaviour on a daily basis. It’s an incredibly friendly place, and I’ve literally travelled the world so can make that comparison.
Malta comes top, or almost top, of several surveys, completed by thousands of people, for personal happiness, quality of life and the best place for retirement. That doesn’t equate with the picture you paint.
You say you weren’t going to be able to change the culture of the nation – but did you try? Did you join Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar? Did you petition your MPs about the construction? Did you visit the Planning Authority meetings and raise objections? Or did you just write a blog post, because that’s a lot easier and increases your digital footprint a lot more than sitting through a boring council meeting? There was a mass clean-up of Malta by volunteers recently. Did you go? I’m not moaning at you, I’m just asking the questions.
Now, if you did any of those things then I’ll stand corrected. But this is part of the problem Malta does have – lots of people complain, but hardly anyone does anything about it. There’s not enough action, not enough pressure on the government and planning authorities by the public. People just talk or write blogs. It’s not enough.
I’m actively trying to move back to Malta, and if that happens at some point, I’ll be joining some clean up groups, environmental groups, and doing my bit.
And you seem obsessed with money – you talk a lot about earning more money abroad. That absolutely is the case – but does it make you happy? I work with people who have to get up at 3am to get to work and many others commute for more than an hour each way. They have a better salary than the Maltese but their quality of life, and family life, is diminished. Some things are more important than money.
And your points about people in Malta telling those who complain to get out – you do realise UKIP, which wants to restrict immigration to the UK, got 4m votes recently? That Brexit will restrict people from overseas from coming to the UK, and that racist attacks increased after the Brexit vote? Some of the UK’s national press is openly hostile to migrants, much more than the Maltese press is.
The UK has its own issues with foreigners. As do most countries – this isn’t a Maltese thing, it’s sadly an issue humans have with other humans.
As for your points about gaming companies in Malta, and the judiciary, and hunting, you’re perfectly entitled to have your own misgivings about them. The judiciary, for example, is indeed incredibly cumbersome and something of an embarrassment. But how does that effect you directly? And the UK is home to major arms dealers, nuclear warheads and – brace yourself – gaming companies. Also birds are shot all year round in the UK, on country estates all over the place. Does this mean you’ll be leaving the UK too?
Many of the problems that you speak of are valid – but they relate to the human race, not Malta. They’re simply amplified because the island is so small, and it’s perfectly fair of you to make that point, but your tone is that these issues are Maltese by definition, and I do think that’s unfair.
I also think that you’re burned out and needed to leave, because the island is tiny and claustrophobic and can irritate in many ways. But trust me – the sense of community, the natural environment – of which plenty remains and needs fighting for – and the charm of Malta is much better than many places, including the UK, where the culture revolves around indoor activities and alcohol. Just depends what you want out of life, I guess.
Having said that, you’re perfectly entitled to your misgivings and you leaving is clearly the best thing for both parties. Good luck in your new settings, and let’s hope they do make you much happier.
Hi Mario, thanks for taking the time to share your opinions.
First of all, this is my personal blog, I write mostly for myself to clear my thoughts and share what I learn and experience. This post is no different. I’m not a great talker and I express myself better through the written word, so I thought it would be good for me to note down why I decided to leave Malta. Mostly as a means of journaling my thoughts, and so that my friends and family can read a proper recount of why I made the move.
Secondly, you seem to think that I’m comparing Malta to the UK. I don’t live in the UK, I only mentioned the UK in passing in my post as I had spent a year there studying for my Masters degree. I happen to think that it’s counterproductive to compare countries or cities head-to-head and discuss which is best. Every individual needs to see where he finds himself most at peace. This post was specifically about why I left Malta so I would limit the discussion to that.
I like to think that I did play my part in trying to improve things, although not through the specific organisations that you mention. I do agree that if more people were to stop complaining and do something about things, Malta would look very different. The fact that people are so complacent is one of the major things that bothers me. Take the spring hunting referendum as an example. All people had to do was to go out and vote. But we all know how that ended. So much for so many people complaining year after year about hunting and its effects.
You mention that I might be oversensitive and that most of my points are due to personal issues. Well, I do think I am very sensitive to injustice and things being done in a half baked way. It is one of my character traits and no doubt caused me a lot of strife while I lived in Malta. All I can say is living abroad I don’t feel the way I felt back in Malta, so I think the move was right for me. Again, I’m not suggesting everyone should do the same, I’m just writing about my personal experience.
I’m not sure where you got the impression that I’m obsessed with money. I’ve read the post again and I don’t see where I might be giving that impression. I do most of my work online so geographic location is pretty much irrelevant. Come to think of it, I could probably make more money in Malta than living in more expensive countries and travelling. Quality of life comes way before money for me, as is being fit and healthy, and I can also say that my quality of life has vastly improved since moving from Malta.
I do agree that some points relate to human behaviour in general, and are just amplified in Malta, although I wouldn’t say all of them. In any case, I didn’t feel good living in a place where these negative behaviors were amplified, so I left.
Once again thanks for taking the time to leave a long and thoughtful comment, I truly appreciate that.
In reply to this comment: “And you seem obsessed with money”… Where is making money even mentioned in the post? What facts is that conclusion based on?
For clarification, Jean mentioned finances in a reply to a comment: “With regard to the financial aspect, I have also found that living abroad really makes you think on a bigger scale and that can help you make much more money than back in Malta. What you say about various taxes like wealth and property tax being non-existent in Malta is true, but I still think that an ambitious and hard working person will probably become wealthier abroad due to the better opportunities and bigger thinking.”
Right, how is that being obsessed with money when he also explains that he would have more money if he stayed in Malta due to expenses and such, but quality of life won over money?
Mark,
I was in Malta for 2 weeks a couple of weeks ago. I wish I kept a diary of the ignorance I came across each day. I don’t know where you go when in Malta, but I go there and stay like I’m living there, doing all the normal things. I can assure you I met with ignorance each and every day.
Every time I leave Malta it makes me sad to realise I’d had enough in just the couple of weeks I was there for.
Living in Malta is exhausting, frustrating and restrictive all rolled into one.
I feel you… Hope I never have to return or raise my child here…
Even as I write, an idiot got out of his car in Burmarrad in the middle of the road to check something instead of pulling aside… Need I say more…
Thanks for your comment Michelle. I’m sure we’ve all experienced that kind of behavior very frequently.
As a foreigner who’s been living here for over 3 years I would add just one thing. I think it’s very sad that Maltese don’t care about the island as they should. Mess, mess, mess. Simply said they do not give a shit and greed and making money is on the first place. And it’s getting worse and worse. Yes, they are very nice and friendly and helpful people but mostly it’s not as in fact it is. I still enjoy living here hoping that one day things start to change for a good, otherwise this island will loose its good value.
Thanks for your comment Gabriela, sadly I agree. Good to know that even foreigners see what I see.
One slight correction on your first point. There is also another reason why gaming companies are incentivised to come to the island, cheaper labour cost comoared to other EU countires. On the downsode, cost of living is on the increase whereas wages are not at par. The other issue here is that no local resources are available.as people (rightly so) are opting to move away from this “paradise”. Another point is the excuse of culture and tradition, where making noise, closing arterial roads for celebrations of pagan feasts and, last but not least, fireworks…what is the point of pettards anyway! Moving on…what about commenting on services offered across the various sectors…did I mention Service? It is non-existent!
Thanks for your comments Rainer, thanks for providing more insight into why the gambling companies move here. With regard to the rest, I agree.
Reading this piece breaks my heart. Firstly i do not see any reason why you should be apologetic in any of your thoughts and opinions. Deep down in the hearts of many of those who love Malta & Gozo feel the same as you do.
Thanks for your comment Steve, it was indeed a very difficult post to write. The fact that it’s taken me several years since I left to finally get to it says something.
I also think that many of us who really love Malta & Gozo feel pained to see the direction that we’re taking.
Great post. Couldn’t have expressed my feelings as to why I left Malta any better.
Marcel, you were one of the people who inspired me to make the move. Thanks for your help and encouragement.
Spot on. I lived abroad for 8 years and came back due to family circumstances and because we wanted to bring up our kids here. Now we’re here we would up and leave again were it not for said circumstances but the mentality here is poisonous. We are lucky to have lovely loving families. As you said, abroad you can go away from idiots. Here you are stuck. Ofcourse living broad is not all roses and we have had our fair share of troubles. But the sad thing is that when you are overseas you are a foreigner but when you come back you are a foreigner in your own country. And we never managed to shake that feeling off. And neither do our children. Cutthroat competition,back stabbing, jealousy, disorganisation, and dare I say it, no breathing space. However, although in
our forties, our kids are still young and as adventurous as they were abroad and we still do not rule out moving away again.
Exact same situation! Hard to settle back when you’ve known a better quality of life!
Thanks for sharing your experience Amy.
Like always spot on! Great article! We need to catch up mud! Hasta luego 😉
Always a pleasure catching up with you David, hasta luego!
I am a foreigner and I have lived in Malta for many years, and left and then come back but now I think I finally managed to leave for good. I can relate to everything you say. At first Malta indeed seems nice, people “seem” nice, weather seems nice and it takes a few years before your rose tinted sun glasses will come off and you realize for what it really is.
For me the most shocking and truly traumatizing experience has been with the Maltese landlords. I have lived in several countries before and I had never any issues with landlords abroad. However in Malta landlords have failed to pay me back my deposit, they have bullied me, they have come in with their own keys, they have failed to do repairs, they have refused to leave to the point when I have had to call the police, and in the meanwhile getting a lot of money cash in hand in rent.
I think the final point was when a landlord refused to give me his account number so that I could pay rent and instead garnished my account for the amount AND garnished another 3000 on top of that for “legal fees etc”. I eventually left Malta, and the court case continued to couple of years. In the meanwhile, over 3000eur of my money being blocked without a court order. My lawyer, that I had hired to prove my innocense and show my evidence, failed to appear in court, so I lost the case. I have a feeling this was some sort of agreement between them, so that I would lose automatically. These type of things happen all the time. The justice system is completely corrupt also and if you are a foreigner you will lose in 99% of the case even if it would be a clear win win situation in any other civilized country.
I have also heard of Maltese landlords garnishing former tenant’s wages, or bank accounts, for something like 5000eur for a “water and electricity bill” (which they have probably never paid), because they think that foreigners would rather pay up and leave than stay and fight.
I get messages all the time from other foreigners about their bullying landlords who treathen them with the craziest things, and even fraudulently take money and kick them out without a proper notice. IT is a wild west, complete wild west there.
I still have nightmares about Malta, it has been now a year I lived abroad. I now love the greenery, people who are polite and not aggressive, and you know that you can have trust in the justice system if anything was to go wrong. Maybe for some Malta is “a paradise”, for me it became a hell. And I know many foreigners who have experienced the same and left. I feel I am finally safe.
Hi Laura, I’m appalled when I read such stories. As you mention, this is not a one off and I’ve heard similar tales before. I can imagine what a terrible experience that was. I apologize for the behavior of these Maltese people. I’m glad you found a nice place to call home. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hiya Laura, I left Malta when I was 16 and have lived in the uk since 2001, thank you for sharing you experience but I feel it is unfair to attribute your experience as a Maltese problem. I have had to deal with some horrendous landlords at university and can confirm they’re just as bad in the uk
You couldn’t have explained life in Malta better.
Hallejtni bla kliem ghax dak kollu li ktiebt int, ilni nghidu ghal dawn l-ahhar snin.
It’s a shame
Grazzi Elkjer.
Good to see there are more digital nomads out there 🙂 I’m completely with you… same reasons drove me out of the rock and into Switzerland. Best decision I ever made for myself…
Nice! I think you couldn’t have chosen a more different place than Malta. I only spent a few days in Switzerland but it felt great to be in a place where things are done seriously and people are passionate about their jobs.
Excellent! Spot on!
well, I wouldn’t live anywhere else. At least Malta is safe.
What makes it safe, and safer than anywhere else? Was that just a dig at the attacks in Barcelona earlier today, or do you genuinely have experiences of it being safer than other countries you’ve lived in?
Even Peru is safe.
You write so well Jean! And made some very good points!! We left Malta for personal reasons that had nothing to do with the country but I can see how we might have ended up leaving anyway!
Thanks Caterina.
Totally agree with you, but once on a motorcycle fan page on facebook, i pointed out that Malta is not a motorbike user friendly place, then the feedbacki got was “go back to your country”, there are a lot Maltese can’t stand any comment against Malta, especially from foreigners.
Thanks for commenting, I definitely agree that Malta is not a motorbike or scooter friendly place. And yes, that kind of reaction is pretty common unfortunately.
Jean I agree with you 💯%. Good on you for moving and good luck for the future xx
Thanks Victoria, appreciate that.
I am a Bulgarian and now I am living in Malta for the last one year. I am working in a Financial services and on a daily basis I am saying your words.Malta is not a tax heaven definitely in Ireland I was earning more than here and paying lower tax than Malta. I can’t believe how malteese people become so hungry for money and they dont see the real situation I was in malta in 2011 and the rent was 300 eur now 1300 ev for the same old flats and salary averages in 1000-1200 a month , than how to pay this rent? A lot of my friends left Malta becouse of the increase in expenses and lower salaries.Only gaming companies pays well but if you dont want to work for them? Your article absolutely match with my opinion.
Thanks for sharing your experience Pavlina, what you say about rent is very true.
Yup, after a year in Malta, I can recognize the truth of all the points you’ve made here.
Interesting read, especially because after 12 years in the UK, I am considering returning back to Malta myself. I pretty much agree with eveything you said, but after living in another country for 12 years I think I could write a similar piece about the UK. You are right however, abroad you can live in a bubble and for the most part stay away from idiots.
Thanks for your comment.
Couldn’t agree more. malta has become a shithole. while your bulgarian friend has made a point about changing the restaurant, revolutions happened in history to change the “menu”. Now metaphorically that is impossible and I’m not talking about any violent revolutions. The moment Maltese start thinking outside the two main political parties, is the moment things would improve. Maltese need to start thinking about their lack of open spaces, high-density population and that the economy sky rocketing at the expense of ODZ land and even more urbanisation is not all that matters. Until then we will remain like the “Bangladesh of Europe”.
Ronald, I long for that moment when the majority of the population wakes up and starts fighting for what ultimately is their right to live in a country were many of the problems you speak about are not tolerated.
Gaming companies are not here for fiscal reasons only !! This is a misconception created from other jealous European Countries. They are here because we were the first country to create a decent and practical gaming guidelines by being in the forefront for having a Gaming Authority. They are here because logistically it makes absolute sense. Skilled Workforce is abundant and the attributes that characterises our Island make it ideal for foreigners to work here as well.
Morality has nothing to do either Jean when working in a gaming company. If you have an opinion and moral issues towards gaming, then you should work with one. Be that person who offers support to players, be that person who sets limits for them to safeguard them. Work in gaming and do well by your morals.These companies provide a service, they care about their clients and protect them as well, not only taking their money. These companies offer decent income for employees and their families, offer a nice environment at their workplace, they offer careers in all areas: Legal , financial , IT, design , marketing – you name it.
It is obvious I work in gaming and it hurts me that people who do not understand the work we do try to put morality in the middle as we are all monsters.
On other aspects about Malta, I have worked and lived abroad for many years, one of my kids was even born abroad. Malta has moved on like other countries. Most of the things you mention are either changed with progress or simply time. There are many things I’m sure we all wish were like 20/30 years ago, but it’s not going to happen. All countries have ups and downs but looking at the world today, especially Europe , I would put Malta first in safety , I would put Malta first in offering my kids a decent education for free , a decent medical service for free , a nice lifestyle for decent money. Being a family man, these are the things that matter most for me!
Maybe if I were single and 30 years younger I would travel and work and live else where , like I already did but I would not rubbish my country and pick on the shitty stuff all other countries share with us as well.
Thanks for sharing your opinions here Danny. Keep in mind that this is a personal post about what bothered me in Malta, it was not written with any intention to rubbish the country or compare it with other countries.
