Hello

Welcome on Expat.com Swanny,

I moved the discussion to the Malta forum

I'm a bit confused to reports on the winter climate, I need the warmth and thought Malta would be ideal with much better winter's than the uk, some people are telling me that although it's sunny it's also very cold in the winter, is this true?

One man's view:  Maltese winters are almost certainly milder than UK ones.  Snow is pretty well unheard of.  It can still get damp and grey and cold though.  As a benchmark, night-time temperatures recently dropped to 4 degrees C, and that was sufficiently unusual to make news in the papers.

Bear in mind also that dwellings anywhere are built to cope with the most usual climatic conditions.  So UK houses are built to keep the heat in during cold winters, while Maltese houses are built to keep the heat out during hot summers.  This means they can get cold indoors in winter - indeed, surprisingly to a Brit, it can often be colder indoors than outdoors, especially if it's sunny outside.

Nicer than a British winter, I'd say, but still not a warm sunny paradise.

Let's see if others agree with me.

Hi, I also agree that the winters are colder than you would probably expect and it can be cold in the house.  A good heater and you are fine though. 

However, this is the same in all med countries.  Having lived in Spain for several years, the winter situation is the same, the houses are built for a warmer climate so they can feel colder in the winter.  I would still say it is a better climate than the UK though.  It is a different kind of cold, if that makes any sense. 
When looking for an area to live, also keep in mind your daughter.  At her age, the ability to maintain a social life is very important and although you have a very good bus system here, try not to be in the middle of nowhere.  Unless you want to spend half your life being a taxi, (I speak from experience as parent to a 16 year old).


Hope that helps.

I agree with you JohnS!

Without heating you will almost certainly be cold indoors during the winter - the houses are generally cold and damp. So, you need to heat the houses in winter, but then the cost of heating can get quite expensive - so it really comes down to a personal equation of comfort vs cost. For ourselves, we tried to save some money and routinely would be wearing thick fleeces/hats/coats in the apartment at night to watch TV etc. We moved here from a place that has ridiculously cold winters (Minnesota, USA) but cheap energy and overall we were more comfortable in our house in Minnesota during the winter than we are in our apartment in the (much milder Maltese) winter.

Tim

Not too worried about the prospect of colder houses in the winter more concerned with seeing some blue sky and the sun so I can get out and about and enjoy a warmer winter climate, thanks for your comments. I had hoped to come out this winter for a couple of weeks but with the weather we've had Iv'e not been able to get around much, not much point coming in the good weather as I need to experience what the winter is like. Can anyone recommend an area to try for a couple of weeks? preferably near the coast and not to hilly, I'd be very gratefull for your opinions.

Hi Swanny !  Blue skies and sea in Malta. Sun's out.  No Doubt  you 'll enjoy  being here. With regards to mobility you may be better off with an apartment  in a central area such as Sliema , St Julian's . Don;t rely on the state of pavements though. Best if you come out here and stay in a Sliema hotel such as the Diplomat or the Palace and see for yourself.

sunshinemalta wrote:

Hi Swanny !  Blue skies and sea in Malta. Sun's out.  No Doubt  you 'll enjoy  being here. With regards to mobility you may be better off with an apartment  in a central area such as Sliema , St Julian's . Don;t rely on the state of pavements though. Best if you come out here and stay in a Sliema hotel such as the Diplomat or the Palace and see for yourself.

Thanks for that, strange enough at last warming up nicely in Eastbourne as well, about 16c today.

A friend has also recommended St Julian's I'll see if I can find a website for those hotels you mention.

nice place here man ... you will love it