Malta best place to live, for expatriates

International Living Magazine has recommended Malta as the best place to live at.

It said that in a quality of life survey, two countries tied first place for the best climate in the world but only one was safe, with a flat 15% tax rate, excellent health care and ocean views…

192 countries were surveyed and Malta and Zimbabwe came first in the climate category but the African country lost out because it is unsafe, has runaway inflation and political unrest.

The magazine's Liz Ayling said that Malta was historically a melting pot, but never more so than now.

"Expats will inevitably bump into expats given Malta’s size—roughly twice the size of Washington D.C. It’s easy to socialize with your countrymen.

"Crime hardly exists, the locals are hospitable and the health care is excellent. There aren’t any property taxes and the US expats who benefit most from living here are those who somehow retain some earnings from elsewhere that they then elect to get taxed in Malta, at 15%."

Expat Barbara Bode said she had grown to love the lifestyle, food and quality of life when she lived in Malta.

“The sunny, hot summers marked by fireworks announcing Saints’ Day festivals of music, dancing, and food… Every day is like a holiday,” she said .