With regards to the gambling companies, it’s true that they offer careers in all areas, and I’m sure that one could do well and serve customers within his role. I care not only about my personal role but about the company I’m working with and how the industry I work in is impacting the world. Hence personally it’s not a sector that I’m very excited about or willing to work in.
I would have wished that Malta would have worked hard to not only bring gambling companies to Malta but also other IT companies. As it stands if you’re an IT person and you want to have a good career and get paid well, there are too few choices apart from working in gambling companies.
When I was still studying I clearly remember that the aim was to have many big software companies come to Malta (hence Smart City and the proliferation of IT courses). In the end though the vast majority of companies which came turned out to be gambling companies. Malta did that through fiscal incentives and by creating the legal framework for them to operate, as you rightly point out. I suspect that most big European countries were unwilling to invite these companies in and that is why Malta stepped in.
Being Maltese living abroad, I can immediately relate and agree to all the sentiments with this article. The laissez-faire attitude and lack of standards in the end get to me too – not that these things are not found abroad, but in Malta they are far too visible, far too frequent.
I visit Malta frequently (at least once a month) and although I miss my family and friends, the climate, the sea and my usual haunts, I do not miss the island mentality, the political polarisation, the overcrowding, the parking, the excessive heat in the summer months and the cold houses in winter, the simple act of forming a queue, or the many times people try to cheat on even the smallest opportunity, makes my return from Malta to where I currently reside freshening.
I still love coming back to Malta but luckily I can do it in small frequent doses which are more like having a quick holiday. Still hoping that in time, the more Maltese travel overseas, the more they appreciate what is good and what is bad in Malta, making amends and raising their own standards. Great article Jean!
Thanks for sharing your experience Chris. I think that if Maltese travel more abroad and are keen to learn from how other countries manage certain things, Malta will definitely improve. It’s good to see that Maltese youth is traveling much more than the previous generations, and that will lead to more open attitudes and opinions.
A very fair article that shines a light on some difficult truths about the islands. Thank you for sharing these insights Jean.
Thanks Sam.
Great article Jean.
A few years ago I had enough and I thought I could make a difference by really being involved in voluntary work. I dedicated most of my spare time to various causes, including fighting the Zonqor university project tooth and nail, meeting politicians, and I even led Malta’s environmental NGO platform on my own steam (basically) for 2 years.
I have grown cynical, and tired. Our politicians don’t care frankly. And many people are idiots and selfish to a degree where their only argument is “u int fejn kont meta….”… As if all of us lived in the 70s.
I am now abroad. I miss Europe, and some things in Malta, but it is clearer say by day what a delusion we live in, thinking that an overcrowded dying island is the centre of the universe. Our politicians are frauds, corruption is rank and we have an ethical vacuum in Malta that has no cure, it seems. Greed has won the day.
I still long for the restoration of Malta. But I’ve fought the fight and lost the battle. Thankfully I can move elsewhere in time. Unfortunately many cannot.
Thank you for summing this up Jean. Can we share this with politicians? To see why they have a brain drain?
You’re welcome John, thanks for trying your best to improve things. I am full of admiration for people who work with environmental NGOs in Malta, it must be an incredibly straining role.
I’m glad you found a place where you feel happy, and like you, I long for the restoration of Malta.
I think the politicians know perfectly well what the situation is and what the future looks like, they don’t really need me to explain things.
I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve written and at the same time I’m sad. I wanted to leave too and the two years I spent abroad were bliss, but some things keep me stuck here. This country is frustrating and stifling, and some of it’s people are narrow minded. Try working in the public sector and you’ll see what I mean: people that sabotage and badmouth you if you speak about change, progress and doing things right… not to mention being surrounded by people who get stuck in a cycle of bureaucracy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lewis. I can imagine how difficult it is to work in the public sector, thank you for your service and for trying to voice a different opinion.
Hi Jean. I moved away from Malta three months ago and I totally agree with you. One of the reasons I moved to Germany hopefully for good is the poisonous mentality in Malta ..and politics. Well done for this article. You were right on the mark.
Thanks Rosanne.
Hi Jean,
First of all I hope that you are safe after today’s horrific attacks in Barcelona. I remember with fondness walking down Las Ramblas, nowhere is safe anymore.
Secondly, your post resonated a lot with how I felt and still feel about living in Malta. Having migrated to Australia some 5 years ago I can say that all the frustrations you’ve experienced I used to feel daily too. I felt like my family’s quality of life was starting to suffer and this in turn made me very short tempered as I felt that we couldn’t do the basic things. Simple things like going out with young kids was so hard due to the constant traffic congestion, loud noise and lack of parking. In summer it proved next to impossible to go to the beach unless you go there very early or late in the evening.
I also wanted to point out that most people lack discipline and greed has overtaken pride for their country. People do not want to do what is right for their community, just what’s good for their families. This manifests itself in daily things like they way we drive, littering and simple things like queueing in a line. Not to mention the lack of manners you come across daily.
I hate making comparisons but over here in Australia, people are very well mannered, staff at the supermarket counters always ask about your day and they genuinely engage with you in conversations. I remember it took me a few weeks to get used to such friendliness. Go figure! Also since the basic things that would expect from a developed country such as institutions, authorities etc work to help people you feel at ease and as a result I’m a lot more relaxed now then I ever was living in Malta.
It pains me to no end that my young family is so far away from our family and friends but every time we visit I realise the contrasts that exist and a reaffirmation of the step we took to move away from Malta’s shores. We recently visited Gozo and I really do hope that the developers stay away from it because it is a fantastic gem that should be preserved, it would be a big shame if it met a similar fate of it’s bigger sister.
Regarding criticism, you have to thread carefully as people are over sensitive and unfortunately do not take feedback very well.
Stay safe!
Hi Daniel, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. The attacks on Barcelona indeed horrific and I’m saddened by the loss of lives and injuries sustained by innocent people. Unfortunately, no place is safe anymore, especially high density and touristic areas.
I’ve had the same experience you describe in Malta, and while it’s not fair to compare countries, I do think it is important to evaluate whether one is happier living elsewhere. I know that in Australia things work very differently when compared to Malta; that is a fact that nobody can deny. There are many other locations with similar ways of life, and if one is happier there why not be free to move there and share the experience?
Thanks again for sharing.
Feel the same way, hence why i’m moving out. It is a shame though. Gambling brought a lot of income to Malta though, but agreed.
Very well written Jean, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think it resonated with alot of people. It is a pity that Malta has become this because I do have fond memories growing up in a small village, playing outside with friends. The thing that not all people understand is that this critisism comes from pain/sadness because (speaking for myself here) there is so much potential but it is all being thrown out of the window by treating the population like a small brat without the need to respect rules…what do you want to shut up and be good aka what do you want to shut up and vote for me… it’s ok if you break the rules or rather kind of cool to manage to get away with it, etc etc.
We are living life as if there is no tomorrow or no repercussions unfortunately. And yes I fully agree that big picture thinking is rather (dare I say almost) frowned up, and this stifles a lot of ideas.
To conclude I feel that a lot of people share your opinion and the current system overlooks this because they are not the majority, so their option is to leave the country…kind of what comes first the chicken or the egg…
Thanks Amy-Jo for your comments. You nailed it when you said that “this criticism comes from pain/sadness”. I’ve said this earlier but it’s worth repeating again that I didn’t write this with a happy face, nor with any kind of spirit of revenge or maliciousness. I simply sat down for a painful few hours to let the truth come out about my experience.
I’m honestly overwhelmed by the response that this post is getting, and it’s been very interesting to go through each and every comment and get an insight into everyone’s feelings on this subject.
I also worry that the issue of brain drain is not getting any attention. If people with a wish to change the status quo get shunned and attacked, they will have no choice but to leave to other countries, especially now that there is full freedom of movement in Europe.
The moment I read your article, I thought you were me; time traveled here from the future. Because this article is an out pour of what has been going on inside my head for the past couple of years, except much more formalized and less savage. Good luck with your ventures, I am happy to know that another like-minded person decided to stop wasting his talents here.
Thanks Shawn, I hear you.
Great article, you expressed my same feelings about Malta. It’s a pity we ruined such a beautiful island over the years. If only more Maltese lived by the Golden Rule, Malta would be a much better place to live in.
Thanks Matthew. Fully in agreement with that statement, here’s a link to an article about the Golden Rule in case other readers are wondering what that is.
Jean,
I’ve aborad most of it in the UK and from my perspective I when all the pluses and minuses are totaled … I prefer Malta big time.
I do however identify with many of your points and frustrations… I won’t share my thoughts on all but a few.
The over development…. In that I wholeheartedly agree and as a local it hurts me to see so much of the island abused without respect for responsible and sustainable development… It’s tragic and sad and i’m sure will back fire as it ruins a lot of what makes (made) Malta pretty and quaint.
The stifling mentality and working here…. Well that’s one of the things that had really got to me… And why I left for a number of years … I used to work at MDH… I would rather work as a grabage collector than go back but I got lucky.
In England I made money ey enough to invest in some old properties in Valletta and the 3 cities and create a new stream of income… My profession and skills (anaesthesia) has allowed create a job for my self and now I only surround myself with friends and people that I find constructive.
As for my social circle …. It has always been wide and I’m proud of the varied and atypically open minded people I surround myself with….
As for negativity and jealousy… Yes there is a lot of that but I’m happy to say I completely ignore it… I don’t even ask people’s opnion anymore… I’ve been called mad and also accused of throwing away years of my career but I find that encouraging now …. Most of it comes from a place of cowardice, close mindedness and tradition from their part…
I’m also apolitical….
I’m not saying politics is not important…. Its not important for me cause I just adapt to whatever comes my way..
I admit it was not easy to reach this mindset … But thanks to it Malta is just fun for me.. a place I can meet so many people from all over the world … A place I can get things done without too much red tape and protocol (something that bugged me a lot in the uk)…..
There history everywhere … Friends and family are close and I don’t need to plan events well in advance… There is ways something going on.
I love the sea and swim all year round … There leads to explore and appreciate if one only looks.
Traffic has become tragic its true but I got a motorcycle and I use my car when others don’t…
So in summary I love Malta but I’m lucky…now I don’t have to do things cause I have to anymore… I don’t have to wake up to rush hours or listen to superiors who are negative… I managed to mitigate most of what frustrated me and just expose myself to what is positive for me…
It was not always like that … And I did actually leave twice in the past! So I do feel you on many levels.
Anyway it’s a pity the local frustrations have driven another person such as yourself away but as I say and feel the world is big and it’s all home …. Good luck and I hope you let go of the frustration little Malta causes and see the good stuff on your short visits… like that you get the best of all environments. Take care
Dr Gauci, your experience is a real pleasure to read. I can see how you’ve managed to carve out that perfect niche of existence in Malta. You seized your opportunities and did things differently and I commend you for that. Now you can enjoy reaping the dividends of your work while enjoying the positive aspects of Malta. Bravo.
Thank you and yes, I do enjoy the short visits during which the focus is on enjoying time with family and friends together while also enjoying some of the remaining natural gems of the islands.
Every time I spoke out about all these issues in the same way, I sometimes could feel the instant dislike towards me from many. It’s constructive criticism in my opinion, but reality is hard to face up to at times, even on personal terms. That is how one can improve however and maybe that is why all you have mentioned has remained and probably got worse.
If you give an opinion, you will be defined to one side or the other. As in politics too, or you could be called a traitor, an outsider, an old bore and probably told to go back home if you are a foreigner. But then we are the kindest people on earth in our minds, not to mention the most generous, the most etc…..It bewilders me sometimes.
Your lucky you have a choice and can get away 🙂 Good on you and all the best!
We must also say that all is true to a point however, depending on wherever to go and live in a lot more places too. As you have said, it depends on who and what one is surrounded with and which opportunities one can take.
Thank you for your honesty, we need more of the same from all.
Thanks for your appreciation Jason. Every place has its pros and cons, and if you have a choice it’s good to think about whether you’d be happier living somewhere else. It’s a personal decision for everyone to make as you point out.
Thank you, Jean. So true, ugly truth.
I left Malta this May after 5 years of living. I truly love this island, have so many friends there, so many memories, amazed by so many cool spots and places there… However, I was so annoyed by bureaucracy and mess there when you need to wait over 3 months to just receive an invitation for an interview to change your visa status. My own visa expired while I was waiting for a meeting, and when my bf came to speak with officers (every single week during 3 months time) we got the same answer over and over again: “This is election time, nobody cares until it will be done”.
You’re welcome Dasha. May I ask where you moved to?
Have few options at the moment. Want to travel right now and have a fresh inspiration.
I completely agree with you 100%.
The level of frustration and stress I m feeling every day it’s really not worthed anymore.
Moving in 10 months, just counting the days 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good luck with your move Martina, where are you off to?
I ‘ll go back to my country, Italy, and give it a try. The economy is better now, we really reached a low point few years ago, but I see improvements.
My boyfriend ( he is Maltese) and I are both freelancers so we ‘ll be working from home and keep having our international contacts.
The rents in Florence countryside are so low right now, can’t wait to wake up in the morning, go for a walk in the woods and finally breath.
I LOVE Malta, don t get me wrong, but it s time to move, discover new things and challenge myself.
Good luck dear, your stream of thoughts was amazing 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Martina. Being freelancers gives you the opportunity to travel and live wherever you want. I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Florence.
Although I haven’t considered moving myself, I have to admit that I have never experienced this level of frustration.
There’s an attitude where making a quick buck is more important than anything else. It’s like nobody realises that all of this comes at a cost which we all need to pay at some point or another, whether it is an environmental cost or a financial one. The construction industry has shot up property prices—when a huge percentage of property is still unoccupied.
Overpopulation (which nobody seems to be talking about) is having an impact on the environment, water shortage, traffic management, waste management, parking issues, cost of living and so on.
Yes, there isn’t a day when I leave the apartment that I don’t notice a stupidity. Just come to St Paul’s Bay area and you’ll immediately understand what I mean.
From the bar owner who decided to organise a BBQ on the pavement in front of their bar and across the street taking up 3 parking bays and a traffic island, and of course playing loud music.
The scuba diving shop who has no shame in parking his pick up truck in between 2 parking spots so that they can easily load and unload equipment, while their other truck is parked on a double yellow line on a daily basis. Stating that they’re ”too busy to move the car“ for me to park.
To the driver blocking my garage entry—a complex of 35 to 40 garages—for more than an hour causing a line of 4 cars in the middle of the street because nobody could access their garage. And the police couldn’t do anything because “the words Garage no Parking faded and only in use 24hr a day, tow zone are visible”.
To all the cars parked on double yellow lines, pavements, even traffic islands and cars coming up in the wrong direction. 8 offences in a walk of 5 mins between my garage and the apartment, almost on a daily basis.
Many blame Maltese culture and mentality but the problem is the lack of law enforcement. The bar owner is British, the scuba diving shop owner is French. Unless they have already adapted to Maltese mentality I don’t think we can blame the Maltese people and their culture. Cultures are mouldable if there’s control and discipline.
And although I didn’t join any pressure groups, I do report to the police when I can’t access my garage or I can’t park in my street because somebody selfishly decided to block 2 parking spots. Does this change anything? Not at all.
Well said, Clint. Having to experience that on a daily basis is incredibly frustrating. Since I know you personally I can vouch for your attitude of doing things the right way, and this clashes jarringly with your immediate environment, so it’s no wonder that you end up feeling that way.
Great point with regard to the nationality of the people you mention. That just proves that culture is infectious. If a foreigner comes to Malta and decides to stay, most likely he would have adopted most of the bad habits of Maltese culture. On the other hand, those that are appalled by this behavior get attacked in several ways and it’s made clear to them that they are not welcome, which results in them leaving.
While I do agree with trying to do one’s part, in my experience the force of the majority is too strong. Most efforts don’t lead to any lasting change and are more likely to have negative consequences on the person trying to instilll the change. Personal threats, verbal abuse, alienation etc are the order of the day, and in the end we have to live in fear of reporting illegalities or speaking out because of what people will say about us and how they will take vengeance.
