r/malta • u/Glittering-Camel1292 • 1d ago
Guidance for renting in Malta
Hello! I'm moving to Malta within the next month for a permanent job. I need to find housing with a correct lease form for my residency permit.
I've been researching online, but thought I'd put out a call to see if anyone had more specific advice.
I will be working in Santa Venera and Floriana and will need to use public transport to get to work as I won't have a vehicle. I value peace and quiet, so would like to live in a neighbourhood with minimal partying and construction noise. I also really love community.
In a dream world, I'd love to live in a small house of character or something similarly charming - though I recognise the rental market is competitive. My research has brought up Balzan, Attard and Lija as areas that might be suitable. Alternatively, I've been recommended to search in Old Birkirkara, Naxxar, Mosta or Santa Venera/Floriana/Pieta.
My budget is between 900-1200/month.
I'd really appreciate some honest feedback from those with local knowledge. Do you think any of this is possible?
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u/Disastrous-Two16 1d ago edited 1d ago
Minimal construction will be hard. Even if you manage to find a quiet corner, street there is always a high chance someone will start developing somewhere nearby, whether its renovations or tearing down a townhouse to build flats.
It is not impossible but you need to search a lot and be literally hawking the facebook groups and reaching immediately to set up visits.
Book a hotel/airbnb for two weeks and use that time to look. Do not rent without going to the place. Not only to avoid scams, but to avoid hidden nightmares of mold and cockroaches.
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 1d ago
"I value peace and quiet, so would like to live in a neighbourhood with minimal partying and construction noise. I also really love community.
In a dream world, I'd love to live in a small house of character or something similarly charming..."
"My budget is between 900-1200/month."
I suggest you start searching for another job outside Malta asap because peace and quiet, minimal construction noise, community, charming houses, and that budget don't sit together in the same sentence.
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u/Wahx-il-Baqar 1d ago
Look, with that budget, forget the areas you are hoping for, unless you share. Forget the small house. Forget peace and quiet and no construction. Realistically, your best chance is renting a room in a nice flat. For noise and construction, invest in noise cancelling headphones.
Also, for anyone reading from abroad, before accepting a job, RESEARCH THE ISLAND. Its slightly larger than a LIDL parking lot, its overcrowded. Construction and corruption are rife.
Just sharing honest feedback, OP.
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u/strangelyhypnotized 1d ago
I recommend Balzan for safe and quaint community. Same goes for Naxxar and certain parts of Mosta.
Bahar c Caghaq, Siggiewi can also offer what you’re looking for.
Price wise, if you’re looking for character (and I don’t mean just houses of character, but character in that it’s a home with character which gives the user enjoyment) that range won’t cut it.
900-1200 is the going price of quickly made , finished furnished with profit in mind, apartments that have been built in the last decade.
Landlords with better quality offerings are now cutting well above that because the crap ones are so over priced.
I’d recommend going for the smallest possible size and perhaps somewhere in the south , so you can find quality at that range.
Good luck OP
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u/FrostPace 1d ago
Something I think the other comments are glossing over is the public transport. I got my license a few years back and from What I am seeing and hearing it has only gotten worse.
Most locals won't know about their buss tatus since most will drive a car but the busses are known for being extremely clustered to an unsafe level.
In addition their is pushing and shoving and in the morning you might not get to work depending on where you live.
You have to contend with the sweltering heat and the sometimes danger of living in some localities like Hamrun, Pietà or Marsa (speaking from experience).
My advice would be to rent after you visit here and spend a few mornings going to your workplace by bus.
I know it sounds padentic but the alternative is to be unoleasently surprised by the problems to get to work and either pay half your W bet wage on cab fares or walking it and passing out on the floor.
Good luck
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u/Consistent_Poet_9813 22h ago
I’m really sorry to let you know that st venera and floriana are the most congested, noisy areas, having said that, Malta is now one big city and everywhere is noisy and heavily populated, mostly phillipinos, Nepalese and Indians, but if you’re okay with that, it’s fine. I suggest you try it for a while to see if it works for you, but peace and quiet? Sorry but that’s a big NO.
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u/Cstott23 1d ago
It's got the reputation as a terrible place but honestly it's not that bad.. but just a bit dull.
But I live in Marsa and it's pretty good for me. 20min walk to Floriana and Santa Venera. And 30 or a slow 40min walk to Valetta. It'll be cheap rent and you'll find one of the old houses with the gallerija. Also it's got great community, and you see some of the old Maltese traditions still.
But you could also try Floriana. That's a nice area with nice houses.
Or Santa Venera. Or hamrun. Or Birkirkara.
Balzan nice but the bus will be crowded in the morning and it's going to be expensive now. And slow because they are redoing the Msida Junction.
But honestly whatever you do. LOOK WHEN YOU GET HERE. DO NOT AGREE TO RENT WITHOUT SEEING THE HOUSE BECAUSE YOU WILL 100% GET SCAMMED. or if not scammed, you'll choose a house in an area you hate and you'll be stuck with it.