mah88

Hi there. I was considering moving here, but I read in another thread that overcrowding is an issue - is that truly the case? Or, if it is bearable now, is it likely to become a problem everywhere in Malta (specifically Malta, not Gozo) in the next few years?

Expatrick

Been a few years since I was last there but it was "busy" then!

From Google

​​​​​​​I saw another density figure that was even higher!

mah88

Weirdly, I've seen similarly or way higher figures for Gran Canaria and it didn't feel overcrowded when I visited in 2012.

Expatrick

Interesting, haven't been to GC since the late '80s so can't compare!
Malta has had to accommodate a significant number of migrants from Africa, etc - certainly there were gangs of them hanging about Valletta when we were there 10 years ago so that has added to the population pressure (mind you a lot of Malts do emigrate, or at least they used to!).

Moses2013

Gran Canaria 1,560 km² population 876.200
Malta with other islands 316 km² population 516.000

Then you would need to look at the tourist figures per year but Gran Canaria is a lot larger and varied, but haven't been there in the last 20 years.

https://newsbook.com.mt/en/maltas-po...unsustainable/

Moses2013

And imagine, 100.000 more in those 10 years
https://newsbook.com.mt/en/malta-see...0-in-a-decade/

mah88

Good point. I checked out the article and some others too. Makes for quite the sad read. My grandmother was Maltese and so the idea of going to live there permanently sounds nice. My mum even sounds keen on retiring there too, but is quite dismissive of overcrowding issues, but I think she has idealised it because of her mother and holidays. She lived there in the 60s and it was so much quieter than it is now. Such a shame.

Moses2013

Yes, very true. I mentioned in other thread that my parents have friends who were originally from Malta, even they no longer wanted to return. They had a small apartment that family and friends could use, but not sure if they sold it now. The kids all have their own families and when you are used to having a nice house with garden, it's even more difficult to return. Before I moved to Ireland I used to get a lot of job offers for the gambling companies in Malta and Gibraltar, so that still is an option for young people wanting to experience something different. Sardinia would seem like a bigger nicer island, but again the issue is work. Overall Spain or Italy offer far more options, be it short-term or long-term.

mah88

Thanks. That helps a lot. But yes, my worry would be finding work in Spain/Italy and then if I were to lose my job, would I be able to find another one?

Moses2013

I suppose that could be an issue in any country. Although salaries are generally lower in Spain or Italy at least it is still Europe and far better than many other countries.
You can still transfer your unemployment benefits to a different EU country if for example you lost your job in Spain and needed to find work in Austria for example.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...s/index_en.htm
Being single or without kids is a lot easier if you have to move on, so your situation will be very different to families who have no safety net left.
I would still be careful and realistic and while the aim might be sun and sangria right now, you might have a long term goal etc. and while money isn't everything, we still need it now and then?
You are always better off sending your CV to recruitment agencies in both countries and take it from there. When a job offer comes you can research the location and really calculate the true costs.

mah88

Yeah, thanks. I think registering with job agencies is a good idea before I move. I think to be eligible for unemployment you need to have worked at least for 1 year. I've only done this self-employed and didn't make much money.

BlueScottyGirl

I live in Malta and it feels overcrowded. I can't see that improving any time soon. It's also an island wide construction site, taking a photo without the "national bird" (a crane) is night on impossible. The roads are overcrowded and frankly, dangerous to drive on. Wages are generally low and cost of living is high (rent and consumables). Heath and Safety standards and consumer rights are not maintained island wide. It's also quite mysoginistic
I don't want to be negative even though the country welcomed me with a "go back to your own country" attitude but it really is quite a challenging place to love to live. We've given it three years but now we're done.
.

mah88

Sorry to hear that. Even if I don't move there, I sincerely hope there's a change of policy and a focus on sustainable living for the locals, rather than a tax-haven for e-gambling and a tourist trap for sun-seekers. There's more to life than just making money.

Moses2013

Totally understandable and may I ask where you plan to go now? Hard to believe and can't imagine the island will ever reach 700,000

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/commen...t#.Y9EL-XbP1PY
Simply put: the growing waste-disposal problem is already impinging on the country’s quality of life – and our infrastructure is already insufficient to meet our present needs – as things stand today (let alone, when Malta’s population reaches 700,000 by 2050, as predicted...)

J00ls

We loved it when we first lived there nearly 20 years ago but unfortunately it changed and not for the better - so we had to leave. The roads are one solid traffic jam and the building industry is unregulated and out of control. Too many people on one tiny island. They are killing the Golden Goose with their greed - Malta used to be such a gem.