Verba volant, scripta manent.
I believe releasing frustration in written form is never a good idea. I am sure you are aware that whatever you wrote is quite relative to so many variables starting from your current mood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativism
You got fed up of the small Mediterranean insular mentality. Fair enough. You have a whole world to choose from to change a bit air. You will discover that eventually you get fed up of your new reality as well.
While I do understand your frustration, I believe a blog post wasn’t really the right way to express it. While it generated a lot of interest, it has really no concrete value. Plus you might regret it in retro-spective.
Ai posteri l’ardua sentenza.
Hi Marco, thanks for your opinion.
I respectfully disagree with your statement. I have been blogging for many years and I’ve found it to be an excellent way of clearing my thoughts, sharing the lessons learned and connecting with others. This post was not a careless and spontaneous release of frustration and the result of me having a bad day. These thoughts and feelings have been in me for many years, it’s just that I happened to have some time to think and I wrote about this, as I write about many other topics.
I’m sorry you found no value in my post, I didn’t write this post with the aim of generating a lot of interest, attacking anyone of making a statement. It’s just another post about one of my experiences in life. This is a personal blog with no particular objectives except to act as a kind of journal for me as I navigate my way through life.
Nevertheless, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and offer your advice.
Negative or positive, people have the right and obligation to write about.
I think that is the point that you just missed, not sharing negative observations/feelings/frustrations prevents a momentum to be formed.
There is no need to share pseudo-wisdom by linking to a page on Wikipedia about relativism. There are for sure many relative descriptors and many subjective comments made by Jean, but it is his right to be subjective because he is an individual with 1 subjective life – his own.
Anyway – Jean, first time for me to read your blog, and I am glad to have found it.
I believe releasing frustration in written form is a good idea. I do not believe writing a post because you got angry one time is a good idea. The latter is not the case with this post, that’s clear from just reading it.
Just curious, what other way would you express this frustration? What would be regrettable in the future from publishing an honest post like the one above? I’m asking as someone who would not have done anything differently, so I’d love to know how the thought process goes from the opposite perspective, not just the end result.
You mentioned a lot of points ,but what about the problem of all these foreign illegals that come here from all over,doesn’t that bother you ?
That didn’t influence my decision in any way Colin, so I didn’t mention it. Migration is definitely a serious issue worldwide that needs to be tackled by politicians and requires a lot of international collaboration. It’s a very intricate matter spanning the relationships and histories of many countries and I don’t feel in the least qualified to comment on the topic.
Sadly this person’s last comment about “illegals” reflects a certain sector of the Maltese who see it only as an impingement on Maltese soil. The humane term is ‘refugees’, as most of them risk a great deal to escape the hardships in their original countries. We indeed should be bothered, that no viable humane solution has been found, yet. I am often proved wrong when trying to order in a restaurant where waiters do not speak or understand Maltese! Thus, the other side of the coin.
Well said Dwardu, I’m well aware of how tricky this subject is, especially in Malta and other locations that have been directly affected.
Spot on dear. If I choose to leave ( which am not) would be because of illegals. The only thing that am bothered with. Good day.😊
Well written Jean!
I am 50 years old and have lived in Malta all my life. I am confused as to whether I should be pleased or saddened to know that there are people out there who share my exact same thoughts… 😖
Thanks Marguerite. That’s a good question indeed. I think it’s probably a positive thing that there are a good number of people who feel the same way. It means that there is the willingness to make a break from the practices that we see around us. Perhaps the sad part is that it still seems like the majority remains intent on shutting up any criticism and maintaining the status quo. Only time will tell.
Same same my brother left in 2000 been back three times never looked back
Ha! I miss hearing that phrase 🙂
I concur with you. There are some things I miss from Malta – especially the food.
There are other things I miss, but I realise those things are no longer available in Malta. Many things have been ruined.
I have lived in the UK, Japan and Germany. No place is perfect, but I wish Malta could be a little bit less island minded about it.
I definitely have my nostalgic moments, but like you when I go back I realise that the things I miss are already gone. Not all of them, but some of the most important ones for me.
No place is perfect, that’s for sure. I’m curious, any dishes in particular that you miss?
Very nicely written. And I think it’s really important to also have this kind of honesty in conversations — especially from someone that grew up here — instead of only the “Malta voted best place to live…” type of articles that barely brush the surface of reality.
Agreed Amanda, thanks for your comment.
You have spoken for me too. My feelings were and are just the same… that’s why I live in Spain now for the past two years. Well done!
Thanks Gabriel, Spain is a great place to live in, whereabouts are you?
I’m not the type to comment, but this really hit home!
A very valid reflection of Malta today. The contrast between other civilized countries and Malta is greatest when I land back from a holiday and keep telling myself I can’t stand the culture here, this seems to wear off after a few months, which is probably why I never end up leaving. However I can totally relate to the level of ignorance in Malta, I cannot cross the road safely as somebody is driving and texting, I cannot drive safely because somebody runs the stop signs. I have given up cycling after being run over (even though I was wearing high visibility clothing and observing all highway codes). I cannot spearfish (using a divers buoy) without some idiot speeding right past me (Law states minimum 100m distance). Cannot walk in my field without getting shot at during the hunting season. I could go on and on.
As you probably noticed, I like many others are ready to complain but never leave, but who knows… never say never.
All cases we can relate to unfortunately Andrew. Thanks for your comment.
Dear Jean, you have really good arguments. I too, feel that you have voiced my thoughts. Living in Malta I always felt as we say in Maltese “a fish out of water.” No wonder when I got the opportunity I left this island. It’s a pity because it’s a really nice place and though I don’t admit it I guess I love this place in one way or another. But like you I cannot go back now, no, not 10 years after I departed.
When I go back on holiday to visit family and friends I see a lot of changes in the country which I don’t totally agree with or like but you cannot stop development I suppose or what it is?! I’ve been living abroad for 10 years now and I cannot even bear the thought of coming back to live in Malta even though my loved ones are still there. Thank you for your article it’s really an eye opener and good luck for your future abroad!!
You’re welcome Daniel, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Couldn’t have said it any better myself…excellent article!
I was living in Germany for around a year and the difference is extraordinary. Yes life in Summer in Malta is great but not when you need to get stuff done. I am now in Malta for some time, but I plan on going back!
Thanks Jean, good luck with moving back to Germany, it’s definitely one of the best places for working efficiently and getting things done.
Kif qrajt l-ewwel paragrafu hassejt pessimizmu qawwi.
Komplejt naqra u, ma stajtx ma naqbilx mieghek dwar il-frustrazzjonijiet li semmejt li hawn f’dina l-Gzira Unika bl-isem ta’ MALTA. Irreferejt kwazi ghal dak kollu li dejqek u li gieghlek titlaq minn MALTA.
Madankollu ma nizlitlhiex tajjeb li kellu jkun Kuntrattur Bulgaru li lluminak b’li jekk ma jghogbokx il-menu ibdel ir-ristorant’.
F’liema post fid-dinja ma ssibx lil min jilhaqlek salibek? Lil min jghir? Lil min jabbuza? Lil min jikkorrompi? …………?
Ovvju, hassejt li kellek titlaq ghal hajja ahjar u jalla li qieghed ahjar.
Jien inhobb hafna s-sajf u jahqarni naqra. Ix-xitwa hija bzonnjuza imma, ma niehux gost biha u, mhux ghax inhoss il-bard.
Waqghet it-tieqa tad-Dwejra, f’Ghawdex izda, ma waqghetx id-dinja. Hawn izjed twieqi.
Jiena nhobb inzur pajjizi ohra izda, kif jghaddu xi jiem inhoss li ghandi mmur lura MALTA.
L-istess, jien idejquni hafna affarijiet li nhoss li huma hziena imma, ma nirrabbjax ghal MALTA izda, ghal xi Maltin.
Sal-lum, hekk nahsibha.
‘Gostibus non disputandum’.
Thanks for your comment Horace.
Do I need to say that I agree 100%? Well, actually it is a 200%.
As so many others before me have already mentioned, but it’s as if you’ve written this article off my own thoughts, Jean. Brilliant piece and well written.
I am an expat, but I consider Malta my home now and care deeply about what happens here. It saddens me to see the best parts of it fading and the worst thriving. People don’t seem to understand or take responsibility for their actions, which can have grave, long term negative consequences. As you pointed out as well, anyone trying to do better or deviating from the norm is shunned. Let alone an expat daring to speak up and attempt improvements. It’s never “good for you, seeing a problem and contributing to solve it”, but rather “if you don’t like it, just leave”.
I agree that so many expats realise after about 3-4 years that they are no longer willing to deal with all of the frustration. I’ve seen too many friends pack their bags and leave, and it’s almost the same reasoning every time. For now, I’m here to stay, and have even gotten through a home purchase and refurbishment. For my sake as well as the whole country’s, I genuinely hope Malta’s priorities will change and it will once again become the Mediterranean Paradise it is advertised as.
Thanks for sharing your experience Lilian. I hope you make things work in Malta, we need more expats that integrate and bring a positive change.
Every year, some old Irish and Dutch friends of mine, now living all over the world, have what we call a “lads weekend” – we pick a destination and, leaving our wives and girlfriends behind, we spend a weekend remembering what freedom was like.
After long discussions and many arguments, we have settled on Malta for next year’s lads weekend, partly because there are plenty of direct flights, partly because someone mentioned that it is being “the next Ibiza”, and the one member of our group who has been there before said “… it certainly isn’t sedate … reminded me of the nightlife in Prague.”
My understanding is that we will also be allowed to shoot birds from the balcony of our hotel.
Enjoy your lads’ weekend Donnacha, I’m sure you’ll have a blast and Malta will be a sure hit with all your friends.
Well said, Jean! Agree with all the points in your article. I was also born in Malta, but would never go to live there, again! I still go on hols there to see all my relatives, again. Good luck in your future adventures.xx
Thanks Joan!
Jean ! I can say I totally get you on this and cannot deny any of it, but than again my view is totally different
Malta still has my full positive view. I am home, I have my family, I have my friends, maximum an hour away. Then again I work, hangout, meet randomly with foreign people easily on a daily bases from all different parts of the world, from all different aspects, cultures, religion, the least to say. I feed on this knowledge, grow…and create wisdom. Yet again, all given to me freely, at my own home!
Home where poverty is minimal, terror which is still in the stories, serenity with all the natural beauty which so far we can still receive, weather, safe seas. I simply live my life and let live.
Up till now its a good balance, and saying this is where I get to totally understand your point. We where far way old fashioned, easily pointing and creating taboos, we where a tiny rock with a pea sized mind. The growth was definitely needed but than again everything is controlled by politics, of which we all now this includes corruption, greed of money and power, and yes sadness fills in. The fast pace growth we are heading on, is undeniably scary and we all now that due to the same greed mentioned above, the idea to find the balance and stop is never an option. The reality is that this will keep on going endlessly and soon enough OUR lovely home is gonna be literally stolen from us and practically sold to who ever may fit best.
It is the world evolving to a bad course Jean, not Malta. Its evil reigning over good and higher statuses getting stronger and stronger. That is the brutal reality. Take another good look at the world and tell me if Malta is not one of the FEW places remaining where peace and safety still fills our hearts and streets.
Thanks for pointing the awareness, more locals should wake up to this reality and guard their home as long as possible.
May we all manage to keep our mind and soul as healthy enough to say we lived rather than just exist. That is the challenge in this cruel becoming world. No matter where you are, no matter where you put your grounds.
Thanks for your thoughts Charlene. I’m glad you have found a good balance in Malta. I think there’s been plenty of evil throughout history and I don’t necessarily share the opinion that the whole world is evolving on a bad course.
Malta is a relatively safe place so far, violent crime is minimal although petty theft and pickpocketing are increasingly common. There are plenty of places around the world that are as safe or safer than Malta, so safety wasn’t a primary driving force for me when deciding whether to stay or leave.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your views, you are spreading the right message about being a good person and living life to the full rather than just existing.
My name is Jude Azzopardi and I am voicing my opinion on Mr. Martin Stanmore’s page. I am currently a Maltese native living in San Francisco California
I’ll second George Talbot’s reply to your article.
First things first we need to do our part continuing to beautify this beautiful gem before we do any bashing and not give up educating others and mindfully express our concern to others Maltese too especially tourists and foreign individuals. I for one have returned back in the fourty six years absence living in both in Canada and the United States. Now I am planning to come back for the final time. The difference from before is that this time I’m returning back with an open mind and since I had the opportunity to come visit at least each year for the past 9 years I choose to recognise the improvement that the island has accomplished under both governments instead of searching on what is wrong. You know! The glass half full theory.
So dear Jean I feel you and I hear you loud and clear and please allow me to remind you that being it that I am now over sixty I have a different perspective about life and about choosing on where and how I wish to spend the rest of my life. I am not certain of how old you are but from what I can sense you’re much younger and I will predict that ones you reach my age your frame of mind will change because by then you will realize that yes England, Canada, America and many other large countries will remain to be beautiful to the naked eye meanwhile what you must not ignore is that the fact these country’s population is also growing rapidly so is the crime, the jails are all over flowing you work until you die, women and children are not safe walking alone and weather it’s Trump, Clinton, Theresa May they all live off of your high taxes and keep in mind that your pension/social security is at stake and one day soon it will dry out and worst of all God forbid you come in need of a medical emergency and you’re not covered out of pocket, get ready to sell all your belongings in order for you to survive and maybe be cured.
Jean, I am speaking from experience. I wish you happiness and prosperity living away from this beautiful little gem.
Peace and Love brother and don’t hold back please do come and visit us and remember deep beneath the frustration these natives of Malta all share at the end of the day if you fall they all will rush to lift you up.
Thanks for sharing your views and perspective, Jude. I appreciate you taking the time.
I wouldn’t generalise with regards to the big countries, but I do agree with you that preferences can and do change depending on our age, hobbies, needs etc.
I wish you best of luck settling back in Malta, and rest assured that I will still be visiting from time to time because there are still people that are very dear to me living there as well as unspoilt areas that I enjoy.
I finally managed to leave Malta just over a year ago and now literally living the dream in the Philippines. It’s a big place, sparsely populated, close to nature. The friendliness of the people reminds me of how Malta used to be,I have rediscovered the joy of simple things. Life proceeds at a slower pace, with less stress.
I miss my family, it’s too far to visit with any regularity, and I miss the health care safety net that Malta provides but I really do not miss anything else about Malta.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you found your ideal way of life in the Philippines, it surely is a beautiful place if you love nature (especially if you consider how little there of that left in Malta).
Hi! I really took my time to read this and can honestly relate very heavily to the points that you have made! I am a 17 year old (turning 18 this November 2K17) currently living in Oxford,England.
I spent my childhood and two years of my adolescence in Malta before moving to the UK at the age of 12. Being able to read all the issues I felt I had, living in the country, being spoken about in a very bold manner has helped me feel so much more comfortable as a person because I feel I am no longer standing alone and that someone finally hears what so few wish to say. The most persistent thing I have been through throughout the years I spent there was being called ‘iswedi’ (to those who don’t understand – it means blacky!) during my secondary school years at Maria Regina Secondary… and at such a young age I did not even realise some of the discrimination I was facing.
Thank you for using the power you own as a blogger to help spread some of the pains and struggle I faced.
Hi Zak! Being able to help people feel a bit better is one of the biggest rewards of blogging. Thanks for choosing to comment and relate your experiences. It is good to always keep in mind that whatever you feel, you are never alone in feeling that way.
You are still very young and Oxford is a beautiful place. I visited the city around ten years ago when I was studying in the UK. Wherever you decide to make your home, I wish you best of luck for your future, may you achieve all your dreams.
Hi Jean, all.
I agree with the vast majority of your article. As an expat living Malta for nearly 10 years I will describe a few of the things that really tick me off about Malta.
