Malta: anyone know the area?

rustybarge

rustybarge

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I noticed hundreds of swing moorings on Google maps: anyone know if you can rent/lease/buy one, or do you need to be a resident?

The area around Valetta.....





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Could be a nice place to keep a boat in the central Med at reasonable cost?
 
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Not vast experience but lived there in 70's, employed as engineer on couple of family owned yachts. Returned for a month couple of years ago at the invitation of a friend who was teaching in a language school.

Malta, in my opinion is cutting it's own throat. The amount of development, particularly of apartment blocks, is to be seen to be believed. The friend we stayed with is now back in the UK, the rent on the apartment, new, 3 beds, doubled in price from 350 to 800 roros overnight. Some 12 months later he is aware, through neighbours, the premises are still vacant along with many of the other apartments that have been vacated by ex-pats. Still they construct new blocks that do not seem to have an ice blocks chance in hell of leasing out.

All of the photos you have posted are marina controlled and I presume will be going the same financial direction of the property market.

The one thing the Maltese are very clever at doing is emptying your wallet, but, you will have a smile on your face all the way to the insolvency practitioner wondering what you needed all that money for in the first place, you may even thank them for removing a constant source of concern and worry.

For an idea of rates visit Ta'Xbiex/Msida Marina, Manoel Island Marina, and possibly the most expensive St Julians.
 
third engines said:
Not vast experience but lived there in 70's, employed as engineer on couple of family owned yachts. Returned for a month couple of years ago at the invitation of a friend who was teaching in a language school.

Malta, in my opinion is cutting it's own throat. The amount of development, particularly of apartment blocks, is to be seen to be believed. The friend we stayed with is now back in the UK, the rent on the apartment, new, 3 beds, doubled in price from 350 to 800 roros overnight. Some 12 months later he is aware, through neighbours, the premises are still vacant along with many of the other apartments that have been vacated by ex-pats. Still they construct new blocks that do not seem to have an ice blocks chance in hell of leasing out.

All of the photos you have posted are marina controlled and I presume will be going the same financial direction of the property market.

The one thing the Maltese are very clever at doing is emptying your wallet, but, you will have a smile on your face all the way to the insolvency practitioner wondering what you needed all that money for in the first place, you may even thank them for removing a constant source of concern and worry.

For an idea of rates visit Ta'Xbiex/Msida Marina, Manoel Island Marina, and possibly the most expensive St Julians.
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Thanks!

I was originally looking at Gib but the prices of property are similar to the SE of England, and rents are £1250 month minimum for a 2 bed flat in a nasty high rise block.

The property seems less than half that on Malta, but I was looking at Gozo which is more countrified than the main island. Malta is offering a fantastic retirement deal where you pay no tax on foreign income as long as it's not remitted to a bank on the island: so basically tax free. You do need health insurance and a 12 months rental contract and of course proof of sufficient income.

I've only ever met one Maltese couple who I knew quite well, seemed like very nice people

What's your opinion of the people generally?
 
Yeah, Gozo is like Malta -20 years, but, beware the only access is by ferry from the north of Malta, (see skyline webcams).

The other advantage, no poll/rates/community tax or whatever you name it AND your bins get emptied every day!

In general they are very friendly nice people who, the majority speak very good English. I am still in contact with some lads I met in the 70's.

However, when doing business with them watch yer back, front, sides, top and bottom.

By the way, I find the English dialect somewhat amusing, for some reason they cannot pronounce the th as in birth, hence birthday becomes burtday, brother becomes brudder etc.

Have you looked at some of the estate agents sites Simon Malmo etc?
 
third engines said:
Yeah, Gozo is like Malta -20 years, but, beware the only access is by ferry from the north of Malta, (see skyline webcams).

The other advantage, no poll/rates/community tax or whatever you name it AND your bins get emptied every day!

In general they are very friendly nice people who, the majority speak very good English. I am still in contact with some lads I met in the 70's.

However, when doing business with them watch yer back, front, sides, top and bottom.

