Situated in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, rubbing shoulders with both continental Europe and North Africa, the archipelago of Malta is home to a mere 400,000 people, making it a pintsized haven steeped in history. The weather, defined by almost persistent sunshine, is an obvious benefit but far from the only one. Inclined to help new residents settle in their new country of residence, the Maltese nationals are known to be approachable and friendly and since English is one of Malta’s two main languages, all residents are fluent in the language, which is of course another advantage for UK expats.

Further plus points include low crime rates and political stability, as well as good schooling offering a range of different English-speaking schools and Universities.

An open air museum
Glorious weather and agreeable locals aside, another notable characteristic of Malta is its unique heritage that is steeped in history stretching from the Neolithic era via Roman, Arab and Spanish conquests, and through to the arrival of the Knights of St. John and the British occupation. When coming face to face with the abundance of relics that tell the story of the country’s eventful past, it’s easy to see why Malta has been likened to an open-air museum. Jostling for attention alongside the historical sites and grand Baroque architecture, the natural scenery of the locale is no less impressive, and the urban areas are defined by beautifully dishevelled, softly coloured limestone buildings that are offset by the vividly blue Mediterranean Sea.

In terms of overall atmosphere, Malta is a lively country, with an ongoing calendar of festivals and other celebratory events adding zest to cities and villages. Being multi-faceted in nature, the sense of tranquillity is equally apparent, particularly so in the rural villages.

There are several villages and small cities to consider if tempted to relocate to Malta. To present only two of these options, Overseas Living recommends the historically significant capital of Valletta and the captivating and tranquil island of Gozo.

Valletta
Valletta – or Il Belt, as it’s known in common speech – is the capital of Malta. Established and planned by the Knights of St. John, who built the city during the Crusades in the 16th century, the city received the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage mark by UNESCO in 1980 for good reason. Awash with sites and monuments that chart its rich history, the cityscape is primarily marked by Baroque architecture, but Neo-Classical and Modern elements also make appearances in some places.

Serving as Malta’s absolute centre for culture, the city features a string of magnificent and visit-worthy palaces, churches and museums. To mention but a few specific attractions, The St. John’s Co-Cathedral is impressive – both inside and out – and its associated showcase, the Cathedral Museum, holds two works by the grand master Caravaggio, one of which is the famous Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Significantly, the groundbreaking artist was himself a Knight at one point. The bastion is another true Valletta landmark, and the city is also home to the Manoel Theatre. Conceived by the Portuguese Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, in 1731, the venture is one of the oldest theatres in Europe still in operation and serves up a good selection of performances, mainly in the field of classical music. There are also a varied range of respected museums in town; The National Museum of Fine Art, the National War Museum and the National Museum of Archaeology being three of the most popular.

As for the feel of Valletta city life, it exudes vibrancy and the streets are lined with independently run cafés, restaurants and wine bars. Impossible to overlook, the Grand Harbour is considered one of most beautiful harbours in the Mediterranean.

Gozo
Gozo is Malta’s rural little sister. A separate island located about five kilometres way from the main island of Malta, the destination has a very distinctive identity of its own and encompasses a string of villages that would make for excellent residential bases. With a total population of approximately 30,000, the locale is laid back and champions a simple lifestyle based around agriculture and fishing. As such, the Gozo will appeal to folks looking to trade in stressful city lives for something altogether more relaxing. By no means isolated, Gozo is a mere 25-minute ferry ride away from Malta.

While pleasantly tranquil most of the time, Gozitans aren’t shy of a good celebration, and during carnival time, the night-skies of Gozo are often lit up by fireworks. In terms of eateries, opening hours are anything but restricted and the traditional village bars open early and close late in order to accommodate early risers and night owls alike. Like the rest of Malta, Gozo is a very safe place to live, and the locals take pride in the fact that mugging and other forms of crime are virtually non-existent. Since spending time near water would be the main motive for anyone choosing to relocate to an island, the beach culture is a prominent part of Gozo lifestyle. Among the island’s many beaches, sandy Ramla and beautifully rocky Xlendi are two noteworthy examples.

The medieval town of Victoria, also known as Rabat, is the main hub of Gozo, both in terms of geography and everyday activity. The name Victoria is, not surprisingly, associated with the Queen of the same name, and came about in conjunction with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1887. Forming a significant part of Victoria, the Citadel is the ancient part of the island and it holds significant historical and cultural value. Perched atop the Citadel fortifications, one can take in views of the island in its entirety. Nestling within the area of the Citadel are the Gozo Cathedral and the Law Courts, as well as the Cathedral Museum.

The Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Natural Science Museum and the Folklore Museum are also located nearby and are certainly worth a visit. The Old Prison museum is another intriguing establishment. Pintsized but no less intriguing, the initial part of the prison was established in the 16th century. It’s truly fascinating to witness messages and pictures inscribed by former inmates hundreds of years ago.

Property facts
Valletta and Gozo are becoming increasingly popular locations for second homeownership, much owing to the fact that it’s quite easy for non-Maltese residents to purchase property in the region, bar the fact that foreigners are restricted to purchase properties of a certain value and may not be free to use the property for every purpose.

Don’t let restrictions put you off – buying a property in Malta is worth pursuing since the property housing market is stable and offers a wide variety of properties in all price ranges. Moreover, the general residency conditions are good, along with the further benefits of a favourable tax regime.