I own several Companies in Malta. I provide jobs for local people as well as foreigners. We are basically an equal opportunity employer. Although I do take advantage of certain tax incentives for having relocated my business activities to Malta, I do still generate and pay hundreds of thousands of euros annually in tax for the country. I import alcoholic products in one business and pay hundreds of thousands of euros in Excise Duty alone!
One of the things that ticks me off the most about Malta is the way that the Maltese people treat you and everyone around them irrespective of race, religion etc. This opinion is also largely shared by my Maltese staff.
My staff are endlessly coming to me in a state of absolute contempt due to the way they are treated on a day to day basis whilst just simply attempting to undertake their duties. They receive threats, harassment and encounter indescribable ignorance and arrogance on a daily basis. The local attitude of people is Arabic in nature.
One of my delivery drivers arrived at a clients establishment today in order to deliver his order and got told to simply f’ off and come back later. The said client also purposely got into his fork lifter and started to intimidate my sales rep’ by edging towards his Company vehicle making him believe he was going to drive it into the side of our vehicle.
Punctuality! No one turns up on time for literally anything. I find it intolerable to endlessly have to deal with people who don’t have even the slightest shred of decency in them to turn up on time to a meeting. We’re not talking being five minutes late. Half an hour or even an hour or more! Sometimes they don’t turn up at all! This particularly ticks me off when I’ve literally just spent half an hour in a traffic jam to get to my appointment.
The greed. Never in my life have I ever come across such a pure unrelenting level of selfish greed as I have in Malta. Quite literally every cent counts! The sheer quantity of people who are willing to screw you over to make a quick buck is frightening!
Idleness. I saw a survey made a few years ago by a credible international firm rating Malta as the most idle nation on the planet. Although I did laugh at the article in my opinion it is true. No one turns up to work on time, when they do they play on Facebook all day, undertake their daily activities with the most typical Mediterranean styled approach and they typically bring their breakfast with them. Finding people with a good work ethic is practically mission impossible. The labour market is very poor and as recently announced by the Times of Malta – most firms are finding it difficult to find staff due to the above problems.
Banking. Upon applying for any kind of overdraft, mortgage, loan etc you will immediately realise that you are at a complete disadvantage when compared to your local Maltese. For example, when buying a house, Maltese are typically required to put down a 10% down payment on a home when compared to a foreigner who has to put down in the region of 30 – 40%. Legislation has supposedly “changed” some of these banking practices, however, nothing has really changed. Naturally, there are exceptions to the rule!
Garnishee orders. You only have to look at someone the wrong way in Malta to end up having a Garnishee order placed on your account. In Malta you are not innocent until proven guilty. You are simply just guilty! Garnishee orders are typically placed on people’s accounts for even the most trivial disagreements before any kind of court case or judgement has been made.
In relation to Garnishee orders etc, the judicial system in this country is a complete and utter joke! Court cases are still going that have been active for over a century! The court house in Valletta is the busiest building in Malta. The lawyers in Malta purposely ill advise you (off the record) in order to manipulate you into court so they can make a killing from you. And don’t dare get into a legal battle with the wrong person. He will have paid everyone off and the odds will be truly stacked against you regardless of the strength of your case. And don’t dare think about taking another lawyer to court in Malta who has done wrong by you – you will find that practically no lawyers exist in Malta who are willing to take other lawyers to court in order to acquire any kind of justice.
The roads. The roads are beyond pathetic. As rightly said Jean, they are comparable to that or a third world country. In fact, I’ve ventured into the deepest, darkest depths of Africa and seen better! We only seem to get a road re-surfaced whenever it is election time. A good tool to win over a few votes. Of course you will get your road re-surfaced providing a Minister lives on your street or if the Pope/Queen or any other self righteous moron plans to pass by your house that day!
Road Tax. The rates charged for road tax in Malta are beyond a joke providing you have a car with an engine capacity larger than a scooter (slight exaggeration). Whilst in many parts of the EU, road tax is expensive for vehicles with larger engines, in Malta it is a whole other level. The system put together by the all knowing and all wise Transport Malta and Co only serves to keep old rubbish on the road thus unnecessarily polluting the “air” we breath!
I could go into great detail for the above comments, however, I would need to start my own blog, but the above is the tip of the iceberg.
To summarise. In my opinion, Malta is just about beyond repair. And if repair is at al possible, it will take centuries to put right.
I am selling my businesses, cutting ties and leaving. I’ve had just about enough of this place.
I really rushed my comment as it is nearly mid-night. I can quite literally go into such an enormous amount of detail that I think anyone would find it difficult to counter my comments. However, the summary above will suffice.
Good night.
Martin, I don’t think there’s anything else I can say but thank you for clearly stating some of the issues one has to deal with on a daily basis while living in Malta. Yours is a sad story to hear, because Malta sorely needs forward-thinking expats like you to drive the Maltese economy forward and introduce different practices. Just as I suspected, however, it’s still a very hard task and I’m sure you’re not the only one who tried his luck here only for his patience and energy to eventually run out.
Good luck with your move, and if you do start a blog, you can count on me as your first subscriber.
I love u!!! My God…u just wrote in a perfect way what I always think. I’m a foreignerand I’m so sad for what they are doing of Malta! I hope too move also soon 🙂
Thanks for the love Elena. I’m glad the post echoes your views. Good luck with the move!
You nailed it. Can’t agree more. As for the argument – why foreigners come here .. they would not come if they get the same treatment as Maltese.
So much for being european when we insists on treating Maltese as second class citizens. I wonder if they would come if they had to pay 7 times the tax rate pf Maltese ?!?
Thanks for sharing your comment Duncan, you hit an important point. Why give such preferential treatment to foreigners who relocate to Malta, when there is a brain drain problem with many talented Maltese giving up and relocating abroad? Shouldn’t more effort be done to keep the Maltese in Malta by providing the right environment and equal if not same tax treatment? I’m all for incentivising and attracting foreigners to Malta because I think they are essential for Maltese culture to change and evolve, but your point is very valid.
On the other hand, due to the same cultural practices at work, I think that apart from the tax advantages, foreigners have it harder than the Maltese in living their daily life and navigating the various bureaucracies. There are plenty of comments here testifying to that aspect.
Hi Jean,
Well said.
My opinion on the issue can be summarised into two statements
1. I’m ok, fuck you Jack
2. Fake patriotism
While everyone is proud to be Maltese and love their country, very few people would do anything to protect it, words come for free, but how many people try car sharing to reduce traffic congestion, how many people are ready to do their part to discard waste properly, how many people refrain from eating pastizzi and smoking to reduce the burden of the free national healthcare system, how many people/developers are ready to do sustainable development?
I mean in Malta, culture is not about survival of the fittest, but rather of the “haxxej”.
It’s only natural to follow the successful, even if it means bending “a bit” the rules.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Mark, that’s a sad thing about how things are done in Malta. You either row against the current all your life, with the strain and hardship that comes with that, or you join the club and bend the rules to your advantage.
Hi Jean
Yesterday I was reading your article and what you mentioned is exactly what my husband and myself grumble about all the time. Most of it is true and we feel helpless about it.
Then this morning at 9am we came to sliema for a swim at one of our favourite spots. Now we’re having a coffee watching the sailing boats sail by and listening to good music . This just reminded me why we did not leave Malta. Our lifestyle.
We go abroad twice a year and have travelled extensively because I feel claustrophobic in Malta after a few months not travelling. This is possible only because in Malta we don’t need to worry about having to pay college/university for our two kids nor do we need to worry about hospital fees.
I’m sorry that you mentioned how the Maltese are jealous or they backstab you. I am over forty and although I met those kind of people I can assure you that we have friends who have stood by our side and we have stood by their side through the good times and the bad times that life has thrown at us.
Moreover seeing the good life our two teenage kids are having we feel blessed we live in Malta.
Finally I repeat I agree with all the negatives you mentioned about living in Malta but for us the positives out way the negatives.
Thanks for sharing your experience Maria, I can relate to it too. I’m glad that the positives outweighed the negatives in your case. It’s worth repeating that where one decides to live is a very personal choice that depends on many factors such as personality, age, hobbies, having children or not, being married or not, etc etc.
Thank you Jean. 100% true from my side too!
Welcome Aleksandar.
Thank you for articulating my feelings about leaving Malta so well! Greetings from Denmark.
You’re welcome Claire.
Fair to say that I relate to what you wrote but still blow hot and cold! My guess is that you moved without kids and at a relatively young age which makes it a lot easier! Without appearing to be defensive about Malta I feel that both your perspective and priorities change as you get older and maybe raising a family were there are a good number of plus points we take for granted! cheers.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Malta is becoming one big city, not to mention the suffocating climate! My husband and 3 young children are seriously considering on moving to Ireland! The only thing that is giving me second thoughts is leaving my family….. But for the sake of my kids, I think it’s the best choice…..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Liliana. The good thing is that flights from Ireland are quite decently priced, so you’re never really that far away.
For the sake of your children, it is the best choice
Jean well written and many valid points and shared feelings. I can’t stand the bad roads, I can’t stand the ignorance which is also reflected in politics etc. I sometimes feel like moving out of Malta for all the same reasons but let me say what keeps me here despite a its shortcomings. The fact that family is all close by and 2 mins away in any direction. This in turn gives you much more in life than just fresh air or interesting conversations. It allows you to really get to enjoy your parents , siblings, nephews and nieces and gives your son a true grandmother or father who he knows and cherishes. I would say that is the number one thing keeping me here. The gaming industry won’t move out so quickly…. the Swedes love it here despite its shortcomings. It’s well connected to Europe it’s just 4 hours flight away from their home and the weather is truly great for them. Plus it’s all in English. Is Spain we’re to catch up on English then there might be a problem
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Keith. Spain is on the way up but English remains a problem.
I enjoyed reading it and can completely understand where you’re coming from with those feelings. Thanks for writing it, I still plan on cruising through Malta as a digital nomad as you’ve suggested many times 🙂
You’re welcome Jon, I did suggest that and still do recommend it as a digital nomad destination, I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Malta.
Hi Jean, although you put the light on the dark spots of Malta, it seems like people are blindfolded. I found my equilibrium and a sort of comfort zone in here, but it is time to make a move. The asphyctic environment created during the last years is the main reason I will leave the island. It is a matter of attitude, as the river of unexpected money that made Malta a sort of paradise, is getting dry and what will maltese people are learning from it? The same old, sorry for mispelling it, “Uh ejja” way of life. I am italian and a very social person, I led several important project here, but sometimes I felt like I was really not appreciated, because of envy, because innovation is not easy to be understood, because “but we always did like this”, because i am one of the “barrani”, so that I ended up being back-stabbed in more than one occasions. This way of approaching cultural contributions from foreigners is lethal to the quality of the environment in Malta. Last words I recently listened from a local perit were “We do quality things, not like in Italy”. I was laughing at it just thinking about what I was seeing on site during these last years and about who did big projects in Malta like Renzo Piano, just to mention one. After my experince, in my own personal ranking, I would put Malta at the second place after USA as the most discriminating country. Staying away from your hometown will be the best choice you could pick.Good luck and thanks for honestly sharing your thoughts. It is a pity that Malta got spoiled and exploited like this. I was liking it a lot sometimes in the past. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your experience Fabio.
If you were to think about it , most of our cultural gems are imported from elsewhere or were done under by maltese labourers under foreign supervision.Is there anything good the Maltese can proudly say is our sole achievement?
Sometimes i wish Government , public service , police , the army and the law courts were staffed solely by competent strict western individuals.Maltese individuals staffing these organisations are too easily inclined to give in when pressured by local thugs , political party loyalties , familial connections and a number of other local maladies.
Perfectly put Jean. I moved to Prague nearly 18 years ago, I visit Malta a couple of times a year to visit friends and family (very enjoyable of course) but I always feel a sense of relief when I’m in the departure lounge waiting to leave 🙂 Trevor
Thanks for sharing your experience Trevor.
Jean,
I cannot agree with you more!
I left Malta 19 years ago and I always have that thought that I will return but when I think about what I have to deal with, I always cave and say to myself if it is worth it at all. I found comfort in going to Malta for the summer, enjoying myself and return to what i nowadays call home away from home
Thanks for sharing Donny, I can relate to that. Where have you moved to?
My family moved to the US. Nowadays we live in Chicago.
We need to get some balance from the other side so here is “Why I came to Malta” – and why I intend to stay.
Jean, your article was very good and I’m sure echoed the feelings of many. However, as this is primarily *your view* on things it is bound to be biased and I accept that. I’ve been coming to Malta on and off for about 20 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes on the island and you are of course correct about standards and the incessant development going on. That, I think we ALL agree on. It should be curtailed before the developers ruin everything and screw up everything that is traditionally “Maltese”.
Import of cars is another issue. I read somewhere that 57 cars are introduced to Malta every DAY. If that is indeed true then just doing some simple maths will show that very soon we will have an impossible situation (maybe we are already there!). Import of vehicles needs to be stopped immediately with a caveat that if you need a car, you have to surrender your old one so that at least getting another doesn’t add to the situation as it presently is.
Politics here are crazy and as a foreigner (from London, UK) some of the decisions taken here don’t make a lot of sense. Many Maltese seem to hate the status quo but many seem to think it’s ok as it is. I don’t get it but as I’m outside the voting system I have to put up with it.
I’ve been living here for almost 3 years now and I have to say that on the whole, none of the negative issues mentioned in your article (or any other contribution here) bother me at all. So why is this?
I lived all my life in the UK. When I was a kid all was well. The country was safe. Where I lived wasn’t over developed and that too was safe. As kids, we could go “out” all day and no-one ever wondered where we were or gave any thought as to IF we would come home or not in the evening. Terrorism of course changed things many years later as did awareness via the media of so-called “dangerous” people.
“Back then” was also before the time of everything being “Politically Correct” so you felt free to live your life. Now, times have moved on and of course it’s nothing like that… Now, frankly, it’s a bloody mess.
In the UK now, everywhere you go your every move is caught on camera. There are so many rules – don’t do this, don’t do that. Oh my GOD! You can’t SAY that! People sue each other in frantic attempts to make money. Lawyers set up firms to help people sue councils, businesses, individuals – even the government. It’s all about money of course. Remedies and cures that used to work for minor ailments are taken off shelves because one person somewhere found that it wasn’t compatible with them and sued the manufacturer. Parents are not allowed to be responsible for their own kids any more due to government regulations. Hell, you can’t even take your child out of school any more to take them on holiday without incurring a fine. Teachers are no longer able to discipline children at all.
All I can say is: “The UK can go to hell if that’s the way they want to treat their citizens!”
I left – had enough. Fed up with the Police fleecing the public with so-called “minor road traffic offences”. Fined for parking where there were NO yellow lines – arguing the toss with the local council bullies only to be told that if I didn’t pay up they would send in the bailiffs – and the fine had gone from £60 to almost £450 as it kept on increasing every day there was a delay. No recourse to court apparently as this was a “civil” matter. No choice as usual. Just pay up. Fined for being 3 mph over the speed limit. A friend of mine was fined for having his car tax disc displayed 4 inches higher than it should be. Local councils continually adding charges for the tiniest local services, and, of course raising those charges year after year. It’s incredibly expensive to live in the UK now just to keep up with all the local bullshit and keep the authorities’ coffers full. Anything to make a buck. You want to buy a nut and bolt? Sure, but you have to buy a box of 50. What??
There should be freedom of speech – but there isn’t. You have to be so careful now about what you say that it’s not worth voicing a view on anything for fear of being charged by the Police – or sued, or worse, plastered all over the media! The EU made trading even worse by favouring large businesses and squashing small ones (yes, really) – and then brought in even more rules and regulations to ensure that the surviving small businesses can’t compete. The public have no choice but to put up with it. Things are getting worse by the day and the next generation of parents will be irrepairably damaged by all this crap.
THIS IS NO WAY TO LIVE.
So, Malta… Yes, things certainly are a bit haphazard. You do have to be careful as a foreigner not to be ripped off by some traders. There is a certain degree of what some people call “lawlessness” in the society but most of it *really isn’t serious*. – and before someone chimes in here… No, it’s NOT!
