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Initially I'd like to start by saying that with the kids, obviously go for Malta. Your eldest will soon be hitting university and that's in Malta, so you'd be saving a lot on transport. Even in general the variety of state schools is better in Malta and 100% sure better for colleges. There's something you should know about state schools, you don't get to choose your state school, it is allocated to you according to your locality. Up until two years ago, the state education was split as follows;

3-4 yr olds: Kindergarten - Mixed
5-10: Primary school - Mixed
11-15: Secondary school - Girls and boys in different schools
16-18: College (We call it sixth form) - Mixed again
18+: University of Malta

However now they'll be introducing middle school which will divide secondary school into two, and also, they're back to mixing girls and boys in this time too so at all points, there will no longer be division.

As for college, Malta offers 2 state colleges, 2 church colleges and I believe 3 private ones. The church colleges only cost about 400 a year and if you can afford that I'd personally recommend them both (Saint Aloysius College and De La Salle College) over the state colleges (Junior College and G.F. Naxxar Sixth Form). However, either way, even if you decide to send them to the State ones, I can guarantee great teachers there too, although they will feel more at home at the Church colleges since they have about 1/10th of the students and the small numbers help them adapt.

Good luck on your move. As a student I could only give you the scholastic perspective of your move.

I wish you well and I don't wish to spoil your dream but.............
A shop! What kind of shop?
Have you really looked into this?
Have you ever been to Malta?
Sorry but, from what little you have told us I gain the impression that you may need to do a lot of research.
It will not be easy.

I think your 16 year old will struggle with schooling as he/she will have to start learning Maltese and may have to drop  a year. Very difficult time for a teenager to leave all their friends behind and start afresh!

Terry

Hi, thanx for your replies, first of all, yes I am in the early stages of my research, which is the whole reason for me joining this forum, for good advice and guidance. My partner has lots of family who originate from Malta and still live in Valletta to this day, so we would have some good support when we do make the move. As for our shop, we will be looking to open a Body Art shop in the future ie, tattoos and piercings. Which we are both trained and qualified in. My partner has been to Malta on many occasions so yes we have visited Malta. As for our 16 year old, she has already said she is happy to take a year out and find her feet while she's in Malta first, that is her choice, not ours.

So as I stated in my first bit of information I am looking for good advice, not dream shatterers. Thanx

Unfortunately dreams will be shattered by good advice!
If you chose to ignore good advice because it doesn't fit your dream then you will invariably be disappointed.

Plenty of good advice on here that you can ignore.

Good luck

Terry

How are the last two posts on my blog 'good advice' ??? Just sounds abit judgemental and I've seen posts on other blogs that get lovely replies, I'm jus asking for advice, not silly people making silly statements. Like I sed I'm in the early stages of my research and I would like some advice on schools and areas etc. Don't need comments on our plans.

Ok if you do not see that, what advice what do you want?
Lies and misleading information?
Or a realistic appraisal?

Rent here for accommodation can be anything from €350 per month upwards + services.
Shop rental from €70 per day.
Then there are all the other outgoings, equipment, electricity, water, materials, registration and permits and probably mandatory training before issue of permits and licenses. All that is going to cost ( a lot) and for something that I expect many of us believe will not produce a living income.
Also, are your qualifications recognised in Malta?

We do not 'burst anyones 'bubble' for the fun of it. Quite the contrary - we provide realistic advice. Take it or leave it.

tammyh wrote:

How are the last two posts on my blog 'good advice' ??? Just sounds abit judgemental and I've seen posts on other blogs that get lovely replies, I'm jus asking for advice, not silly people making silly statements. Like I sed I'm in the early stages of my research and I would like some advice on schools and areas etc. Don't need comments on our plans.

And before you call anyone 'silly' (a nonsensical word) I suggest that you listen to those who have done it and got the 'T' shirt. Otherise you could be in for a hell of a shocking disappointment and a financial loss.

See, that's what I was looking for in my first post, abit of constructive advice, not comments on my plans. Simple 

redmik wrote:

tammyh wrote:

How are the last two posts on my blog 'good advice' ??? Just sounds abit judgemental and I've seen posts on other blogs that get lovely replies, I'm jus asking for advice, not silly people making silly statements. Like I sed I'm in the early stages of my research and I would like some advice on schools and areas etc. Don't need comments on our plans.

