Are you Maltese or an immigrant?
Maltese
On a scale of 0 to 10, how patriotic are you?
1
How long have you been living in Malta?
All my life (29 years)
How would you describe life in Malta?
Numbing
Has it been easy to settle down, to find accommodation and a job?
Yes, but a big part of that is because my parents are rich.
How is the standard of living
Much lower than one would expect, and getting worse.
How is the cost of living?
About equivalent to most developed European nations
Is it easy to make friends in Malta?
I’ve known my friends since childhood. I think making friends as an adult is much more difficult since everyone is already set in their groups.
How safe is Malta?
From a crime perspective it’s safe. The main risk of danger comes from the negligence of other people and the authorities.
What are your thoughts on nature in Malta?
What nature?
Is English widely spoken?
It is a myth that Maltese people are bi-lingual. The ~30% of the population with a decent education will speak decent English. The rest are lucky to be literate or conversant in any language.
How diverse is Malta?
Fairly diverse in the main population centres.
Do you like the weather?
Summer is too hot and humid, there is no Autumn, Winter is bone-chilling due to the humidity. Spring is lovely.
How is Maltese cuisine?
The product of centuries of abject poverty. However rabbit is delicious.
What are your favorite Maltese foods?
Rabbit fried in wine and garlic.
Does Malta suffer any natural disasters? If Yes, how often?
Significant flooding due to poor infrastructure after ~20 mins + of rain.
How is tax in Malta?
Tax rates are lower than most European countries. Don’t expect much in the way of public services.
How is the transportation system?
The bus system is a bad joke, the road network is extremely congested.
What do you think about the standard of education?
It systematically destroys any trace of creativity in the individual, and replaces it with heaps of purely academic knowledge to be regurgitated during exams.
What is the most popular sport?
Football
How is the entertainment industry?
Loads of drug dealers running nightclubs and other money launder fronts.
What are your thoughts on beauty standards in Malta?
In like with Western Trends.
(For people of color) What is it like living in Malta?
I can only imagine it’s some sort of daily hell.
How is racism in Malta?
The Maltese are some of the most racist people I have ever encountered. This is backed up by a state which has institutionalised racism as a means to prop up a stagnating economy.
How is religion in Malta?
Thankfully on the decline.
Is Malta LGBTQ+ friendly?
Getting better, but most of the news about Malta being a top LGBTQ destination are Government propaganda. It turns out if you offer gay people rights they are willing to forgive anything up to, and including, state sanctioned murder.
What are your thoughts on the healthcare system?
Creaking at the seams. Go private if you can.
What are your thoughts on the economic situation in Malta?
A house of cards. The loss of Malta’s tax model may lead to the loss of the online gambling industry. This in turn will eliminate most high-paying jobs and see the exodus of most people renting out higher value property. It will also significantly reduce demand for hospitality and transport services, which will drive these sectors into the ground and see an exodus of poorer migrants, which in turn will bring down the rental market for low value accommodation. This in turn will cause the real estate bubble to burst, and kickstart a banking crisis.
Is corruption an existing issue in Malta?
The governing Labour Party is criminal organisation. The present PM is the lawyer to several prominent members of the local organised crime scene. Corruption is central to Maltese life.
Who is your favorite Maltese celebrity?
None of them.
What is the most celebrated festival/holiday?
Probably Christmas.
What are your thought on politics? Do you think they are doing well?
The government is the literal mafia, and the main opposition party doesn’t appeal to anyone under 60. The situation is dire.
What bothers you about Malta?
The weather, the corruption, the low quality of life, the high cost of living, the people’s acceptance of the situation, the lack of any nature, I could go on…
Do you think Malta is the greatest country in the world? If not, what country do you think is the greatest?
No country is perfect. Switzerland seems quite nice.
What advice would you like to give someone who would like to live in/visit Malta?
Visit for a week or two, venture outside of the main touristic areas.
Which city will you likely recommend to a foreigner to live? And why?
Sliema / St Julian’s have everything you need close by, but be prepared to pay for it. Otherwise anywhere along the West coast is more rural, but owning a car is a must, and be prepared to face up to 2hrs of traffic per day.
What are the biggest misconceptions about Malta?
That it’s some sort of gem in the Mediterranean.
If you could relocate, what country would you relocate to?
The UK
What are things that are normal in Malta but may surprise foreigners?
You put your garbage bags out in the street every morning for collection, no bins. In summer fireworks start at 8am and continue all day, everyday, for 3-4 months, with no reprieve.
What would you like to say to people living elsewhere?
Please pay more attention to our country and hold our government to account. We need help.
On a scale of 1 to 10, rate Malta.
3