Most comments about this behaviour are from people that just love to complain about anything and everything and, ironically, are often foreigners! Yes, the drivers are a bit mad (however, look at Italy, they manage) – but you do get used to it. Some things are just downright crazy – funny too. Some things are incredibly frustrating – but that’s Malta! If you don’t like it, then don’t live here. It’s very simple. There are many others that DO like it. Go where you do like it and leave us to enjoy what we have.
The Maltese don’t realise it but here in Malta there is a large amount of *real freedom* and real friendliness between people. I never feel that I have to look over my shoulder here and always feel safe. The authorities here, in general leave the people alone to get on with their lives. That’s rare today. There are not many countries in the world now where you can say that. However, when you need them they are there and do a good job. I know this from first-hand experiences.
I have acquired more friends here than I ever did in the UK. All are from different nationalities (AND different religions) and all are very friendly, well-adjusted and a pleasure to be with. All the Maltese I know personally are the same. Great people with great spirit. Sure, they don’t mince words. They tell you as it is – but that’s refreshing after being in the UK. I’m not a religious person but I really hope, for the sake of the locals, that Malta stays Catholic and retains its identity including all the “quirkiness” that comes with it. The EU will try to strip this identity away but it needs to be retained by any method possible. It’s part of what Malta is.
We’re about 15 years behind the times with many things but those times are changing and we’re getting there as there are many opportunities for those inclined to help move it all forward. I hope that everything continues to improve positively for the island and I can look forward to many years living on this incredible jewel in the Mediterranean.
Malta – some people hate it – and some love it dearly. I am firmly in the latter category.
Hey Gareth, thanks for sharing your views, appreciate that.
Your comment reads like a “Why I left the UK” post more than a “Why I love Malta” post. I can sense the same level of frustration with things that led me to take the decision to leave my home country.
On the other hand, and given your frustrations with the UK, I am not surprised that you have been liking Malta so far. As I noted in my post, I believe it is easier to come to live in Malta and enjoy it as a foreigner, than if you were born and bred there. As a Maltese person with knowledge of the language, I am exposed to much more than a non-Maltese speaking person would. You don’t mention whether you learnt the language or not, so apologies if you did. Even so, a Maltese native would still probably pick up more things than a foreigner would.
Secondly, as a Maltese person I have much more at stake. I have friends and family in Malta and strong social ties. That means that by default I care more about the state and future of Malta. That is also why I am more bothered about certain things than a foreigner would.
I have spent time living in several countries; some of them had problems that are several degrees more serious than those of Malta. However I wasn’t really bothered that much. You bask in the novelty, enjoy a different lifestyle, get to enjoy the local dishes, make new friends, it’s all very exciting. At the end of the day, if things take a turn for the worse, you just pack your bags and go back to your home country or to another country.
To conclude, I agree with most of the positive things that you mention about Malta. I’ve written about the things I like about Malta before so I don’t want to give the wrong impression. There are some very good things about Malta, and as a foreigner I think you’re in a position to appreciate them even more than those of us who grew up there.
Perhaps three years is not enough to really understand the problems of Malta and have them start to affect you in a stronger way, but I can’t say that for sure. In any case, best of luck with living in Malta, I truly hope you make the most of your time there.
P.S. The part where you describe the issues with the UK just goes to show than anyone can have perfectly legitimate reasons for leaving his country and it’s not a question of whether everything is bad or everything is good. Plenty of people dream of living in the UK (including many Maltese) yet you felt frustrated enough to leave and make your life elsewhere. At the end of the day, it’s a personal decision we have to take.
Hi Jean, I relocated to Malta beginning of 2012 and left last year in June 2016. I have still bonds with your country (have very close friends, and my girl friend is Maltese so)
How impressive is your text, you are really describing what I was feeling and the process which made me leaving. I guess as Maltese, it takes lot of courage to write that down and it gives lot of weight to your words.
All my respects.
Olivier C.
Thanks Olivier, hope you enjoyed your four years in Malta. It was a difficult post to write indeed but I’m glad I did it.
Hello Jean.
I read your magnificent ‘Why I left Malta’ article as every word struck a note!. Allow me to tell u that I cannot agree with you more. I felt exactly the same during the prime of my youth back in 89, when during one of my frustrated moments I decided to book a one way ticket to the UK. At 21, I was buzzing with energy, hungry for adventure and longing for that little spark to ignite the flame for wisdom, knowledge and life to help me grow and broaden my horizons. I felt (and still feel it now 25 years later) claustrophobic where everybody was more interested in your affairs than their own and where the 8 o’clock news was always the same topics repeated day after day. Had it not been for that spontaneous moment, I think I would have ended my life a long time ago. Having said this, I don’t think the Maltese have achieved much as I feel they have become worse, with politics, religion, hate, racism still at the helm. They seem to have lost those values you mentioned that made them unique. Most of the time I wish I was a foreigner only to be treated in the same manner you pointed out as they seem to get all the attention one desires in a cosmopolitan environment.
Were you suffering all this in silence??!! I remember you were not one to talk much about your feelings but somehow you managed to get your points across, thanks to social media. Unlike you, I’m open, talkative and straight to the point. I never bottle up my feelings for long, and when I express any views, I am unpopular, but I’ve learnt to live with it. Unfortunately, the Maltese are not realistic. they have a tendency of believing the opposite to what is actually happening and not accepting the reality. They create an illusion that suits them best…. only to be surprised some time later. But prove otherwise, and you’re ‘negative’, ‘pessimistic’ and every other adjective under the sun!
Indeed things seem to have gone from bad to worse, construction gurus grabbing every piece of land to make money, wreck less driving, prejudice, corrupt politicians (from both sides), etc etc etc, you named it!
In my professional life I am constantly battling against obstacles that people themselves create. It is innate in Maltese DNA to avoid spending money. They want the best (always) and expect to get a good price. They are happy to buy gadgets advertised in TV for which they have no use for it 60 days later than spend it on something that will stay with them forever.
Incidentally, I also know people who felt the same and then decided to leave for exactly the same reasons you pointed out.
The bureaucracies in this country are probably the highest as your only chance of advancing is only through people you know.
And yes, we are surrounded by idiots and ill-mannered people and we cannot avoid them unfortunately. If you had to compare a Maltese hamallu to foreign hamallu, chances are, the foreign hamallu will present himself and behaves much better compared to the Maltese hamallu. They never seem to learn, regardless of how much they travel and socialise.
I wish you all the best. Good luck.
Thanks for sharing your experience Cedric. It looks like the seeds of today’s issues were sowed long ago, and unless there is a drastic change of course things keep getting worse.
Anytime I will say something that is 100 times lighter than this about how reality in Malta is, lots of people are throwing stones on me like I’ve said the the worst thing in the universe. The sad truth is that lots of people believe in that propaganda, move to Malta with bag full with hope for better life, but at the end, either they end up as part of that frustration, or leave the rock with big disappointment and question: how does this piece of **** become part of Europe, and some much more civilized countries can not ?
Thanks for sharing your experience Eva, unfortunately intolerance to criticism is a common trait in Malta, especially when one speaks about these issues.
I am not saying it’s the worst, for sure there are places on Earth that at far more worst than Malta, but the problem on that island is that they are def for listening (negative) critics and think that they are the best in everything. You can not be liked by all, if that’s the case, something is wrong… If you think you know everything, that you are the best in everything, there is noone else better than you and you are not open for critics how to get better, then you will never improve yourself. in short, if you think you know everything you will never learn anything.
But as they say, ego = 1/knowledge and for sure, national ego in Malta is on a very high level 🙂
This is sad. This article and blog have become a nag. Luckily some who responded are more positive thinkers …. they acknowledge the bad ( who does not know the bad – we hear it everyday in our streets – whats new about it?) but these respondents also balance it out by seeing the beauty and uniqueness of the island. One of the respondents above put it right…. he echoes what J.F Kennedy stated ” do not say what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” enough said. Further if one keeps highlighting the negative…. you get more of the negative….. if one lightlights the positive…. you get people loving what we have and you would instill a sense of national pride which would encourage a culture where one would want to sustain what is positive and right.
Unfortunately I think you missed the whole point of this article Odette. I only shared the reasons why I decided to leave Malta, and didn’t try to write an expose of all that is good and bad about Malta.
I’ve written about the good things in Malta previously, and I could also list many other bad things about Malta, as some other commenters have done. What I spoke about in my post is just want led me to take the decision to leave, nothing more nothing less.
Yourself calling this blog post and the blog “a nag” is a perfect example of one symptoms I speak about in the post. Why disparage someone’s thoughts and work just because they don’t sound good to you? You prefer to focus on the positive sides while the issues fester unchecked and talented people continue to suffer or leave. I and many others prefer to face the facts and speak candidly about issues that are quickly ruining our country.
Like I said in my response… What you wrote about is nothing new and has been vocalised many times before. What worries me is that negativity breeds negativity. I denounce the bad but I do not accentuate it. That is the point I want to make. I believe that positivity breeds positivity… law of attraction……
I have to say it’s a well written article and there’s nothing more that can add to it. I feel constantly irritated by this Maltese culture “uwijja mhux xorta” and believe me when I say so it’s literally a pain in the ass which really gets my nerves.
At the moment I am finishing my last year in school and I am thinking of moving. Every single day that passes,the more I get motivated to leave this bloody rock because personally I don’t see a future, let alone if one day I have a family.
So, Jean what I wish to ask you is this. What made you orchestrate a move from Malta?
At the moment I am thinking of trying my luck, most probably in Scotland but to be honest I’m quite scared as you know very well we Maltese are very attached to our families and I do not wish to do a U-turn.
Hi there, first of all I encourage you to draw up a list of pros and cons with regards to any move, and if there are more pros just go ahead and do it. Worrying about a possible U-turn is ingrained into the typical Maltese mentality, because we are trained to believe that we can never or should never fail. Failure is shameful and everyone will point their fingers at us. That is the mentality that prevents from people thinking out of the box and acting the way their gut tells them to. So my message is don’t be afraid, if you need to do a U-turn so be it, let anyone point their fingers if they wish to do so. You’ll be the one who will be proud of yourself for following your dreams.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy
Going back to your question, can you kindly explain what you meant exactly? My post details what made me orchestrate a move from Malta. I suspect that you meant to ask how I did it? If so, can you specify exactly what worries you about making a move?
The only reason why is Malta great is due to the fact it’s quite safe when it comes to terrorism.
You have answered my question whilst made me realise the negative influences that this culture gave me, pessimism.
I have to agree if sometimes you fail in something here, instead of giving you a hand perhaps they will most probably look down onto you.
Thanks alot Jean ☺
I agree with you Jean, you gave a realistic picture of the frustration that we can all feel here, it is just a matter on common sense to me to feel that. Personnaly I have a very strong motivation to be in Gozo, I did more than 60 times the travel in 6 years between France and Malta. I saw many people who don’t want to come anymore to Malta, close friends and even family. However we still enjoy the archipelago as it is but for how long?
Hi François, Gozo is a very nice place and I can understand why you feel that kind of attraction to it. As you say, how long will the good things last?
I have only been here for a few months and I can already say that I agree with you, which is sad.
Thanks for commenting Daniel.
Thank you for the article, Jean. I haven’t lived in Malta, but visited very often, sometimes for months at a time, in the early 70’s. My family lived in Tripoli, and Malta was the nearest place that had the comforts of modern civilization. I fell in love with the country then, but haven’t been back since. In fact, I’ve been afraid to, for fear of finding exactly what you have described. Better to have the idyllic picture of what it once was.
You’re welcome Bob. It has certainly changed a lot from the early 70s, although I wasn’t around yet back then.
Hi Jean!
Thank u for sharing ur thoughts and opinion. 🙂 Me as a foreigner living in Malta totally agree with u and understand ur decision. Malta is a lovely country and there are lots of things to enjoy here and I guess foreigners are usually attracted by the nice sunny weather, sea and beaches, but on the other hand some things are quite frustrating. I have been living here for 5 yrs, but now I definitely feel that my time in Malta will come to an end in the near future, especially after spending 3 months in New Zealand not so long ago, so I experienced something there that kinda keeps pushing me away from here. 🙂 Wishing u all the best and take care of urself! 🙂
Ramona
Hi Ramona, thanks for sharing your experience. You hit on an important point that is worth highlighting. Many of those who think that the problems in Malta can be found anywhere else (or that indeed they are just petty problems) have never really lived anywhere else.
Having the experience of living somewhere else (even if it’s just 3 months) can really change your perspective of things. In my case it was that one year living in the UK to pursue my studies that really highlighted some of the problems that there are in Malta. Due to that reason, I can completely understand what you’re feeling now.
Very true Jean but I disagree that foreigners are welcomed – far from it. They’re often used as cash cows and exploited to make quick money from, which creates an “us and them”, as well as being what drives prices up for everyone – opportunism and, sadly, greed. I think the take what we can now and think about the consequences later is infuriating. We could make this a more sustainable balance and improve our university and education all round if we thought about it. The frustrations are real, your points are correct and we don’t make the most of what we have. Very short-sighted…
The jury’s out on that one; it’s hard to take a definite stand. I think foreigners can be more insulated from the problems I describe, until they decide to make Malta their home and have to actually face those frustrations. At that point it might very well be the case that their lack of local contacts and their not speaking Maltese might result in an even worse experience.
Excellent article Jean = and I completely concur with all your thoughts = we lived there from 2008 to 2014 and feel exactly the same about it all – we did leave for a better place for us, we have no regrets about our stay, our experiences there nor the friends we made there (of all nationalities) but unlike your goodself we will never return and have no plans to do so. I feel like you that the first 203 years of love there tends to be a sort of honeymoon period and life is wonderful then the cracks are found in the idyllic romantic notions that you once had and the seed to leave is then sown to develop into a plan to leave asap
I do find it so sad that the once beautiful islands have almost gone along with all its charm…. its even sadder the fact this “progress” cannot be replaced or re-invented.
Hi David, I agree, the biggest pain comes from knowing that certain things like the ruining of Malta’s nature cannot be undone.
am just pleased am away from the place Jean it is indeed frustrating and ever so demanding of time and energy…. i mean no disrespect to the people of malta but the islandm,its red tape and the total lack of desore to change for the better leaves a lot to be desired . made all the clearer once you’ve tasted another place to live other than your homeland
Thanks for your comment David.
I guess one more reason to leave is the fact that all of the shops and businesses are closed between 12 to 4 sometimes 5 pm. It’s weird to go around island which seems dead at these hours. You’re basically looking at closed doors and windows. Ghost island.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are many other things one could mention. This is one of them. It wasn’t a decisive factor for me but could very well be so for others.
Someone once told me that being a foreigner in Malta can only boost your ego because of the general low education level and amateurism prevailing on the island.
That article is so right and down the point, thank God it was written by a Maltese or it would have attracted such comments as “go home where you came from” “we are the best”….
As disturbing as that is, I would have to agree Marie. I think this culture discourages the achievement of excellence. If all around us we see amateurish behaviour, it’s more likely that we’ll end up behaving in a similar way, or at the very least not doing as well as we would if everyone around us was better than us and hence inspires us to become better ourselves.
With regard to the second part of your comment, several other foreigners/expats have mentioned that before. Of course, us Maltese who dare speak the truth about things will get other comments, equally bad, such as “how ungrateful are you?”, “how dare you speak like that of your country?” and the classic “now that he/she lives abroad, he/she is coming to preach to us…”.
This gave me an eerie feeling- as if my own very thoughts had been channeled into an article. Very well done.
I would like to ask for any general advice that you might offer as I myself plan to migrate to Canada once I finish my degree. I plan to gain some experience here in Malta while the application process is underway and hopefully escape once it’s done.