And before you call anyone 'silly' (a nonsensical word) I suggest that you listen to those who have done it and got the 'T' shirt. Otherise you could be in for a hell of a shocking disappointment and a financial loss.

Which is why I entered this forum because I can see a lot of people who have been there and got the T-shirt, I was hoping some 'nice' people would advise though, but I suppose you can't win them all hey!! And yes our qualifications are recognised 'worldwide' I have already checked this!!!

Hi tammy,

the son of a very good Maltese friend of mine runs a tattoo shop here in Sliema. If you have some specific questions I'll be happy to try and get answers.

As to the best area and schools makes more difficult answering and could well depend on answers to the best location for a tattoo shop.

In the central area  (around Sliema/St. Julians) you might have a problem fitting in private and shop rent for very long with the amount you quoted. You certainly can't live in a place that is classed as a shop so what you would be looking for is a house with shop premises and a flat above. For that it might be a good idea to use the services of an agent.

There are lots of shops for rent if you choose to separate shop and flat.

Sounds like your on a major project with lots of homework to be done.I wish you luck.

Cheers
Ricky

ricky wrote:

Hi tammy,

the son of a very good Maltese friend of mine runs a tattoo shop here in Sliema. If you have some specific questions I'll be happy to try and get answers.

As to the best area and schools makes more difficult answering and could well depend on answers to the best location for a tattoo shop.

In the central area  (around Sliema/St. Julians) you might have a problem fitting in private and shop rent for very long with the amount you quoted. You certainly can't live in a place that is classed as a shop so what you would be looking for is a house with shop premises and a flat above. For that it might be a good idea to use the services of an agent.

There are lots of shops for rent if you choose to separate shop and flat.

Sounds like your on a major project with lots of homework to be done.I wish you luck.

Cheers
Ricky

Hi Ricky, thanx for the message, yes I wouldnt mind separating the flat from the shop and I would just like to know, how much your friend have to pay for his shop monthly or was it more beneficial to buy it outright?!

I know that's quite personal but it would really help up in our research.

Thanx
Tammy x

Also would any of the tattoo artists that you know be interested in taking my partner on when we move there until we find our feet?? Big ask I know, but any help goes a long way!! 

Thanx.
Tammy x

Hi Tammy,

I'll try and get the answers. It will take a few days though.

The question about taking in a partner is directly related to the amount of business and the competitive market! There are lots of tatooists and business has a lot to do with mouth-to-mouth promotion!

Cheers
Ricky

OK, lesson here for all. Our responses were based upon your first posting.
Apart from your request regarding schools that first posting contained very little relevant information.

We will be making the move with around £10,000 and we would love to hear what type of accommodation this amount would get us for the long term whilst we are trying to set up our own shop?? If anyone knows of any shops that have accommodation built in with the price, that would be great!! Also if an available shop was close to a good state school, I think all our dreams would be made.

My response to that was written based upon the impression that first post gave me. So I asked, what kind of shop etc.
Only later did more relevant information come to light.

The 'T' shirt reference was not about me but about others on here. Others who have resided here a lot longer and have business experience here.

So, perhaps, you will understand that had you given more relevant information at the beginning then some responses would have been different and you would not have had to resort to sarcasm directed towards people who were trying to help you.

We are here to try to help.

ricky wrote:

Hi Tammy,

I'll try and get the answers. It will take a few days though.

The question about taking in a partner is directly related to the amount of business and the competitive market! There are lots of tatooists and business has a lot to do with mouth-to-mouth promotion!

Cheers
Ricky

Okay Ricky, thank you, I look forward to ur reply, if u wanna pm me that would be better. Thanx for your help. X

You'll need more than £10K to house a family for the long term. Quality accommodation can be expensive and 'non-residents' are charged higher rates on many things from electricity to broadband.

Many properties have extreme problems with damp and mould which will cost a small fortune to heat during the winter and youÂ’ll need to keep an eye out for unscrupulous landlords (there are many). Wages are low and many places are in a state of terminal decline (such as St. Paul's Bay, Buggiba) with shops and bars closed all over the place.

I would have a serious look at the economic fundamentals of this country before making any serious commitments.

fortunately many peopel are happy here but before moving here permanently visit it for 2-3months on a short let... then decide - dont make a long term decision until you have been here a for good while  - things change - you will change -  be aware its heaven to some and its hell to others - we are all different - we all have different needs etc... the old saying about malta being a marmite island is very very true.
so bear it in mind