Valletta - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Almost everyone lives in apartments, mostly in Sliema. There are also apartments scattered elsewhere throughout the island as well as some townhouses. We have three children and received a lovely townhouse in quiet Attard, which is a 10 minute walk from the embassy. We have a very large basement garage and a small pool and we're very happy with our housing. However, most housing in Malta is going to be much smaller than what you might be used to: living rooms are extremely small (ours barely fits a couple chairs) and you probably won't receive as many bedrooms as you would elsewhere. Our house is a 3 bedroom but is listed as a 4 bedroom because it includes the main floor den as a bedroom (it's not). Commutes to and from Sliema can be anywhere from 25-50 minutes. It's not a very easy place to drive in and out of, but the waterfront view is lovely. It's often very loud in Sliema and the fireworks are never ending - some dogs have a very hard time there. One big advantage to Sliema is that you'll probably be able to have a bit more walkable life and meet up with other mission friends a bit more easily. No matter where you live, your kids will probably not be able to walk to/play with friends by themselves without arranging and taking them to play dates. That's the biggest thing we wish we had in Malta. Your kids will only be able to run and play if you take them to one of the few parks that have enough open space. I believe I read that Malta has the highest obesity rate in the EU and I bet this is a contributing factor. - Sep 2025
Housing was phenomenal and I loved it. Most housing within the embassy housing pool will be apartments, but I found them to be generously sized and comfortably appointed. Many of us were house in Sliema, but there is housing available throughout the areas near the embassy. Commute times could vary, but commute times were generally no more than 20-25 minutes by car. Traffic accidents or road construction could extend commutes by hours - I only experienced this 1-2 times in three years, so it was not an issue for me. Note that the roads are generally narrow, with two-lane streets not always being wide enough for two cars to actually drive in opposing directions. Parking spaces in lots or garages are also quite small, with no room really to open your car door once you've parked. Expect wear and tear on your car. - May 2023
Most people live in flats because that is the style in the popular areas. There are houses, but not many and they are not in the up-tempo areas. We live in a nice townhouse. In my opinion, all the provided housing is very nice. With that said, everyone seems to complain about something. Anyone we have had come over that has to pay for their lodging is stunned by what we have. It’s Europe, so things are smaller, but you still have decent space relative to most people. Most rentable housing is landlord furnished. The economy is doing well so rents are high and increasing. Due to the humidity, like a lot of places, mold can be an issue. - Oct 2018
Housing here is decent. Post was formerly Leased Quarters Allowance but has transitioned to STL housing pool. It is mostly apartments down near the water, but there are a few folks towards the center of the island with nice views and closer to the Embassy. The transition to STL seemed quite rough and the first crop of apartments selected have been interesting, but post seems to be doing better with most recent selections. Many expats live in apartments in the Sliema area, but it's a quite busy area. A couple of the remaining LQA people have large villas with pools, which are nice. Commute from the Sliema area can be 20 min and it can be an hour. Traffic is light in the summer and brutal in October when school starts and in the winter when it rains (Maltese cannot drive in the rain, they can barely drive at all). - Sep 2016
This is a LQA (Living Quarters Allowance) presently for the embassy community, so you will be provided allowance money and required to find your own quarters. We find this to be a GREAT treat and have found a lovely home in a small village, but many complain that the allowance is too low and congregate in an area called Sliema/Saint Julians. The LQA is also your utility money, so you have to watch your budget. Utilities in Malta are quite pricey. Most people live in beautiful high rise apartments or duplexes on seafront areas of Sliema or Saint Julians. A handful live in homes in outlying areas. Ours, for example, is a 2 story home with 3 bedrooms and lovely garden with inground pool. The embassy encourages against "houses of character" which are old homes (some up to 500 years), many with maintenance or mildew/mold issues. Part of our home is 400+ years, but it has been updated and built onto. The options here vary greatly depending on your needs, likes and convenience wants. Most commute between 10-25 minutes one way to/from the Embassy. The schools are also close and offer bus service. - Jan 2014
Stone. - Feb 2010
Ample private homes with pools and sea-front condos available.15 minute average from anywhere to anywhere on the island. - Feb 2010
Sea-view condos or inland houses with pools. Commute to US Embassy is 15 - 30 minutes. They say that no point on the island is more than 30 minutes away. - Jul 2009
