Retiring to Malta

VanMan2007

I've been to Malta 5/6 times and love the island, love the people. I'll be 50 this year and if not for family comitments, would retire there tomorrow.

Just wanted to start a thread on this really. I know when I've been there the cost of living is cheap and rental properties are available for very reasonable prices.

Has anyone retired there and can offer some advice?

Thanks guys.

Errata

There's some useful info on the Malta expats forum http://britishexpat.com/expatforum/malta/index.php

ManAtHome

Looked at it a couple of years ago - main point was that you were only taxed on cash you brought into Malta, sounded like a great base if you were also planning to travel. Was put on hold at the time due to an offer I couldn't refuse... this could be one of them 'good timing' threads...

This page has a reasonable summary of taxation http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=59750 (dunno if anything has changed recently though).

hethmar

We also looked into it but in the end didnt think we could stand the very hot summers and the lack of greenery. Its ok for a couple of weeks but for a couple of decades?

Leper

Retiring to the sun is different from spending some weeks there on holiday. Home is always where the heart is and many have family commitments, friends, occasions, etc etc in which they want to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, even while living abroad these can be combined. But, it is at a cost. I know because I have done it.

But, there is a happy medium i.e spend some months away (say winter/spring months) and the rest in your permanent home location. Dont let me dictate your life though as (thankfully) everybody is different and what suits me may not suit others.

C_Mababejive

Retiring to Malta would be like crossing the Styx to Hades for me !

Malta..well they say you either love it or hate it.

After a few years there i think you would go stir crazy.

[Deleted User]

I have been on holiday to Malta 4 times and I like the history of the island but would go around the bend if I lived there. Far too many people and far too much killing of wild birds. Summer is way too hot and january was cold and windy. Touristy and boring

mandyc

Love it myself. Friends of our retired to Gozo about five or six years ago and have never looked back. Their general health has improved and they are so happy there. As far as the summer heat is concerned, they live like the locals ie get up early and do what they have to do then siesta in the hottest part of the day. Get up at about 4 or 5 o'clock walk down to the bay and have a swim.

She tends to come back to the UK for a week or so each year but her husband stays there and they are never short of visitors from the UK.

One thing it is no longer cheap because of the Euro/£ exchange rate and although there are cheap rentals to be had because the tourist trade has been quite stagnant for the last few years, general living costs have risen dramtically recently.

I think I would go for a long cheap let say from November through to April thus avoiding the very worst of the winter here.

VanMan2007

Thanks Mandy,

I admit I've only ever been for two weeks, once in the summer and it is flipping hot; but I was beginning to think I had been to the wrong place after all the moans and groans on this thread!

I guess it's not for everybody though! Thank God - why go and live abroad if it's just Little Britain?

scotsbob

VanMan2007 wrote: »

I was beginning to think I had been to the wrong place after all the moans and groans on this thread

You will notice however that most of the moans and groans came from people who had not retired there, despite your asking for advice from people who had.

VanMan2007

Errata wrote: »

There's some useful info on the Malta expats forum http://britishexpat.com/expatforum/malta/index.php

Forgot to thank you for this Errata. Although I'd want to live off the ex-pat radar, some good info here.