By the way, I find the English dialect somewhat amusing, for some reason they cannot pronounce the th as in birth, hence birthday becomes burtday, brother becomes brudder etc.

Have you looked at some of the estate agents sites Simon Malmo etc?
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Yeah there's been some major corruption scandals recently; I got the impression it was a bit like Cyprus and the banking crisis with all the dirty Russian money. I've been led to believe you can buy a Maltese EU passport for cash , although the official position is you have to buy property of a certain set value and move to the island for several years to establish EU residency....in theory. lol.

As you say there seems to be lots of property for sale, some at very reasonable prices. The small island mentality might be a bit off-putting , but it is very centrally located; a short hop to Sicily Sardinia Corsica to the north, and Greece and the Adriatic to the east.
 
The online gambling economy has a pretty big industry, tax laws seem to favour it see also Times of Malta, English newspaper available on line.

The property seems to be above UK prices for like for like.
 
Swing moorings are sold or leased by the owners, the one with permit. You cannot find much of them in the above pictures which is Kalkara creek and Gzira.

Last I checked and I am also a property broker, in Sliema and St. Julians area and surroundings there is no vacant property for lease. Average return of property in the area is about 5% to property value with long lets. You can make 8-10% if you go short letting type platform. Again in these areas.

Comparing Malta in the 70s to that of today is a joke. Malta was much cheaper much then, and I remember British coming here and thinking they still owed the place.
They did that up until the 90s.
Gaming, Financial services (medium to small sized) companies, and Block Chain is whats is, has and will fuel the Maltese economy in the coming years.

Just so you know Bet365 has just moved a chunk of its business from London to Malta with an estimated 200 workers coming in plus the lease of a two full storeys in an office tower in Sliema. Contract of five years. Tipico one of the biggest German gaming Cos has just bought the new small Portomaso Tower and is set to upgrade from its current shop of 400 workers to about 2k, making it the biggest gaming company in Malta.
So if you think Maltese are building just for the fun of it you are completely wrong. Most apartments are sold on plan nowadays due to no availability.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/malt...and-regulations-adoption-binance-headquarters

AFAIK London area prices are much higher sqm to sqm to any Malta property. Gozo is quiet, and can be a good retirement place but not much is happening in the area.
 
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third engines said:
However, when doing business with them watch yer back, front, sides, top and bottom.
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I would say if you shake hands on a deal, count your fingers. In fairness, I came across a few shops and businesses who seemed entirely honourable, although it's entirely possible that I missed the trick.
 
Spent a wee bit of time there paying on and off ships whilst working off North Africa. May be wrong, but outwith the tourist season and areas...I very much got the feeling of almost a mafia like culture in the locals. Didn’t feel too welcome.
 
Hi Guys. Sorry but I think you are been a little disingenuous towards the Maltese and Gozitans. I am a retired British expat and lived here for almost 14 years. The folks here are some of the most helpful and kind people you would wish to meet. In any country or culture you will always get those who would want to exploit, even, dare I say in the UK. Regarding the building of apartments yes there are many which will probably remain empty for a long time and an eyesore too but again I have seen just the same if not worse in other EU countries. Problem here is that the islands are so small it become apparent quickly. So having aired my views back to the question asked. I can say there are many swing mooring more I know around Gozo than Malta and there are a number of quite secluded spots. Just need to go around and look. Regarding paid moorings there are sinkers that can be arranged officially through Transport Malta. Not sure just where Qboy stayed but cant say in all the years I have ether felt threatened or intimidated by locals. Cant say the same when I lived in the UK. I would not be comfortable for my wife to go and get money from the cash machine after dark. Never had a problem on Gozo and only a handful of serious crime in the 14 years here. I guess I'm a little bias but my thoughts only.
 
