Almost two in three participants in a Mela Bonġu Facebook poll said they would consider leaving Malta to live in Sicily, while the discussion beneath the poll highlighted how work, family, retirement and quality of life could influence that decision.
Published on 2 September, the poll asked: “Would you consider moving from Malta to live in Sicily?” Readers could use a wow reaction to vote yes and a heart reaction to vote no, while the comments gave them space to explain their views.
Nearly 63% of designated responses were yes
At the time the results were captured, 669 people had selected the wow reaction and 398 had selected the heart reaction. Of these 1,067 designated responses, 62.7% voted yes and 37.3% voted no.
A further 158 likes were visible but were not included in the calculation because likes had not been assigned to either answer. The post also displayed 529 comments, including discussion and replies, which were not counted as additional votes.
Quality of life attracted some readers
Beyond the reaction totals, the comments revealed a wide range of views. Some readers said they had already relocated, while others said they would never consider leaving Malta.
Among those attracted to Sicily, a quieter lifestyle was a recurring theme. Readers mentioned nature, countryside and open spaces, while some contrasted these with their frustrations about traffic, construction, noise and crowding in Malta.
One commenter who said they had retired to Sicily described the move as a search for peace and tranquillity rather than a rejection of Malta. Another said they had moved the previous year and considered it their best decision.
Others were interested in retiring in Sicily, buying a holiday home or dividing their time between the two islands, suggesting that relocation would not necessarily mean cutting their ties with Malta.
Finding work could make or break the decision
Employment emerged as an important practical concern. Several readers questioned whether they would be able to find suitable work in Sicily, distinguishing between moving with a pension or existing income and relocating while still needing employment.
Remote working was another consideration. Some said they would consider moving if they could keep their job in Malta or support themselves through online work.
The comments therefore added an important qualification to the poll result. For some people, being open to Sicily depended heavily on how they could earn a living once there.
Family and attachment to Malta matter too
Family circumstances also influenced people’s answers. Some said they would only consider relocating if their children moved with them, while others suggested it might become an option later in life.
Among those opposed to moving, attachment to Malta was a recurring theme. Some described Malta as their homeland, expressed pride in their roots and said they would remain despite the country’s problems.
Others were happy to visit Sicily but did not see it as somewhere they would make their permanent home, drawing a distinction between enjoying a destination on holiday and experiencing everyday life there.
Readers also raised questions about healthcare, taxation, property security and access to services. These were individual concerns expressed in the discussion and should not be interpreted as independently verified comparisons between Malta and Sicily.
Not everyone voting no wanted to stay in Malta
A separate group said they would consider leaving Malta, but would choose somewhere other than Sicily. Alternatives mentioned included the UK, Australia, northern Italy and other parts of Europe.
A no vote in this poll therefore does not necessarily mean someone is opposed to living abroad. It only indicates that they did not select yes when asked specifically about moving to Sicily.
The personal experiences shared were also mixed. While some commenters who said they had relocated spoke positively about their decision, another who reported having lived in Sicily for seven years said they would not choose to return permanently.
What the result actually tells us
The comments provide useful context for the reaction totals, but they are not a separate statistical breakdown. Some people gave brief answers, others discussed their personal circumstances and the total comment count included replies between readers.
The poll was voluntary and reflects the responses of people who encountered and chose to participate in Mela Bonġu’s Facebook post. It is not representative of Malta’s population.
It also asked whether people would consider moving, rather than whether they had made definite plans to relocate.
Among the 1,067 designated responses recorded, however, considering a move to Sicily was the more popular answer. The discussion suggests that turning that possibility into reality would depend on much more than the destination itself.
What would matter most to you when deciding whether to stay in Malta or build a life elsewhere?
