Read Malta's Newspapers Before You Travel There

For a small Mediterranean island, there are a lot of big guidebooks devoted to Malta's many attractions. If you just want to see the usual tourist sites, stick to the guidebooks. But if you want an insider's view of Malta, pick up one of the island's local newspapers.

Malta has a few English-language newspapers. The two dailies include The Times of Malta and The Independent. There is also a Sunday edition of The Times.

Any one of these newspapers will let you in on the local activities and the comings and goings of the people who live in the villages and towns of Malta. The papers are especially useful if you think you may move to Malta. Here's what the local Maltese newspaper can do for you:

Culture and Entertainment
Tourists are usually directed to tourist places and other activities that generate tourist income, such as archaeological sites. But if you want to get a taste of the real cultural life that the natives experience, the Malta Arts section of The Times will inform you about the events that attract the locals-- music, theatre, dance, wine tastings or other kinds of cultural events. And many of these are free to the public.

Crime and Safety
People are always talking about how safe Malta is. But how safe is safe? By reading the local news and the police record in Malta's newspapers, you can get a good idea about the most common crimes in Malta. You'll also see where these crimes occur so you can avoid staying in or hanging around these areas.

Employment Opportunities
If you have any intention to work in Malta, look at the classifieds and see what the job market is like. There are many foreign companies based in Malta that often rely on the newspapers to find applicants. So you may even spot something you want to submit your CV or resume to while you're in Malta. Many people have started out as tourists in Malta and have ended up getting a job and staying.

Real Estate
Interested in rental, housing or commercial properties? Again, take a look at the classifieds which will clue you in on what real estate is available in Malta--and what it costs. The newspaper often lists property directly through the owners, therefore, bypassing real estate agents who charge a half month's fee to the renter, and of course, a fee of the purchase cost.

Politics
What issues are hot in the area--pollution, bad roads, the environment? Read the editorials, opinion columns and and Letters to the Editor. This is where people will express their feelings about what really matters to them. It's here that you may even find out how the people feel about foreigners in their midst.

Legal and Immigration Issues
There are a few columnists who devote their space to answering readers' questions about residing or working in Malta. If you are considering staying for longer than three months, you can often find out about visa regulations by reading these columns and even get contact information for government offices and other resources.

Retail and Business
It's no secret that tourists and foreigners are often charged higher rates than the locals for things such as rent and even products from small shops. Want to buy things at the local--and not the elevated--tourist rate? Look at the ads and see what deals and sales are on while you're there. When the price is listed, you will be charged at that price no matter who you are.

The local newspaper is better than any tourist guide in helping you become an insider in Malta. For more information, check out The Times of Malta .

Ilene Springer lives and teaches EFL in Malta. She is author of An-American-in-Malta.com