Popski said:
Hi Guys. Sorry but I think you are been a little disingenuous towards the Maltese and Gozitans. I am a retired British expat and lived here for almost 14 years. The folks here are some of the most helpful and kind people you would wish to meet. In any country or culture you will always get those who would want to exploit, even, dare I say in the UK. Regarding the building of apartments yes there are many which will probably remain empty for a long time and an eyesore too but again I have seen just the same if not worse in other EU countries. Problem here is that the islands are so small it become apparent quickly. So having aired my views back to the question asked. I can say there are many swing mooring more I know around Gozo than Malta and there are a number of quite secluded spots. Just need to go around and look. Regarding paid moorings there are sinkers that can be arranged officially through Transport Malta. Not sure just where Qboy stayed but cant say in all the years I have ether felt threatened or intimidated by locals. Cant say the same when I lived in the UK. I would not be comfortable for my wife to go and get money from the cash machine after dark. Never had a problem on Gozo and only a handful of serious crime in the 14 years here. I guess I'm a little bias but my thoughts only.
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Absolutely. Have to say when I first landed there in 1972 it was not long before a Maltese family "adopted" me. Taught me some of the language, on occasions fed me and entertained me. Diamond people on the whole. Still in contact 46 years on.

During the time, Dom Mintoff was in the seat and the British were leaving in droves, however, as yacht crew we were somewhat immune to what was going on shore side but there were some areas of passionate politics, where we, as British were advised to give a wide berth. Quite accidentally, I found myself in one of the areas during their Festa parade. Quite obvious a tourist with big camera and somewhat apprehensive of the situation I must say that several people took time to welcome me to the village and explain in length what was happening and what is coming next. No threat at all was perceived.

As quoted previously, unfortunately some of our fellow countrymen still have the "colonial" attitude when abroad. My advise is to extractus capitas and make genuine friends.

The Maltese will take great mirth teaching you their language in particular a little word for a flower that nobody but a native speaker can pronounce. It sounds something like "tea ee"
 
My parents used to have an apartment in Gozo (Xlendi) for many years and I absolutely love the place. We count many of the locals as friends and it's not unusual for the restaurateurs to recognize you even after a gap for many years. I've never felt the slightest bit unsafe or uneasy when staying there. Note that Malta and Gozo are very different as I believe are the people. Great food too!
 
petem said:
My parents used to have an apartment in Gozo (Xlendi) for many years and I absolutely love the place. We count many of the locals as friends and it's not unusual for the restaurateurs to recognize you even after a gap for many years. I've never felt the slightest bit unsafe or uneasy when staying there. Note that Malta and Gozo are very different as I believe are the people. Great food too!
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I grew up in the country, so will probably be visiting Gozo first to get a idea of island life and how much harder it is to get to the airport than the main Island. I just realised that they drive on the left like the UK; must be the only other place in Europe.

Biggest hitch I see is the tiny size of the place: could get claustrophobic very quickly . I've only visited the IOW once and ended going around in circles seeing the same stuff over and over again.
 
I can honestly say that you will never feel like being on a small island. Whilst it’s only 8x4 miles roughly I have never felt like being clostrophobic in fact quite the opposite. The island is a little like a tardis but in geographical terms rather than time. It’s small yes but massive in space. Anyone who has not experienced Gozo must do before passing judgment
 
Popski said:
I can honestly say that you will never feel like being on a small island. Whilst it’s only 8x4 miles roughly I have never felt like being clostrophobic in fact quite the opposite. The island is a little like a tardis but in geographical terms rather than time. It’s small yes but massive in space. Anyone who has not experienced Gozo must do before passing judgment
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That's good to know. The island looks very interesting from a historic perspective with all the beautiful architecture and it's fine cut stone period construction. Nearly every neighbour has invaded at some time or another, so the locals must have a very diverse genetic heritage that should lead, in theory at least, to a very broadminded outlook.

Probably.....
 
Hi guys

The port I went into was Marsazlokk or something similar. Like I say it was a long time ago.
We occasionally went to the tourist areas like St Julian’s before leaving for home too.
In response to the British colonial comment....on the contrary, there are few more opposed the whole idea of this than I. I very much got the feeling that the locals had had enough with Stereo typical U.K. folks coming and going on the island (much like the rest of the world)....but as soon as they realised I and others in my company, were from Scotland....it seemed to be less difficult.
All said and done...it was a long time ago, a small window of time... and things may have changed.
 
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