Living in Gozo, but working in Malta. Can it be done ?

[zac6969]

Hi Everyone

I have the "chance" to work at the HSBC call centre in Malta (Swater I think), but we really want to live on Gozo.

Has anyone got any experience of "commuting" from Gozo to Malta on a full time basis ? And is it actually feasible to do it ?

Regards

Z

[gozomark]

Several hundred workers and students commute to Malta every day, so its certainly possible, but arduous.

ps did you know HSBC has a call centre in Gozo as well ? Not sure how its function compares to the one in Malta

[zac6969]

Hi Mark

I spent the month of August in Marsalforn, and did come across the HSBC call centre in Xewkija during my research for employment. I think it's function is to service Maltese speaking customers, and as I am an English speaker (UK resident at the mo), I think opportunities may be limited.

My Maltese learnt during the summer was fairly basic conversational I'm afraid.

Regarding the travel across to Malta, I used to commute from North Essex to Central London each day (1.5 hours door to door on crowded trains/tubes) so am used to a commute. However long term, I think I would like to get work on Gozo but realise opportunties are limited.

Z

[gozomark]

Did you see this thread on working at HSBC call centre ?
http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/ ... light=hsbc

[zac6969]

Yep, I did see that post.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who works there what it is actually like.

The "commuting" is definately a concern. One of my reasons for leaving London is to get away from endless travelling, which is why I am now thinking more about trying to get work on Gozo.

I read that HSBC provide a mini bus from Cirkewwa for Gozitan employees so that may help a bit, not sure how this would actually work with shifts etc.

[sliemawanderer]

The main issue with this is that the ferries get cancelled sometimes in winter due to weather conditions ?

[gozomark]

ferries very rarely get cancelled due to weather conditions, certainly a lot less frequently than cancellations on the London Underground

With the new harbour at Mgarr, and the double harbour at Cirkewwa, I doubt more than 10 ferries are cancelled a year now, out of nearly 10,000 a year.

[browny08]

We are in the same boat ( if you excuse the pun).
I will need to work on malta but really want to live on Gozo.
Can you get ferry discounts for travelling daily or shall I buy a boat?

[gozomark]

Frequent traveller prices

1. a set number of journeys
http://www.gozochannel.com/frequenttravel.htm

However, these are still more expensive than the cheap tickets Gozo residents can get by showing an ID card with a Gozo address - just € 1.15 on foot or € 8.15 for driver and car, versus 4.65 and 15.70 for non-Gozitan residents

2. There is also a commuter card
http://www.gozochannel.com/dailycommuter.html

This works out cheaper than using a Gozo ID card, but only if you use all 50 tickets in the 90 days

[browny08]

Thats great thanks Mark.

Where/ how do I sign up for the classified thingy?

Martin

[browny08]

Sorry Mark,

are those prices one way or return?

ta

[gozomark]

Details of the recommended suppliers forum are on the following link

http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/ ... =suppliers

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Ferry prices are return - you only pay in one direction

[browny08]

all done and paid up

[gozomark]

Thank you You are our 80th supporter

[serendipidy]

Hello

Thanks, Mark for posting the commuter card link. Seems like a good thing to apply for, even though 50 trips I will do in 2.5 months or so. Cool thing is, it includes a car.

I need your feedback, please....

I work in Malta (night shifts 8pm to 7am - 5 days on - 4 days off) and am playing with the thought of moving to Gozo as renting is much cheaper over there (incl. pool ).

I would like to get some opinions regarding if it is a hassle commuting to Malta on a daily basis, the costs of commuting, the likelyhood of the ferry not working, which areas are quiet and nice to live in (3-bedroom house with a pool would be great) etc etc etc.


Thanks so much..and I look forward to reading your replies.

Cheers