Hi can't comment on the school situation but I can assure you that San Gwann is a nice enough little place with all the amenities you would require including good transport links to the rest of Malta but to be honest with you even if you did move to Sliema or St Julians then you would hardly be over run by tourists as each area have there quite locals places, with regards to beach access well as Malta is relatively small and San Gwann s relatively central then you are never any more than about 10-15 minutes or so from the sea, the best sandy beaches for you would be either Mellieha or Golden Bay both in the North of the island, hope this has helped slightly but please feel free to ask if you have any other questions about Malta.

Regards
Sliema2

Thanks for your reply, Sliema2!

Good to know that I'm looking in the right area for accommodation then. I have found a lot of information from reading through the forum but I did have one or two other questions

My middle daughter is very keen to have riding lessons, are there stables that offer lessons as opposed to just trekking? What might the cost be?

Also what about swimming lessons for children, are these easily available?

Lastly, shopping. Although I am looking forward to a change in diet, my kids might not be so enthusiastic. Should I bring gallons of Ribena, for example, or is there a range of familiar foods to be found locally?

Although Malta is a small country it has all the amenities and activities that you would expect in the uk and some you have probably never heard or thought of so I would expect that your children will receive swimming and riding lessons somewhere on the island, with regards to shopping then no need to worry, Malta has a fine selection of shops to buy food in from little corner grocers to big supermarkets such as sisamalta where you can buy all your favourites.

Prosit
Sliema2

Thanks for that!

I've been on a few 'assignments' as trailing spouse in the past and the best policy is to find out as much as you can before your feet touch ground zero!

Malta is, perhaps, more civilised than I'm used to!

Hi sdwill

if you post a list of things you are worried you might not find in Malta, I'll let you know what I've seen in the shops, but at Sliema2 writes, shouldn't be a problem - eg the following are available

marmite
lemon grass, coconut milk, corriander (I love cooking Thai !)
all the usual breakfast cereals
parsnips and brussel sprouts at xmas time

riding lessons are to be had in Malta at Marsa - not sure on cost, but should be alot cheaper than UK

sorry, nothing to add on schools

Hi there and thanks for the offer!
I was thinking more in terms of stuff like

Ribena (blackcurrant cordial)
Apple juice (this is can be hard to find in some countries)
Chocolate spread of the Nutella variety
Maryland Chocolate chip cookies
Honey Nut shredded wheat
Nappy pants for older bedwetters

This may seem a bit trivial but could lighten my shipping allowance by a good few kilos as well as making 3 homesick children a bit happier

of your list, first 4 definitely, as I've bought them !

Honey Nut shredded wheat - not seen, but will check next time go shopping
Nappy pants for older bedwetters - don't have kids, but will check

Excellent

That's really helpful to know, thank you. The nappy pants are called Drynites by Huggies for 4-7 yrs, maybe someone else has seen them about or maybe I can wean my daughter off them by the end of Feb

Now all I need to know about are the schools! Verdala School is in Pembroke, in the middle of an old fort. This is my preferred option, but websites can be deceiving!

Someone out there must have an opinion?

I would try e-mailing Smart supermarket - its one of the largest supermarkets in Malta

http://www.smart.com.mt/
info@smart.com.mt

they should be able to tell you if they stock what you want, or register and see what they have online - under baby products, nappies there are a number of huggies products - couldn't see the one you mentioned, but could be called something different

under canned and packaged food - breakfast cereals - there are 80 products, incl Honey nut shredded wheat 500g for lm 1.13 = about £1.90 - don't know what it costs in the UK, cereals tend to be more expensive as bulky for transport

hope this helps

Mark

gozomark, you're a superstar!

Nothing like a bit of internet shopping, lol!

Thank you very much indeed
Just had a peep at the site and they do home delivery! At this rate I can stock up the larder before we move in

Blimey sdwill,

How lucky you are to be living in Malta for 6months!! The advice that Sliema2 and gozomark have given you should put your mind at rest regarding provision availability in Malta. I can remember a time when the Island used to run out of the odd commodity but that's history and whatever you want is generally available today.

Regarding schools I just wonder if ingliza has read your postings since she lives in Malta and would probably have some info for you. If not I'm sure that someone on the Island must be reading these postings and can furnish you with some info,

Trev

Hi sdwill, I am a British mum living in Malta.
taken today: Scotts Supermarket - Attard

Huggies Drynites; 30kgs size x 11pants or 40kgs size x 9pants both cost Lm3.09c

I expect you have been through the Smart supermarket site that gozomark gave you and will see that everything you asked for is available in Malta - eg. Ribena various size bottles, no added sugar, all types/flavours, ready to drink little packs etc. Lots of different brands of apple juice costing 35cents - 45cents a litre. Over here you will find most UK brands of food, toiletries and detergents.