Any general advice/heads-up or personal experiences that I should look out to would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Thanks Marco. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration when planning a move. How easy or difficult it is will depend on your personal situation, just like which country you choose is a personal decision. If at all possible, and given the fact that Canada is pretty far, I would recommend spending 2-6 months there to see how you feel about being so far from Malta and Europe in general. Every country has its plusses and minuses, and settling anywhere is a tough time to go through since there’s the paperwork to deal with, apartment hunting, job search etc. On the plus side, given that you’re still quite young I think it will be easier for you to build a new life in a new country. It will definitely be a challenge but with a positive attitude and it being a well-researched decision you will make it happen. In the worst case scenario that the move doesn’t work out, keep in mind that nothing is lost, you can always go back or try your luck in another country, the world is a big place with lots of opportunities for those ready to take them.
Thanks for the advice Jean, greatly appreciated 🙂
You’re welcome Marco, good luck!
Hi Jean, not sure if you have already moved to Canada or not. What I can tell you though is from experience if you are into watching sports (hockey), the sort of house you have and not really interested in being outside (unless its the few months of permissible weather) then you will find it great. On the other hand if you have enough spare time to travel on the wide long open highways and you love that sort of thing then again its your type of country.
I personally would still avoid cities unless you are single. Building a network of job connections is hard anywhere you go so good luck to the future
John
Hi John, I’ve never been to Canada nor considered moving there, however it is on my list of places to check out. I’ve only heard good things so far.
Sorry I meant to answer Marco. Yes on paper its great but there are a lot of problems that are hidden by its vast land and small population. For example believe it or not Canada has some of the most violent organised crime gangs. Jamaicans, Hells Angels, Italian and Russian mob. But it is numerically very difficult to experience this directly. But happen it does. I hear now some towns that were very safe have become breeding grounds for drug dealers which would have been inconceivable in the past. That’s because the country is so large that economic downturns occur out of cycle between the industrial east and oil rich west. So living there depends immensely on what you are looking for and your location. So if you are happy with huge tracts of very cheap land, whole forests even but don’t want to deal with any humans for weeks on end then there are lots of opportunities for you. This remoteness and the frequent passage of immigrants all with their own agendas creates a detached approach on what one would consider as human interaction. Laws and regulations are absolute which is great to make different cultures cooperate but tend to stifle in my personal opinion artistic creativity. However scientifically it attracts a lot of corporate funds so R&D gets a boost.
Also again due to the immense size of the country political confrontation is practically non existent since the federal government is just too remote in Ottawa for your typical individual while the provincial and within cities mayoral elections have more direct impact. This creates a bit of confusion. Its also not by design but historical accident since the federal pact gave provinces inadvertently more power on roads, education and healthcare.
Lets say that for me living there was a mixed bag but most of all its mind numbing boring. There are states of the US that are way better like California specifically Los Angeles which I was quite happy with.
My first experience on the island was one of corruption and inequality. When I first moved here from the UK (although I am Canadian) I went to transport Malta with a fellow Canadian (with Maltese origins) to change our Drivers Licence to a Maltese license. We found out upon arrival that a Canadian license was not valid in Malta but as it was a election year they asked my friend how he was voting and quickly changed his DL over to a Maltese one, no questions asked. Myself being next in line after him (as he stood beside me) was there to do the same thing but as I was no use to them I was refused and they said that as we (Canadians) drive on the right I would have to take the driving test again. I politely asked ‘Are other Europeans countries eligible to change their license to a Maltese one?” … Yes said the man at the desk … Well they drive on the right I replied and also you have just changed my friends license from a Canadian one and how come the rules are different for me? … Needless to say I was escorted out and told that if I complain the police would be called and I would be arrested so it is better that I just leave and never come back.
Well that was 7 years ago and I am still here because of the laid back lifestyle which i do enjoy. However as mentioned I have seen a huge transformation, ridiculous rental increases and the ever expanding concrete jungle with total disregard for the law and the environment and in fact I believe the only green they see here is money!!
Anyway I have decided and have made a packed with my friends that if Manoel Island is flattened and turned into yet another development (as per the pending proposal) I am out of here, but if compassion and respect for the natural beauty and history of the island stays in tact and is preserved and turned into protected green space and perhaps even a historical natural park I would stay.
If history proceeds itself however it looks like I will be leaving but at least it will be before Malta becomes the lifeless European Dubai!
Very very true, Gary – and the Government the latest 4 1/2 years hasn’t improved anything.
You are so f***ng true my friend!
There are a lot of ppl that thinks like you, maltese and foreigners believe me.
All the best!
Thanks for commeing Erion.
I lived in Malta for almost 5 years started a business but was forced to leave due to a road traffic accident involving a drunk driver. The thing that struck me was the corruption and blatant disregard by the Maltese for doing things the right way, where as I gained qualifications in Britain for rock climbing then opened a climbing shop, and and also took clients climbing, I had problems with the Maltese thinking they could just muscle in once they seen I was doing well. They had no qualifications whatsoever but because there was no one to oversee or enforce European rules. ifact I was told that the rules didn’t apply because there was no governing body to enforce them so they could do as they please!! Which to me was just wrong. I did meet some nice people and friends. but I really hate the island with a passion now and I’m pleased that I left. To me it just to corrupt!!
Sad story Dino, thanks for sharing.
I recently moved to Malta, sound like you just described my country where I came from. It is true what you wrote, but this country was the best choise for now. I had to leave my country and I have no other place to go. Im in a mixed marriage, and only here I could apply for my husband’s work permit. I came from a green country, I miss woods, grass, treas, animals….but for now I need to close my eyse and do my best to try to live here…
Good luck Teodora, and thanks for commenting.
Jean,
Very good article indeed. I can agree with all you said but there are not the only issues. As a non-EU foreigner (at that time) in my 7years living there I met some much racism and ignorance like no other. The famous University of Malta is not better – the attitude of the lecturers and the secretaries were disgrace and I am was never ok with the saying “Well….it is in their culture” because some many things are common sense. I grew tired of the cheating, lying, laziness and the incompetence I met there. It seemed like nobody cared about the traffic signs and if you are with the motorbike or regular bike you better think twice before you decide if the taxi driver will follow them or not. Now, 9 years after I left I do not miss it at all. May be I`ll go for holidays one day but it seems like every year I think about it, I decide to leave it for the next one.
Thanks for commenting Martin. There really is no excuse for all the things you mentioned.
Hello Jean and thank you for pointing out so correctly some of the main issues that led to my decision to leave the country ( leaving this Friday).
Malta was the first country I moved to after many years of hesitation and reluctance to leave my friends and family behind in order to find a better life. Malta seemed beautiful and exotic, spoke English as an official language and offered plenty of work in the catering industry, which I had a lot of experience with.
Leaving the airport was a dream come true! Sun, palm trees, tourists, nice clean pavement and well ( seemingly) organised public transport. I felt like my heart would burst out from joy, I felt like I came to a spot which had combined the perks of an advanced western society with the exotic feeling of the Mediterranean.
****************
Six months later I was laying in my small, half-empty room the size of an average closet, swimming in my own sweat and wondering if I can somehow manage to supercharge the sorry little ventilator on my ceiling, since the heat was unimaginable. Had not slept properly for a week since I had a few terrible 14 hour shifts in a local tourist hotspot in Qawra, and by the time i sent home i was buzzing with the caffeine I had to invest to keep me going. The neighbours above my flat were quite vocal, practically shouting at each other for every single thing, from taking out the trash, to scolding their children, to arguing about their financial issues. I believe it was a mixed maltese-british marriage, since a famous pop singer ( guess who) got mentioned a lot.
That sleep deprivation went to a point in which I was now 10kg lighter and had deep dark circles under my eyes. Often I got stopped by tourists (students) asking me where can they buy something fun to smoke. Guess i gave that impression now?
Working in catering showed me by far the worst side of the locals: arrogance and patronising behaviour towards anyone who did not speak Maltese, on two occasions I was openly confronted in front of my colleagues with honest aggressive racism, and to sentences of the sort : “This IS not your fu***ng country, this is (dramatic pause) MALTA” or ” They should fire you immediately since you do not speak Maltese!…”
I do not wish to speak only negatively of this country, I met a lot of amazing individuals here, highly skilled professionals and young girls and boys with HUGE potential. We are still friends and we will keep in touch. Even they admit that there are a lot of issues here, but are simply shy or plain afraid of voicing their opinions since that might cause them trouble with their families, neighbours and even …the church. (?!)
I will not get into the whole religious situation here, since i have been confronted on the subject before and was coldly told to drop it and keep my opinions to myself. My opinion is that for the first time I see a nation influenced by the church to such extents, sometimes bordering fanaticism, which is not something I would have expected to see in a developed western country. I will not mention the feasts, another user made quite a correct comment on how pointless, expensive and frustrating they are.
As far as the political situation goes, I am happy to admit that i have made every attempt to isolate myself of politics in order to keep myself unbiased by public opinions. That isolation was brutally shattered during this year’s elections. That was …. a once in a lifetime experience. I presume this is what must have been like when World War two ended? People went out on the streets and partied for a week? I come from a corrupt country myself, when elections turn into a media war and public events are sponsored by the contested parties in order to attract more votes, but I had never witnessed anything of this calibre, every cafe, corner shop and car was it’s own island of alcohol, club music and screams, party flags were literally everywhere, there was a (No joke) procession of an old truck that had the portrait of their candidate, lavished on flowers, on top of the truck’s trailer, and it was followed by garbage/construction trucks filled to the brim with drunk youngsters waving banners and obviously enjoying their free beers and pastizzi. Next to the column of madness was a small car, from which a woman was waving and even enticing the kids the jump and yell louder. Then for the first time i felt trapped. There was no peace. No quiet. The island was on fire, me and my girlfriend walked to marsaskala and say for hours on the beach rocks, waiting for the madness to end so we can sleep at least 4 hours before our next shift. It did not end, for a whole week we had cars honking every 3 minutes, doing circles in the neighbourhood with the flags waving from their windows. I believe that has to be put down as a new type of Chinese torture, I’m sure it’s authors would approve.
That was indeed the final straw.
I apologise for the lengthy post, I never had the opportunity to voice my frustrations since the overall feeling is “well if you don’t like it, leave, we are perfect and unique and we won’t change for anyone, especially YOU!”.
Don’t change for me. Change for you and your children. They deserve it, and they are smarter than you know.
Thank you and goodbye. And good luck!
Pavel, thanks for sharing your experience, I think it’s clear to everyone that you did go through a very challenging experience in Malta. You mention a lot of truths: workplace practices, religious fanaticism, political fanaticism. All true, I don’t think anyone can disagree really…
Totally agree. I’m a Brit and I moved to Malta in Feb ’15 and my (now) Russian wife moved in June ’15. We even married in Malta in Sept ’15 after I proposed to her during her first holiday here in July ’14. I moved because I was fed up with the rain and lack of sunshine in Manchester, England but 2 and a half years on and despite Brexit we are now about to start planning our own “Mexit” and – if we really feel it’s right – maybe move back to Manchester. But why?
For the reasons you gave and a few more, like:
The construction quality of new builds and most places built in the past few decades in Malta is just shocking. There’s simply no quality and things that just would not be left or done in such a sloppy way in the UK are the norm here. Plastering is cheaply and badly done, tiling, electrics, gas pipes (oh yeah, wonderful at our rented place… a boiler in a small outdoor service/storage room with a switch and just close to it, the gas bottle for the cooker – you simply could not do that in the UK it would be an explosion risk, but here, no one knows and no one cares about safety). But my favorite example of this being the cooker hood extractors with chimneys. In the UK they are ALL correctly fitted with ducting to the outside to expel the waste air. But in Malta, oh no, that would be too much like hard work so instead they just install the cooker hood and never fit any ducting pipes so it just pumps the air back out the top into the room. I explained to my landlord this is wrong and not how they are supposed to work, she just shrugged said “mela” and told me no, it’s correct, it is “extracting” it’s extracting the air from the hob level and moving it out of the way to near the ceiling, what’s wrong with that?
Electric water heaters. You Maltese are obsessed with these bloody things despite them being the most expensive way to heat hot water. Worst still, instead of fitting one large one and running pipes to everywhere in a property it needs to serve, you fit 2 or 3 smaller ones closer to where they are needed. This costs more to install, to maintain and of course, to run long term. But hey, it’s just easier and the builders get to go off for a beer and pastizzi earlier, so everyone is supposed to be happy!
Getting anything fixed in Malta is a trial. And it’s worse if you’re foreign. The aircon in my car packed up during the July heatwave. I went to a specialist who replaced a valve and regassed the system. 2 days of it working perfectly it stopped again, all gas leaked out. I was told to bring it back 4 days later when they would look at it properly. I did, but they did not. I was told that despite “booking me in” for that day, they were too busy as other Maltese customers kept coming by and demanding their car be fixed also. I asked why I couldn’t just come by and demand the same, wave my arms around and shout like a Maltese and get mine fixed ahead of “booked in” customers also. I was told no, I can’t I’m not Maltese and I don’t have a load of friends and family here I could badmouth the company too if they didn’t fix my car there and then so I’m effectively less important to keep happy.
The cost of property: we were looking to buy a place here but with our budget of 120k there are now only scruffy shoeboxes left in not great areas with traffic jams and screaming, shouting, angry types living next door in the main. When you realise that you can buy a 3 bed town house in an acceptable (but not amazing) part of Manchester for that same money, you think “really, why am bothering at all?”.
And we have thought just that and reached a sad conclusion: there’s no point bothering at all, why spend the next 20 years of my life paying a mortgage on property that is going to every day remind me of how much of a crap hole Malta has been turned into by greed and over development?
Supermarket food: It is simply way more expensive than in the UK for a basket of exactly the same goods. For example, I’ve just this minute tried costing a basket of 10 items in PAVI with the exact same items in TESCO in the UK. Totals were €46.85 and £24.94 respectively. Crazy and nonsensical, it simply cannot cost this much extra to import this stuff to Malta in bulk and sell it in stores, it just feels like someone is making a fortune out of the rest of us and because there’s little real competition we just have to accept it.
Speaking of which: Cost of simple painkillers etc, how is it that a packet of 16 ibuprofen costs nearly €3 here but £0.35p in the UK? I once asked a chemist here that question and at least was given an honest answer. Effectively it suits the chemists here to charge that much and they know that people need them, can’t get them anywhere else and so will still keep buying regardless. I asked why no chemist tries to undercut anyone to thus get more trade but again, I was told there’s no need as people will buy anyway and they don’t want to upset each other and spark a price war. So basically this is price fixing then, which, under EU laws is actually legal but hey this is Malta so it’s ok here!
We love Malta and the Maltese but after 2 years we’ve pretty much done and seen anything and everything of interest to us. There’s literally nowhere else to visit here unless we spend every weekend going over to Gozo and checking out the few remaining villages we’ve not been to yet (I think there are 2 or 3!).
Moving back to the UK is a logistical and legal nightmare for us but just now, it feels like the only sane choice to make a country which – let’s be honest – feels ever more insane each day…
Good luck all those of you who stay –
You’re gonna need it!
“which, under EU laws is actually legal but hey this is Malta so it’s ok here!”
This should of course have read “is actually illegal” but oops, I guess you all know what I mean, I’ve got that Maltese sloppiness now also haha! 😉
All the points you mentioned are true Andy, thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks Jean, There was one more reason I forgot to add and it’s a biggie. My wife has lived here 2 years but has been unable to find any work. She’s been told she should go and work in a supermarket like other Eastern Europeans (she’s a journalist and communications/pr professional) by many Maltese and that such roles are all she should ever expect to get here, the kind of work she’s looking for would never be given to an “Eastern European” because well paid jobs don’t go to them. She’s repeatedly bit her tongue with such people each time!
My husband and I lived in Malta for three years. We tell funny stories of the things that happened to us as we established a household and found jobs. Your comments made me remember all the frustrating things (we were shocked at the disregard of littering for example), but we wouldnt trade the experience for anything!
Thanks for commenting Wendie. Many of the idiosyncrasies of life in Malta can indeed be funny, unless you actually live there all your life. Then they quickly turn to major frustrations and annoyances.
Agree with you 100%, love Malta but don’t think I can live here any more. left for good 2001, been back a few times, still a building site, lots of improvements, be very nice when its finished….
