What are Balzan, Attard and Lija like?

[eliseegner]

Hi all,

Could anyone advise what Balzan, Attard and Lija are like? My partner and I are moving in July. We'll be looking for work in and around Sliema/Valletta I imagine but at the moment live in rural North Devon so don't fancy anywhere too busy. Our requirements are as follows:

- Fairly upmarket/desirable area (nothing rundown!)
- Few convenience shops within walking distance
- Either open countryside or beach in walking distance
- 15/20min drive from Sliema/Busy areas we could potentially gain employment, but don't want to live anywhere too built up

Do Balzan/Attard/Lija sound like they might fit the bill? If not, could anyone suggest anywhere? We liked the feel of Mosta and Mellieha best when we visited but feel we need to be closer to Sliema/Valletta for work.

Any advice would be a huge help as unfortunately we won't be able to visit again before we move.
Thanks

[maxine]

If you want to replicate North Devon then it has to be Mellieha

Attard is kinda pretty but too much traffic for me - can't help on Balzan or Lija.

What sort of work do you do?

[eliseegner]

Thanks Maxine,

We loved Mellieha but just worried about work. I'm in marketing and my partner is in Sales. We'd both turn our hands to pretty much anything to make it work but think we may struggle on minimum wage jobs.

We'll be bringing enough to get by for 3mnths so hopefully might find something suitable in that time. How long, roughly, does it take to get from Mellieha to Sliema?

Thanks again,
Elise

[maxine]

Sorry for the delay in replying - it's between 20 and 30 minutes to Sliema from Mellieha depending upon traffic but it's probably not a journey you would enjoy twice every day.

I suggest that you find a short term rental property and then get jobs and then review it after 6 months. After a couple of months of 'Island Life' traveling any distance can become a chore