Apart from the fact that I feel priced out of my own country (after rent etc, I barely have 100 euros to my name at the end of the month, and I make 1,500 eurosmgross as a chemist with a degree, which is apparently “above average”, although I highly doubt that), I also do not agree with the direction this government is taking.

Malta has entered a bubble, much like China. It is going to pop, and soon. I do not wish to be here when that happens. This government has done a stellar job in raising cash so quickly, but there is absolutely no long term investment.

It’s much like a fire fuelled by hay versus one fuelled by a nice thick piece of oak – the former will burn quickly, and brightly, but the latter will give off heat long after the hay’s ashes have blown away.

That’s how I feel at home, and really, that’s how it’s supposed to be. That’s also how the practice of maintaining a holiday home came about.

It is all relative but yes, I actually think Gozo is a lot nicer than Malta. Even though it is smaller you get a better feeling of space, the seas are cleaner and the air is cooler/fresher as we haven’t built in the valleys there (yet).

As for it being “killingly boring” – de gustibus non est disputandum. I personally enjoy going there and not feeling any pressure to do anything or going anywhere. It is the only place I actually rest.

Then one really doesn’t waste up to three hours a day in traffic. Neither is one cooped up to the point of madness with hamalli every time one decides to venture outside the home.

Work? People survive very well on less well paid jobs than in Malta: probably because there’s no brag fest happening with every encounter, and also because due to that they’re freer in career choice within their field of specialisation. This is set narrower than in Malta.

Rarely do you see anyone tottering about ridiculously on heels they can’t walk on.

Entertaining happens for the most part in the home: shock horror. There’s no brag fest there either.

Water and electricity costs are higher in Malta.

Property prices outside city centres are affordable because the fiscal accent works against the private owner as a speculator and in favour of long term family set-ups. And there simply is more space.

There is no monopoly premium set for departure from the territory.

Malta needs a reality check.

There are so many aspects to take into account, tangible and intangible, I think your info factored in may need an update.

The South of France would be my personal choice and no, I’m not talking about the expensive French Riviera or Nice or Cannes.

A small house (medium to large by Malta standards), fully detached with a good sized (large by Maltese standards) garden and a pool in a decent area in the South of France goes for around 350,000 euro or thereabouts.

You still get the same Mediterranean weather, if that is what you like. And the beach is not more than a 10-20 minute drive away.

In Malta the same money gets you a house of character in some noisy village close to a church (who doesn’t love the sound of church bells every hour) with no available parking spaces in sight … ever, and they view of your neighbours underwear hanging on the clothes lines. Oh and forget the pool unless the internal yard is big enough to squeeze some paddling pool suitable for toddlers.

Of course we like to lament but objectively speaking, Malta is not at all bad. There are lots of people happily retired here.