Its a place that is based upon who you know and not what you know, which can work some times..
Too many Lawyers, Politics is a game played by Lawyers, as football is rubbish.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ray.
I agree 100/1° percent to what you have said about our madness and spoiled country by so many stupid mentality that both political parties have bring to many generations before and in coming times, and this what im going to do also because of many bad perspectives that this country have, good luck with your move and wish many more people will have the will to do the same especially the young generation and I say to all that there is no future here in Malta go abroad and you’ll see the huge differences .
Thanks for sharing your feelings Raphael.
Prosit – it was cathartic to read your blog and some of the comments.
Thanks Etienne, glad it was useful to you.
Lived In OZ for 7 years, I know the feeling and I agree with you,
We have a such of jam. Don’t know why is so difficult to get it right.
Things are getting worst by time . In here there is a big lack of thinking and planning before we do things . Then when the shit hit the fan ,I m all right fuck you jack. Best man win (Exucuse my French ). Ex. bugibba karnival ok no probs, but there was little planning and logistics leaving drivers frustrated and angry because roads closed everybody stuck kaos .
Now as mentality the answer is “u imma mhux kollox irrid ikun Ta darba f sena!” Fuck no, not even the taught of something like this when it’s gonna create panic and kaos and stress on the locals and danger in the streets everybody driving like nut cases, not mentioning the business as for me I do t go to bugibba in that Kaos ..
Another thing that hurts me is as you fly you see just a big solid rock over malta then when look over Italy on words is just green everywhere.
So why the hell we do things if can’t do them right, don’t do them or get a team of pros from EU.
Another example Papaqali. Now it’s too late.
The comments on FB (on Lovin Malta’s article) are enough to prove your point. What I found claustrophobic as a kid growing up in Malta (cause foreigners do not experience this side of Malta) is the fake Christian mentality. Religion in Malta isn’t a personal tool to help us be better people, but rather a communal be-all and end-all. Allahares ma tmurx il-quddies il-Hadd imqaddes ghax tghidx kemm jghidu bik!!!
I am a proud Maltese citizen living in France; I wear the Maltese cross day in day out; I speak highly of Malta to all my clients and then, every 2-3 months I come “home” (I don’t really know where my home is to be honest cause I feel trapped between 2countries) and understand all the mumbo-jumbo and start doubting my entire existence… No one seems to get us. You made my day just by knowing I am not the only one!
I think you understood my feelings and the reason for writing this perfectly. Thanks for commenting.
Normal complaints from a native of a country to justify why he is leaving… if I wrote an article about why I left Colombia and I decide to move to Malta and why I don’t consider to go back you would find a similar article… so yep for an expat, I don’t think this is useful in my case Malta apart from their problems is being really good for me, that is not my final destination yet. However is where i live now and so far so good over the past 7 years… 😀 i do not deny says some things that are true, however, you tend to be reallllyyy tough with your native country at the time to criticise…
Hi Angela, I have no doubts that you could write a similar article about why you left your country. People who leave their home country normally have very good reasons to do so. I’m glad that you’ve been enjoying Malta so far.
You do say that it is not your final destination yet, and I think that is an important factor. I’ve lived in places which had serious problems, but I wasn’t that bothered or compelled to write about them because it wasn’t my country and I knew I would be leaving anyway.
Writing a post like this necessitates a feeling of hurt and indignation at the way one’s country is being driven to ruin by irresponsible people and certain aspects of the culture which do need to change but fail to do so.
This article represents what I have been feeling for a long time. I am trying to make that step and hopefully I’ll emulate Mr Galea in the near future.
Take care
Thanks for commenting Renzo.
Our culture is changing but only for the worse especially with all these foreigners coming here whose culture is much different from the western way of life so give ten years more and will change even more but only for the worse.
Hi, Thank you for this blog post. It was a relief to me as well to read it hence I thought I was the only one having this thoughts about Malta.
I have lived in Malta for almost 2 years and I left 2 years ago, going back to my home country Sweden. I did enjoy some parts of Malta but most of the time I was actually not happy at all living there. The people in general was not very welcoming, the landlord was a real asshole and dealing with authorities, banks and other service areas was a nightmare.
Living there, working there and paying tax and being a good citizen apparently was not appreciated by the locals at all. And in general the Maltese people are very rasist people with a narrow minded mindset. Of course I met some nice people there but most of the time not.
I feel sad for Malta and its people and the way things are there, I really hope they will realize at some point and do something about it.
Once again – I am happy I found this blog post and all other comments – I now see that I am not alone and it is not only in my head 😉
br,
/Carina
Thanks for sharing your experience Carina.
Hi Jean,
Wish I had the age and means to leave too.
My son has moved out of the island nearly two years ago & his company has promoted him 3 times during his first working year. He has also won the best worker due to his enthusiasm & dedication at work. No way such things can ever happen in Malta. I do not regret him leaving although for different reasons than yours, and surely he’ll have better opportunities & open mindedness away from here. Wish I could do the same!
Thanks for sharing that Marlene, and congratulations to your son on his achievements! I’m sure he will go on to greater things.
I got the link to your article through a friend that works at oxford university. this person left to continue his studies in science and as far as I am aware he is doing very well.
Kidding you not, I have read your article 4 times as it had a profound interlinking with thoughts that have been pestering me every morning for the last 7 years.
I grew up in 90s Malta… things were always challenging – at home ,with both parents working, financially, things were difficult. Both parents had respectable jobs – the reason that they never got promoted I only understand now.
The fact that I am thinking twice or three times to write this comment encapsulates the problem of having to be careful.. shutting your mouth at the face of things done wrong and the limited mental capacity for persons to understand constructive criticism …as mild as it may be.
I cannot get into the specifics of what I went through because It may prove damaging to my livelihood but I can assure you that some of the stories I have gone through as a professional merit newspaper articles. To all young people with even a mild sense of ambition;
DO YOURSELVES AND ALL YOUR FUTURE ACQUAINTANCES A FAVOR, DO NOT SETTLE IN MALTA.
Thanks for sharing.
Spot on! Maltese by birth, but have lived overseas for most of my life, like you I enjoy visiting every few years. I was there recently after an eight year absence and was shocked at how worse things have become. I cannot emphasise enough the word shocked. What I saw and experienced was so confronting that I decided to never visit again. The country has been “raped”, people have lost their soul, and I fear that it will soon enough all come to a “train wreck”
Can’t say I blame you. I’m doing the same thing myself for mostly the same reasons.
It is with a heavy heart that i admit that yes jean…everything you wrote is true. It has become one very fast rat race to “who fattens their wallet ” most. The sheer selfishness of maltese drivers ! Blocking “give way “yellow grids when they are themselves waiting at traffic lights! The dirt everywhere, the lack of discipline, the inefficient public transportation system, the deafening noise from business owners “in politicians pockets “! The ‘ rape ‘ of paceville and the surrounds by money hungry nightclub owners, who rendered this zone as no better than a red light district. Oh ! I could go on and on…the sad thing is our intelligent youth are all flocking to leave, brainy young people that could come up with a save the islands plan. An introduction of a small fee for rubbish collection would in turn purchase night road washer trucks. A call for ideas re the introduction of a fast ,efficient metro system would see the emvironment in turn improved. A disciplined hefty fine for littering, traffic contraventions , noise pollution etc…it is a crying shame the free for all, rats scurrying to their holes with what they can loot mentality malta has become. I hope it is not too late for the islands , we are loosing our children ! Wake up parents !
Any human being who is truly blessed will leave Malta immediately.
I have to admit, I know you literally for a total of a few minutes….but today I had to admit that I was agreeing with what you anticipatingly wrote a few months back. Not that I didn’t agree with the latter at the time – I was still adamant to admit all hope was lost…to the ships…still, I now figure out better why you left your island…but I understand better now, why I have to leave mine soon.
Thanks for sharing Alex, unfortunately things seem to be getting worse and worse.
WOW @ Jean- you have no idea ! Malta is like a golden egg – you should try some other countries out there.
Your complaints could be construed as rather petty – The pavements aren’t big enough…😂🤣 that takes the cake !!!
WOW wow “gobsmacked” – in the big scheme of things – REALLY!!!!!.
You should take a 6 week trip around Southern Africa and various eastern European countries, you might retract some of your complaints and be grateful…..by all means – you don’t like it leave…but don’t write in ignorance -please.
Hi Will, I have indeed tried out many other countries and settled on a place I like better. With regards to pavements, this video is worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk2EtBYJ_ww
Hi Jean my full respect for this truthful read about Malta I can not believe how blind , ignorant,greedy, shallow and couruppet that rock is my daughter fell in love and married a Maltese man thank god they left that place and now live in Abu Dhabi ..My daughter,me and my wife still have to tell him not to treat our daughter like it’s 1920 s he didn’t like it his parents think it’s a big deal to buy apartments and shout it out saying it’s all for the baby and I tell them when she grows up she will make her own mind up these people can’t even hold or kiss there grandchild because there to busy talking about themselves sorry Jean for some reason Malta thinks anyone gives toss.
Your words are spot on to how I feel everyday. Sadly, I can’t leave, for more reasons than one. But I keep hoping that at some point, I will. Although I’m already 50 years old . I know I’m not THat old but with all the frustration I feel on a day to day basis .. it leaves me feeling older than my actual age. I so envy you and all those who have taken the same step. I love my Malta but it is nothing as it once was, when I was a kid and enjoyed going to the countryside with my family. Still the system and the mentality was always as it is. I had the opportunity to leave when I was much younger , (I was in London for three weeks and offered a job) but my mom changed my mind at the time. You know the usual “what will you do if you come back and you don’t have your car/ place .. anymore?” Now she is old and I feel guilty leaving her on her own and I do not have a cent in the bank, due to many years struggling with work .. since I am always so depressed with the overall situation in this country. I feel totally suffocated and when my mom is gone, I think I will just sell house and all and head to the UK for starters. I’m sure I will feel less old the minute I leave this forsaken rock. I admire you and people who really love their country and wish it was a better place to live in, without resorting to go to an other place; to survive our sanity.
Wow, if you had omitted the word ‘Malta’ from your article, I would have sworn you were talking about Sydney, Australia. But here, no one talks politics, religion or race – for fear you are labelled racist and discriminating.
It rains mostly in Summer – which is awful if you love the beach.
There’s no shooting birds in Sydney – you need a licence for that, but there is shooting people.
The income tax rates are much higher, in fact there is a tax for everything and a fine for everything – from jay walking to picking clams on a beach. The cost of living is very high.
And bad roads? You haven’t seen anything until you use the roads in NSW.
The building are not illegal – the fines would be in the $ millions – but with the number of high rise blocks of flats going up, Sydney looks like a ghetto.
We left Malta a long time ago. The grass is not greener. I am thinking of going back actually – if only for the weather. Anything else would not be unfamiliar.
Hi Tania, sorry to hear that about Sydney. I’ve never been there although it’s definitely a place I want to visit someday. All the best and good luck if you decide to return to Malta.
Well Tanya
Stay were you are trust me. It’s not the Malta you left and you will be very disappointed. I left Sydney in August 2017and not very happy that I did!
Agree with ALL you said. I manage to overcome it by ignoring politicians and practice politics in a heritage organisation Din l-Art Ħelwa in which I have been a Executive Committee Member for the past 25 years, struggling to restore places which are left abandoned.
Thanks for your work Stanley, I really admire people like you who work tirelessly against all odds.
Thanks Jean, you have saved me a lot of time and heartache; I was seriously going to give Malta a try, but the issues that you outline in your excellent piece are precisely the sort of things that would rub me up the wrong way, and the sheer number of supporting comments from your countrymen have convinced me that it would be a wrong move.
I was actually most interested in Gozo, but with the threat of over development looming there too, it would be a heartbreaking experience.
You’re welcome, for what it’s worth I still suggest visiting the islands and seeing things for yourself, perhaps notwithstanding the downsides it would still be worth moving there. Deciding on a place to call home is a personal decision and everyone has their own criteria and deal breakers, so you might actually like it. Gozo remains one of my favourite places so far, and I’m hoping that sense prevails and it doesn’t get ruined by overdevelopment.
Philander, you’ve got to go and see it. Then you appreciate how great it’s somewhere else. I was a week. Actually I wanted to stay longer to get a deeper inside and become acquaintd with everything, but 1 week was enough. It’s enough to see everything you want to see (the sights) and what you don’t want to see (which unfortunately is quite a lot). I went there without having read this article before.
Best is to stay in Budibba or Qwara and then take the public bus and try to walk up any side street you can to explore as if you lived there. It’s quite an eye-opener.
And don’t ask the hotel to get a better room because yours is noisy, you will be told they are fully booked up even if on booking.com they have ample availability. And don’t buy an icecream on the promende in Sliemma because the guy in that brown stand named “patisserie” will bow down under the table and happily serve you some 3rd rates ice-cream out of a big container bought at a supermarket instead of the fancy stuff he has on display. And don’t get scared by a loud car noisy if some rich younger in an overpowered Mercedes or Hummer goes over the Promenade at a 100 per hour overtaking several cars. It’s normal. Oh, and don’t “go Topless” but feel free to dump you litter whereever you are. Don’t even dream about buying on of their 1.5 million € penthouses with sea (sorry, sewage) view. Well, you might get themm for 800K if you ask nicely. Oh gosh, you’ve got to see it to believe it. Then you’ll learn to appreciate how nice it is where you currently are. Lol….
I have been gone 15 years bro, and i agree with you, so much. The reasons you mentioned are why I left, even back then when we’d just joined the EU – plus other reasons too – like needing to get out from that embryo-mother-like connection maltese people live inside all their lives with their parents unlike almost anywhere else in europe (the distances are so small i guess that you are expected to occupy the same 25km radius and so can see them daily, while it would be natural all over the world to move town, or even state when you get to college, and not be so closely watched). Also everyone gives you their opinion on your choices in Malta, and dishes out ‘tips’ on everything which as a highly independent person irritated me in a way I cannot explain. I am still not zen enough to laugh that aspect off, although I know people who learned to. This aspect is 100% maltese and I’ve not come across it anywhere else. I would also add the absolute heteronormativity of the culture, and still very backwards equality attitudes that are at least 20 years behind the rest of western europe.
I don’t think you can get away from idiots abroad anymore than you can in Malta actually. On that point I will disagree. I always only got the illusion of space. I think unless you go to iceland or something you never can get away from people. I mean I’m not joking in my apartment here in Berlin I’ve heard my next door neighbout fart, some miscreant pooped in the stairwell of the building – and I live in a ‘good’ area, mind. Even in rural ireland people would let their horses get into your garden or set a blaze by your car or some such craziness. Once a neighbour on a coke binge in ireland knocked my door and shoved his dog into my house before I could say anything then disappeared for two days. A man was bludgeoned to a coma by ‘lads’ on a spree a short step from where I lived. It barely made mention in the news.
Actually the crazy and the drunk violence in general i’ve witnessed abroad compared to Malta is very high – road rage included (and a car tried to run me off the road in birkirkara bypass once because I honked at them when they overtook me illegally)
But I’ll say this though, growing old(er) outside of one’s family circle, in the big sprawling world, where nobody else seems to be connected to their family either, feels wrong sometimes. It’s a kind of emptiness. And despite the undeniable small-world-mentality Malta has, let me tell you there’s some metropolises out there that will roofie your ambition worse than il-gahan-malti because everyone you bump into is basically another ennui-soaked berliner who wants to be 21 when they’re almost 40. (Where I’ve lived for the past 4 years). I thought my art life and inspiration would change having lived abroad but, that has not altered at all. I’ve just had more freedom and learned what it feels like to not be in Malta.
But you know… lately Calypso has been calling me. I wanna give it a go. If it goes South hey I could also fly north again the way I did before.
Enjoyed reading your article – all the best!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lisa. Fantastic art pieces! All the best with your Calypso plan 🙂
I have been holidaying in Malta for 18 years but I am not sure I will come back again. It has changed and lost a lot of its charm. The pavements are a serious problem and so is the over development. I completely Agree with you about the Maltese attitude, anything will do. Well I am sorry but the rest of the world expects a better standard. Food here has become bland,even the coffee has got bad. Why am I moaning ? Just sad.