Where to live?
Agree with all Sliema2 says. Best to set up a few appointments with rental agents to see what you fancy. If you don't mind an appartment.
Sliema - Tower road, lovely sea view, you will have all the daily shops you need within walking distance, easy to take the kids for a swim just accross the road, nice seafront playground for the kids to get rid of excess energy summer evenings, and you will have the chance to meet other English speaking families.
Also these very nice appartments around the corner at St Julians:
http://www.portomaso.com.mt/portomaso/default.asp

If you fancy a more spacious house/villa you will probally need to move outwards to an area like San Gwann. Yes, this is a nice enough place, also plenty of shops close by, I have a friend who lives on the Mensija Valley, she has a lovely view, ideal for inviting people around for a BBQ - you may even be lucky enough to find a place with a private pool.

Best to have a look and see what suits you

School:
Yes, follow your instinct, I also think Verdala would be your 1st choice for your children. I am saying this only because you are going to be here for 6 months, approx 3 1/2 months school term time, and this school is the most suited for children who are only on the island for a short time. If you were planning to live here for longer I would suggest somewhere else. Although I have no experience with them myself, Chiswick, San Anton and San Andrea are very good schools that are often chosen by British ex-pats who settle here.
This site may answer any questions you may have regarding education
http://www.education.gov.mt/default.asp

Riding lessons:
Yes, there are most lessons at Marsa, but this might be nearer for you.
Pandy's Horse Riding School
Triq Giacchino Le Brun
PEMBROKE
Tel: 21377720

Swimming Lessons:
February will be a bit cold for outdoor swimming lessons.
http://www.mfa.com.mt/swimmingpool/ourservices.htm
The indoor pool at Ta'Qali offers a course of 12 one hour swimming lessons for Lm25.

When the weather is a bit warmer try here:
National Swimming Pool Complex
Maria Teresa Spinelli Street
Gzira
Tel: 21322884

Any thing else - let me know
Hope I have been of some help

This is why I love this site, excellent help there, I almost feel like renting for 6 months myself
Sarah

Dear Ingliza, thank you so much for such a comprehensive reply, particularly with reference to schools and accommodation.

I am really looking forward to coming to Malta. I think it will be a gentle but fascinating introduction to expat life for my children.

Deffinitely a big for ingliza.

Hats off to Ingliza, excellent work!

Here's one more question......... we've just found out that the housing budget will be about £800 per month. I've had a look at the Frank Salt website and this seems to be about enough for a decent apartment BUT we're really looking for a villa/bungalow.

What I'd like to know is if the properties on the website are the more 'expensive' options. I know estate agents usually have long lists that aren't always on the web. Are there any other good websites with rental property? What would be a reasonable price to pay for a 4-bed villa/bungalow with pool outside the most popular areas? We'd be looking towards the NE of Malta. Husband doesn't mind a bit of a commute (he's been commuting from UK to Milan for 18 months, lol) although traffic jams are no-one's idea of fun.

Thanks in anticipation

Yes, Frank Salt does have some expensive properties

I have had a look at http://www.dhalia.com I guess they are about the largest estate agents on the islands.
£800 works out at Lm500 -Lm520 ish, there are a few 4 bedroom villas with pools in that range, mostly in Mellieha at the top end of the island - by the way, it is my favorite part of the island! Nowhere is far over here, even with rush hour traffic, it wouldn't take more than an hour maximum for your husband to get to work in Valletta, and some nice new roads have been built leading up that way - thanks to the recent Commonwealth heads meeting

On the Dhalia site:
Ref No. P07221 - Lm400 a month, P127622 - Lm500 a month both at Mellieha.

Although these are a bit over your budget you may be able to haggle them down a bit.
Ref No. P072993 St Julians Lm550,

P073057 a semi at Kappara (San Gwann area) Lm600.

P070030 Mosta (nice central area) Lm600,

P072899, P114443, P113007 all at Mellieha Lm600 - the last two include a 2 bed granny flat as well, could be an advantage for friends and family to visit you.

Info about Mellieha http://www.mellieha.com
Best if you have a car here, but you will find all the shops you need in Mellieha village. If you need to visit Malta for a few days to view properties, the Pergola is a reasonable priced hotel in the center of Mellieha village. We stayed up there for a weekend in November, quite nice child-friendly (& they can arrange baby-sitting if needed) very clean and comfortable 4 star. Prices up to the end of February 2006 - Lm6 B&B per person per night, Lm10 half board.
http://www.pergolahotel.com.mt/index.htm

The very best of luck to you, a lot for you to sort out but once you have settled down, I am sure you will enjoy your time here. Malta is a nice place to live, especially if you have kids, low crime rate, decent weather most of the year and not having a language problem does help. There are none of the usual expat questions like "Where can I find an English speaking Doctor/Dentist/Chemist/Bank/Hairdresser ....etc?" We have just about everything in the shops.... and the are labels in English!!
Feel free to ask anything you have any doubts about, even a PM if you don't fancy posting on the site.

Dear Ingliza, thanks again for your excellent help

There are indeed some lovely properties available! I do like the look of the area around Mellieha as well, although it may be a bit far from Valetta.

Anyway, great to know that we should be able to find somewhere near to the budget we've got.

Susan