Cyprus. great weather and the tax situation is BETTER than anywhere else. Just about every Cypriot speaks English. been here since 2004.

Enjoy your time with the sardine munchers, much more healthy than pastizies.

I found this thread fascinating. The OP's Malta experiences and perspective quite eye-opening and a bit shocking.

But as an alternative for those preferring island life, how about Iceland? Completely opposite from Malta. Remote, peaceful, quiet (except Reykjavik), and with vast expanses of unpopulated wilderness yet with social services and health care provided for permanent residents.

Sure, not lush like Mediterranean or Caribbean island escapes, but definitely not overcrowded. Food variety is limited and expensive. But it is an EEA country open to Brits and quite a different experience in itself.

....................and is almost completely devoid of Englishmen with the colonial mentality !

Nope.. they are there as well

No escape huh ?

Read somewhere that an over 65 retired couple could live on €1000/mth in Malta, everything all in .... furnished rental, utlities, TV/Internet/phone, transportation, medical, groceries, some amount of entertainment/eating out/takeaway - excludes travel outside of Malta/Gozo

Is that possible anywhere else?

All the above applies to Cyprus. However in reality to live a decent life it is more like €1300-00 a month and of course depends on where and what you do. IE use a lot of A/C and the electric bill goes up.

In Bulgaria that is certainly possible.

Yeah don't see anyone living comfy on 1000eur/month. A nice flat in a not shoddy area with a nice view is gonna be at least 400 euro/month. That leaves you 600 a month for your expenses.

You won't afford a car or car insurance and the public transport is crap in Malta, food from the supermarket is fairly expensive, and in the summer you won't afford to put the air con on.

Most of the people I know in Malta are taking out loans to give their children a proper upbringing and live their lives whilst working multiple jobs.

I would say to live comfortably you'd need at the bare minimum 1500 EUR/month, I wouldn't move down for anything less than 2000/month net ie after tax.

Not2old - did your kids ever figure out the Maltese citizenship thing and did they end up in Malta for a while? What did they do for work and such while they were there?

Well we shall be putting this to test soon. It does really depend on ones lifestyle. We won't need a car, will be on Gozo and don't eat out very often.
Ray

Wondering if the Malta and Cyprus members here (or upcoming) are living near the beaches and sea? In addition to the warm weather, is it the coastal scenery and lower cost of living? Do you feel isolated at all (culturally or physically) or is that part of the enjoyment? Is language an issue or are you living near/with fellow Brits?

Here from Sunny Cyprus our view. From our balcony and also the banana transport.

Yes, I suppose it does. If you are working though and need to support yourself 1000 Euro a month is difficult. Even retired i'd definitely find that very difficult.

Its Gozo, the sea is everywhere

Cost of living as I covered above isn't really as low as people say it is, especially when you are trying to work and support yourself. I don't feel isolated but that's because Malta is rather like home to me. (I'm a Maltese national living abroad, my grandparents are Maltese) Culturally I fit in fine even though for all intents and purposes i'm "Canadian" - I fit in more with Maltese culture than I do with Canadian culture.

Language is not an issue - I don't speak Maltese. Most everyone speaks English and I understand enough Maltese to know when people are talking about me - although I am trying to learn the language it is a difficult thing to do abroad, and it is a difficult language to begin with.

Little bit O/T and maybe some not applicable to anyone's situation here because i'm not a Brit, i'm not retired, and I have a personal connection to the islands. But cheers anyway

Thanks themajor (nice views!) and Gozit. Sounds very interesting and am intrigued.