It’s definitely changed very rapidly Glennis. With regards to food, I think this is one area where things actually got better. There is way more choice now and the influx of Italian restaurants has upped the standard. It’s also true that some local restaurants have failed to progress and have now fallen behind all the newcomers, and perhaps this is what you are referring to.
I too left Malta some 8 years ago, and am now living in my third country, but can actually speak for several others as I travel constantly in my work. It’s possible that I may move yet again at some point. I have a successful career and make very good money.
My profession is finance and the most important lessons I learnt in my professional development were learnt in Malta, working for tough Maltese family businesses with operations in North Africa and Europe. There are quite a few of them, you would be surprised. Then again, they don’t employ whingers of any nationality.
My Maltese experience and education has given me a competitive edge over colleagues from other European countries because we Maltese are more versatile and flexible. Insularity and being poorly read are our biggest disadvantages, and guess what Jean, I see a lot of both in your writing. You know what is the biggest mark of insularity? It’s when you absolutely lack both perspective and hard knowledge of realities, or have a utopian view of ‘abroad’ , and fail to recognise that what you are is where you come from, no matter how far and how permanently you move.
Living in different countries has made me realise the very hard choices and realities in even the best countries. Some examples :
London is great…..if you have a great salary. If you want to maintain a Malta lifestyle that can be obtained on a much lower income in Malta, including decent housing, a reasonable commute and good schooling for the kids, you need 80 grand a year. The average salary in London is 27K. Before taxes. If you reach your mid thirties and don’t have a good income in London, you need to cut the BS, thank the stars for a few or several great years in one of the world’s truly great cities…..and leave.
Many Maltese live in Belgium, and are so smug because they think they ‘left the islands’. The truth about these Maltese is that none of them would be there if they were not working for the EU, paying very low taxes on very high salaries with very good pensions. Brussels is the city that attracts the highest percentage of Maltese ‘migrants’ by far, by my reckoning. Yet none would be going there if they were working Belgian jobs paying some of the highest taxes in Europe on low salaries. Brussels is also a very ghettoised city, like quite a few other cities in Europe, with a lot of racism that is subtle that can make your life hell if, as in London, a very high salary does not insulate you from the petty aggravations or atrocious traffic and nightmareish commutes. Imagine living in a small Flemish commune and never being invited by other parents to kids parties because you are ‘foreign’ or just don’t speak Dutch. And you yourself find yourself making ‘racist’ decisions in cities like Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and Rotterdam. You won’t live in a part of town with a large Muslim or African minority. Not if you care about the value of your home and in some cases, the safety of your kids. Most of Brussels’ expats live in just 5 communes of the city. Most Dutch people I know would not dream of living in Rotterdam.
The further east you go in Europe, and the smaller the community anywhere in Europe, the deeper the prejudice. Be very aware of that. In Europe everybody has prejudices. Including yourself.
Germany and the Nordic countries are amongst the best places to raise families. But language is a big barrier for most Maltese in many careers, and schooling can be especially tough if the kids are not immediately fluent in the local language. And given the nature of the German schooling system, with aggressive streaming at a very young age, you don’t want an academically gifted child to be held back by language in such a system, because the pressure to push that child into a technical or apprenticeship direction can be brutal.
In the South of Europe and especially Italy, there are no jobs, there are high costs, there are big barriers to working in several trades and professions if foreign and taxes are high, services are bad, and salaries are low. And it’s as simple as that. In the east of Europe it’s only good if you are highly paid and working for a multinational. And the racism is immense.
So after you have done patting yourself on the head about leaving Malta, dig into real life. You will make it with a will. But only if you have a good head on your shoulders, and a good CV. And the luck to avoid some very nasty pitfalls.
I’m glad you’ve embarked on a successful career, however I think you’ve missed the point of my blog post. This is a personal blog and I only wrote this to share why I left Malta for anyone who would be interested.
Having the good fortune of being able to work from anywhere, I have found my ideal spot in the world and am totally happy there.
Stash,
Not sure if your nick was done on purpose to refer to money but certainly half your substantially long cynical comment deals with money. If that’s all you care about then yes of course Malta is great for you. You can make it and hide it and get away with ripping off government and to hell with society and quality of life.
It is you who missed the point of what Mr Galea is talking about here. I have lived in various countries as well and all have their disappointments. But on a social level and depending on what you are looking for in any country you can develop your niche. In Malta that is hard to do because you simply cannot avoid being confronted with everyday self destructive contemptuous egotism. Stupidity and ignorance are celebrated as virtues.
I find that actually it is people that think and speak like you do, tend to be obsessed with making money with no care on how its done, lack any sense of social ethics and hold nothing but contempt for others if they do not uphold making money for its own sake. People like that tend to be well educated on paper but very poorly read and lack capacity to manage medium complex problems and situations. I am not saying you are like that but from personal experience that’s my conclusion and I could be wrong.
Its what I know to be the root of what’s wrong with the majority of people in Malta. I cannot speak for countries like Italy even though I have my opinion but suffice it to say you don’t see this sort of behaviour not even in Sicily.
Good luck for the future
John
Totally agree with your blog Jean. I am an expat in Malta and everyday is a love and hate situation for me….the driving arghhh!!
Even where I live is totally surrounded by construction. I came here in the hope of a better life but have spent 3 months with chest infections (which I don’t normally get) and sadly all my expat friends have left in less than 6 months of being here…
If this is progress why would anyone want it??? Oh yes money…..that is pretty much at the route of the problem in Malta in my opinion and it certainly doesn’t fit with its so called Christian values. Best wishes to you!
Dear Jean
You couldn’t be more spot on on describing the real Malta. It’s true it’s nice to come for a holiday and see the history that surrounds it and the beauty of the sea connection but then after couple off days catch that flight and see ya later.
I moved from Malta to Australia 10 years ago but returned back to live with my young family last August and manly to be close to family as we couldn’t do the yearly trip like you do from England but I still finding hard how ignorance the Maltese people are of not speaking up and seriously not seeing in what state this country has become.
Would love to do something to make it better but I find myself hopeless. Kids and hubby are enjoying close family so far but it’s only been 6 months that we moved back. Let’s see what the future here holds
Thanks for your blog it made me feel I am not the only one winging about the “beautiful Malta!?”
You’re welcome Lorraine. The laissez-faire attitude is slowly but surely destroying Malta.
When I see what it going on it just upsets me. So much corruption when it comes to building and corruption in all levels of government. I am glad I left the island two decades ago and I doubt I will ever visit as what was once a beautiful country is now a cesspit of concrete , crime , corruption, loose morals , murders , violence … the place I loved and grew up in no longer exists ..what a shame Malta ever joined the EU , yes you benefited but sure are paying a hefty price for all you thought you gained and you don’t even realize it.
I lived in Malta in the 60’s and to be a kid here then was the best place in the world, still can’t believe we used to safely play in the road! I moved back here 14 years ago and wow has it changed and even in the last 14 years the additional detrimental changes have kicked in. I agree with everything Jean says, Malta is a Marmite country – you either love it or you hate it – no in-between. The bureaucracy, the traffic, the ugly buildings, the mentality balanced against the weather, pastizzi, beaches, laid back attitudes.
Some mornings I hate it and in Winter it looks ugly….but when the sun shines….
Hi too all… lve planned to vist malta soon again. My mother born there and grandparents. I was once there back in 1990 june to sept. With my nanu taking me on a history tour of islland . It was a happily experience. The meantimg of my reilitives.
Spending time with them. Also going for quiet walks. Dinners in. Also some out. I loved the sun and water. Was a great way to spend the day . Also a nap. Then be up too prepare a small bit to eat. Walk too center village to meet up with locals. To chat. Being that the evenings were cool breezey. Eat healthy meals. Listings too my elders . Finding want matters the most…… going to church giveing God. Time in ur day. I was only 17yrs old. I feel very blessed to be part of maltese tradition and culture. Being from America.Going to malta in that time was for me was like a heavenly place on the planet. Not to speak of all the histrionic churchs i walk in and around which was the skyline of the island in my eyes. Ive read most of the comments that others r saying that ……. for sure the development is changeing new generation of people . The older generations r dying. The new ones r comeimg Along . So it seems that the younger maltese generations dont care about how they really need too preserve the island. Save it knw so it doesn’t turn into ugly dirty skyline of tall buildings along the coasts. I agree……….. stop….this development. Its nasty too see that a very special small island is building up a ugly skylines. The beauty of the the island is its low structures and the church’s being only tbe tallest symbols on the island. That’s being said tells u that hundreds of years ago maltese people were more in touch with God…. on a daily basis. Back then most people went to vist early morning prayers for the day.. every day….then went about there adult lives. To do good for all…. in everyway that evey family loves all its people. If u look back at the maltese anserty….going far as 300 yrs most people on the island r related to each other . This is why this small group people love and care for another. I say too the all maltese ages…. the very young….the older generations of people still around . PLEASE encourage these younger men and women of Malta to remember that if u what to preserve its past years of rich history . Let the rest of the world knw that we need same the island frm be coming a modern city……. thats what’s making people ugly on this small group of island people.
Dear Jean
I am a foreigner living in Malta for 10 years now. I really appreciated your post as the first honest, politically unbiased view of the island by an actual Maltese citizen I have seen in print EVER – or at least in English 🙂
The frustration that you refer to exist, but they are livable. The much bigger issue for people like us, not from within the EU, is that it does not seem to matter how long you have been here, how much benefit you bring, or how much tax you (of which you do not especially benefit as you are considered ‘a temporary resident) to the residency offices or the local bank. Each and every year, including in the past 3 months, we go through a process to renew our stay – and every year there are surprise new requirements. Or your travel document is suddenly (after 6 years!) marked as ‘Not accepted’ when returning home from a work trip at midnight.
My concern for Malta is the shortsightedness in the treatment of the TNC professionals who are bringing necessary skills to Malta across the industries that have chosen to settle here.
Now I have written a lot more than intended.
Thank you once again for proving what I believed but could not find – much of Malta is in 2018. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your concerns Wendy, I wasn’t that aware of this issue.
We “settled” in June ‘17 on this island and it took us 9 month to understand the “culture” of the locals. It’s absolutely not the place to settle and we will be leaving back to the European Main Land in 2 weeks from now. We can’t wait! Everything in your article is 100% pointing out the true state of the country and it’s citizens, being in a great hurry to destroy the rest of what’s left here to enjoy. We have lived before in many different cultures, in and out of Europe… nothing we have experienced before is worse than Malta. It’s desperate… the average “Joe blow” is around every corner at all level of society and it’s just impossible to get away from them. The only chance is to get out of here!
Very clear and interesting your point of view. Really usefull. Thanks a lot.
I have been reading your comments and me too emigrated to northern europe in my early twenties from Malta for mainly the same reasons. Nowadays I appreciate Malta how it is as it is a modern Arabic European country. You cannot compare Malta solely to European countries, because whether you want it or our culture has arabic roots. Behaviour of uneducated Maltese driving in their old cars is similar to that in North Africa, e.g. Libya. The mentality of throwing garbage outside is another issue. The fact of building without planning and the way of building (as in most Arabic countries or Israel). Reluctance to change. Seeing political party leaders as dictators. However, youngsters are brought up in believing they are only European and when they grow up the bubble blows up. What I mean is, the difference in Malta to other northern European nations is mainly cultural because of its Arabic origins, so (uneducated) Maltese people‘s attitudes, fiasco in planning or bad service are normal in Northern Africa. Of course the educated lot who travel want Malta to be more European, but this needs time and patience.
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I had moved away from Malta for the exact same reasons you point out over 20 years ago. I would also add that there is not 1 meter of properly maintained area anywhere you go.
That really gets to me. Like peeling paint on houses, walls built with left overs, oil slicks everywhere, broken rusting metal contraptions.
Another thing that really is unique for Malta is that its the only country I have lived in where acting crass, crude, stupid and being ignorant is a grace not something to be ashamed of.
I had hoped that my generation would have made a difference. Alas I feel we have done worse. The generation that came after me has now sank it down to even murkier depths.
I have recently returned for personal reasons but suffice it to say there are countries that can prove to be a disappointment once one starts living there. Now I’m looking to where else I will be moving to.
Not to mention the recent murder of an esteemed journalist and her subsequent treatment to me has really hit the bottom of the pits. Now its quite clear that at no point was there a socialist or a conservative political view problem. Malta does not understand and never did understand democracy and politics, politicians included.
Brexit has put me off going to the UK. The reasons the Brits voted in favour of Brexit are short sighted and bigoted. True to be fair its that older generation that will not really live to see the results of what they did but I love the whole idea of the EU project and thats where I want to be. Preferably right in the heart of it.
Lets hope it manages to tackle the current problems and come out stronger in the future.
Otherwise nothing more to add and I dont see that there will ever be a culture change unless some economic disaster occurs. Then perhaps the people will realise finally that stupidity and ignorance is not something to be proud of and making money is really just something intangible. The value of money goes hand in hand with quality of life. It makes no sense to loose from one to benefit the other.
While I recognise there are literally a few thousand of like minded individuals we are too few on this island to make a difference. At least not while the construction industry keeps people feeling wealthy.
Good luck for the future
John
Thanks for your thoughts John, good luck to you too.
Dear Jean;
I have been sitting at home today trying to understand why my sister has been living in Malta for five years. I recently moved back to Toronto after two full years in Malta. Growing up In Toronto I hate to say it but I felt like I went backwards in life. I was in tears reading this because I couldn’t get my sister to understand why I left. The only thing I experience that you didn’t say, was everywhere I went the Maltese were rude to me in shops. No one says please or thank you or shows any kindness. People would slam the money on the table when you payed for something. Which is just nothing like Canada! Peace out ! I went home where it’s hot all summer( cool in my condo) and cold in the world tee ( hot inside ) and people appreciate kindness
Thanks for sharing Eliza. Many Maltese people are very friendly and helpful individuals, but in a great deal of shops and other establishments there is a sore lack of professionalism, manners and courtesy. Having experienced customer care in other countries I can sympathize with your experience.
Honest article and so true. I’m a foreigner living in Malta. Been here 10 years now and I felt so welcome and excited about my new life when I first arrived. I feel disillusioned and unwelcome now. I saw a beautiful island that just needed a little TLC at first. I joined beach clean ups every year only to find Maltese people mocked the foreigners cleaning up their mess on social media. I learnt Maltese (not great but getting there), only to be laughed at and embarrassed when I tried to communicate in it. My neighbours treat me like I am an invading alien from outer space despite having lived next to them for years. My property is housed in a building that is falling apart because it was built on the cheap and consequently devaluing my property, every episode of winter rain causes more damage and the building owner does nothing/doesn’t care. The lack of environmental awareness saddens me greatly and if you attempt to do anything you get abuse and told ‘if you don’t like it, go back to where you came from!’ Malta will always have a special place in my heart, but I am finding it increasingly difficult to have a peaceful life here. I feel constantly on the defense and on edge. I am not in the position to go back to my country yet, but it will happen one day. I’ll come back and visit for sure, but I need to get out to preserve my spiritual health. Malta is not what I thought it was.
well written
I was just about to move to Malta in a week.
Thanks for opening my eyes.
I will not move there anymore.
I have just come back, too, also 1 week.
I nearly freaked out when I saw the place.
I certainly won’t move their either. Never, ever.
I agree totally.
they want to be better than anyone else,specially authority ,they are joke.
thanks .
Just came back from Malta. Been there for a week. Honestly, not even for ZERO tax would I want to live there. Horrible what they did to an ancient historic place. And the dirt everywhere, the streets, the rubbish, the pavements, the constructions, the abandoned buildings have finished enough to house all the 2 million refugees. Poor Maltese, everybody just looked so sad.
I counted 35 real estate agents in just 900 meters along St. Julians to Sliemma walk along the “promenade”.