So, you got to Malta, but you have to live somewhere. The hostel or the friend’s couch was enough for some days, but you want to set camp somewhere of your own now. This article gives an overview of some of the places to live. This very much depends on where your school will be, and your budget, but here are a few options.
Rent prices have shot up vastly over the last few years. If a 2-bedroom apartment could be nabbed for about 600 euros in the past, nowadays it is closer to 1000 euros.
Msida
Msida is not only in the middle of everything it is where the University of Malta and also the Junior College (a kind of preparatory school for University) are located. It is just a few kilometers from Valletta, and has a pleasant enough promenade. This makes it quite sought after by students and foreigners, but a bargain can still be found here and there.
Sliema
Sliema is a bustling town located on the northeastern coast of Malta. It is a popular destination for students due to its vibrant nightlife, shopping centers, and stunning sea views. The town has a range of apartments and flats to rent, making it an ideal location for students. The town is also home to several language schools, which offer courses in English and other languages.
Sliema is well-connected to other parts of Malta, with regular buses and ferries to Valletta, the capital city. The town is also located close to St. Julian's, another popular destination for students. Not necessarily cheap, but few places are in Malta these days.
St. Julian's
St. Julian's is a lively town located just a few kilometres from Sliema. It is known for its nightlife, with several bars, clubs, and restaurants catering to a young crowd. St. Julian's is also home to several language schools and colleges, which offer courses in English and other languages.
The town has a range of accommodation options, from apartments to shared houses. The town is also home to several beautiful beaches, such as Spinola Bay and St. George's Bay, which are popular spots for sunbathing and swimming.
Gżira
Gżira is a small town located on the northeastern coast of Malta. It is known for its stunning sea views and proximity to Sliema and St. Julian's, as well as mainland Malta's only island, Manoel Island. The town has several language schools and colleges, making it an ideal location for students. It is also hugely popular with expats and, together with Sliema and St. Julian’s forms a stretch of towns with a lot of foreign professionals and a lot of good food options. Of the three towns, Gzira is generally considered to be the cheapest, although this varies.
Gzira has several accommodation options, from apartments to shared houses. The town is well-connected to other parts of Malta, with regular buses to Valletta and other towns.
Valletta
If you’re flash with cash, Valletta could be an option. Other than being the capital proper, it is also the cultural capital of the country. The city is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with several museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks. The city is also home to an outpost of the University of Malta, although nearly all teaching is done at the Msida campus.
Valletta has several accommodation options, including apartments, shared houses, and hostels. The city is extremely well-connected to other parts of Malta, with regular buses and ferries to other towns and cities nearly all departing from here.
Mosta and St. Paul's Bay
Mosta is a big town located in the central-northern part of Malta. It is known for its iconic Rotunda church, which is one of the largest domed churches in the world. The town is also home to several language schools and colleges.
Mosta has several accommodation options, from apartments to shared houses. The town is well-connected to other parts of Malta, with regular buses to Valletta and other towns.
St. Paul's Bay (encompassing St. Paul's Bay proper, Buġibba, Qawra and Xemxija) is quite a densely populated and multicultural coastal town with plenty of good food options and bus links. Rent is often a bit cheaper in St. Paul's Bay than other places in Malta.
Birkirkara (and surrounding towns)
Birkirkara is Malta’s biggest town and slap bang in the middle of Malta. Although there are several historic buildings and churches, it is mainly residential and with several businesses. There are also affordable options here and in the neighbouring towns of Santa Venera, Hamrun and Qormi. Multicultural Hamrun is particularly inexpensive, and you’ll never be out of food options from all over the world if you live there!
Kurt, OLS Community Manager – Maltese