Originally published: August 2017
Note: I wrote another article about Malta in 2022, sharing my latest views and feelings about the situation there.
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 moments of frustration, 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, such as investing.
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. I once tried taking my Brompton bike 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 Maltese adults are the second most obese in Europe. This fact is evident to me whenever I land in Malta and have a look around. 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, while public transport is of average quality and mostly consists of buses and taxes (an underground metro system would be a game changer). 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.
Moreover, Maltese people in general tend to overeat, with typically huge portions being served in families, while fast food has gained in popularity. The famous mediterranean diet is not really present in Malta, instead people tend to consume large quantities of bread, junk food and pasta. Kids are given sweets abundantly. This is coupled with a sedentary lifestyle and other bad habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, and you get the resulting obesity situation. A visit to the country’s main hospital will also give a clear indication to where all this is leading to, with crowded waiting rooms filled with people who could clearly used a better diet instead of being given more pills.
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 fumes.
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 that were meant to remain in their natural state. The result is an overexploited 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 the 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 pastime, 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.
In line with the selfish nature so prevalent in Malta (a so-called Catholic country), we find the issue of smoking. Smoking was banned in enclosed public places and workplaces in Malta on July 1, 2004, with the implementation of the “Protection of Non-Smokers Health Regulations.” This ban was extended to include bars and restaurants in 2005, and in 2018, Malta introduced a comprehensive smoking ban that prohibited smoking in all public places, including outdoor areas like beaches and parks. The ban also prohibited smoking in private vehicles when children under the age of 18 are present. The implementation of the smoking ban in Malta has been enforced in restaurants and offices, which arguably already had arrangements for smokers before the ban, but it is a miserable failure when it comes to clubs and many bars. If you don’t believe me, go have a look for yourself, pick any club and you will most likely see the bouncers, DJ and other people in management smoking, so it is little wonder that patrons also feel at liberty to smoke. The ban in outdoor areas is another complete joke, again just visit any park and beach and see for yourself. As a health-conscious non-smoker, I find this to be another prime example of the selfishness and short-term thinking of the Maltese.
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. Its 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 that 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.
2019 Update
It’s been more than two years since I wrote this post, and I’ve interacted with many people about the subject both in the comments section as well as over email exchanges. Unfortunately, not only has the situation in Malta not become any better since I wrote this, but things took a nasty turn for the worse.
The obvious big news item was the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2018, followed by several scandals in the political scene. During the last few months of 2019 we’ve seen Malta in the worldwide news for all the wrong reasons, with several top members of the governing party being forced to resign due to their misdeeds and connections to the murder.
As we close off the year, prime minister Joseph Muscat has been named ‘Person of the Year’ for organised crime and corruption by a consortium of investigative journalists.
It was a busy 12 months in the world of organized crime and corruption. But without further ado, here is our 2019 Person of the Year: https://t.co/oDVXs9EZYI#occrpaward #CorruptActor2019
— Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (@OCCRP) December 27, 2019
Dr Muscat joins a list of previous winners of the OCCPR’s yearly prize that includes strongmen such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijan’s Ilhan Aliyev, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte.
“Under Muscat’s leadership, criminality and corruption have flourished — and in many cases gone unpunished,” the OCCPR said.
The organisation highlighted the way Dr Muscat had acted throughout the investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
I had intentionally avoided politicising things with my original post, as I don’t consider myself a supporter of a particular party in Malta, but things have really gone to new extremes with the Labour party in government led by Dr Muscat in recent years.
Not only have things become worse in Malta, but the country’s reputation overseas is at an all-time low due to this government’s shenanigans.
What is quite impressive to me is that the Maltese population by and large has been quite passive during this whole debacle. Not to mention that probably around half of the population still doesn’t think that anything irregular has taken place in the past few years, as you can witness if you open any article on local newspapers reporting cases of corruption. The kind of brainwashing on display is at least on par with what you would expect from people in communist countries with no access to outside information. To see people defending the prime minister and his cronies while hurling abuse at any detractors, Maltese or foreign, is just sad.
One would hope that the Maltese will choose better people in leadership, independently of which party they’re from, and avoid further damage to the country. It’s worth keeping in mind that right now, the Maltese economy seems to be doing very well, however I am of the opinion that this boom has not been very organic nor is it built on solid ground.
If we take an honest look at the last 15 years of growth in the Maltese economy, we would find that the big driver has been an artificially favorable tax system designed to attract foreign companies to relocate their business in Malta and thus gain huge tax benefits. That drove an influx of foreigners needed to staff the relocated companies (most of them online gaming companies), which in turn drove up property prices and helped build an impressive financial industry to service these aforementioned companies. If one of these pillars were to be affected by the scandals rocking the political scene, all the pieces will fall like dominoes causing a serious crisis in Malta.
Taking the Decision
Over the years since I’ve written this post, I’ve received many emails from (mostly young) people who identify with my feelings and are struggling with taking the decision.
I want to make it clear that while we live in an era where travel is very easy and affordable, uprooting yourself and moving to another country is still a significant psychological and logistical challenge for most people.
Here’s a copy of an email reply I sent to a person who reached out to ask for advice on how to approach the decision. I hope it can be of help to others in the same stage of their lives.
Every person who decides to leave their home country will have the fears and worries that you mention, that is perfectly normal.I had the same concerns myself when I was in the same situation. What I did was to sit down in a quiet place for an hour or so, take a pen and two sheets of paper. On one list the pros and the other the cons about moving. Take your time and let your heart and mind both outpour onto those two pages. When you’re done, you should have a clearer picture of what you should do. If it’s still not clear, assign a rating of 1-5 or 1-10 next to each point that you list, with 1 being of least importance and 10 being essential for you. Then add the scores up and hopefully one should be significantly higher than the other.Know that you can’t control what you’ll find on the other side, but you owe it to yourself to at least seek a betterment of your situation if that’s what you need to do.I have yet to come across anyone who regretted leaving a negative environment that bothered them (job, country, etc) but I have met plenty of older people who have significant regrets about not taking a chance on a better future when they were younger.
Further Reading
- Bloomberg – Why the EU is furious with Malta – covers problems that I mentioned in the post and other big issues that surfaced in the past year since I’ve written this post.
- Only in Malta – Facebook group showcasing daily unbelievable occurrences in Malta
- Malta New Reality – More shenanigans in Malta
- The Shift – Daily updates on scandals and corruption in Malta
- 70% of Malta’s young people wish to leave.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[Mario}
>>> While ignorance goes on for sure, it’s a gross exaggeration to suggest you encounter such behaviour on a daily basis.
No, it is not. As someone who came to Malta a week ago to invest and study at the “prestigious” University, I can tell that I have faced at least 2,3 nasty-rude behaviours on a daily basis (and not only directed against me). They usually come from Maltese people, not foreigners. They are proud of being rude. And if I count third-part aggressions and little hostilities (racist jokes, evil eye, etc) the number climbs up to 10. This is the worse place I ever been in my entire life, and this is the most unwelcoming people I ever met – Malta definitely shouldn’t be part of the EU – I never felt such a lack of “human rights” (and decency, and humanity) as I feel here.
>>> 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.
Environment? You must be joking! The whole place is covered by trash, and extreme pollution, not only from the construction sites (noise, for example, is pollution – and Maltese people love it). Environmental concern is the last thing you will find in Malta, and I blame the Maltese for that (not tourists, not foreigners). The greed of your government has destroyed this place – take note!
Besides – it is exactly the lack of “sense of community” that turns Maltese people into major xenophobes, racists and closed-minded people. “Sense of community” that you find in places like the UK involves “respect of differences”, “positive attitude”, “tolerance” which is something you simply can’t find in Malta. I was lured by the propaganda online, and now I can’t find strength to leave the hotel room afraid as I am of the barbaric manners of the locals. This barbaric manners include a heavy drinking culture – even more exaggerated and dangerous than the British – especially because people here (including foreign students) don’t know how to behave themselves while drunk. In one week I have seen more drunken fights/aggressions here than in my 6 years living in London.
>>> 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.
So what? – PROPAGANDA – the UK is considered to be a low-level corruption country at the same time the CIty of London is commemorated as the world’s leading tax-haven (which is basically a mechanism of bank corruption). “surveys”, as you said – works more to attract investments and money (and some incautious entrepreneurs/students like me). Thank god I haven’t placed my money here. I wouldn’t recommend Malta to my worse enemy. Better live in an Islamic dictatorship than here – at least Muslims can be much more decent and respectful, while the Catholic culture you have has clearly abandoned values such as mercy, humbleness and COMPASSION.
PS> Is Malta a Catholic country? Ah! This was a long time ago. What I can see here is a demonic influence instigated by the online “Silicon Valley” culture that is slowly helping to dehumanise people, turn them into brainless machines. Malta, again, stands as the best example of how technology is helping to destroy humanity, aligned with neoliberal capitalism, clearly favoured by the government (which some people here believe is “too left wing”).
Well said, but unfortunately many Maltese will laugh at such an analysis and simply label it as exaggeration. One day when the country is far beyond the point of no return they will wake up and look back in shame at the way they destroyed what was once a beautiful and peaceful place.
Spot on! Were i only 30 years younger i would be off this piddling pinhead too….
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 🙂
Great post Jean!! Absolutely spot on!
Thanks cousin!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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