The best places to live in the Mediterranean are not hard to list. As a matter of fact, living in the Mediterranean sounds like a dream all around. We´ve taken into consideration different factors to make our list of the 7 Dream Places Where You Can Live in The Mediterranean.
For a start, living in the Mediterranean doesn’t cost as much as you might think. The property prices in this list are all competitive and some are verging on a bargain. If you’re a “snowbird,” there is great potential for renting out the property for part of the year to earn some extra income. The Mediterranean is quite popular with Europeans on holiday.
It’s not just your wallet that could benefit if you choose to live in the Mediterranean. The food is incredible and the diet is often regarded as the healthiest in the world. It has been proven to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and also to slow down the aging process. In fact, some of the destinations in this part of the world are being recognized as best places to retire. If you decide to live in the Mediterranean you are in effect adding years onto your life.
Here is our list of the best places to live in the Mediterranean.
Malta – Historical Place in the Mediterranean
Malta, or known as The Republic of Malta is a small group of islands in the Mediterranean. Located south of Italy it has been a key strategic military position for as long as there have been wars, i.e. forever. During WW2 Malta was a submarine base for the allies. Due to its proximity to Italy, it was heavy bombed as it was in easy range of Italian bombers. An almost incomprehensible 6,557,231 kilograms of bombs hit The people of Malta. They resisted and earned the county a George Cross medal. This is now featured on the Maltese flag.
The cost of living in Malta is lower than in major cities in the U.S. and also cheaper than the big European cities. You can find reasonably priced fresh produce available here. Likewise, the supermarkets also stock all your imported favorites. Eating out and public transport is inexpensive. Due to the small size of the island owning a car is not necessary here. It is also not recommended it has one of the highest gas prices in the Mediterranean.
House prices are have been increasing. Yet, it is not as expensive as major city standards, especially outside of the usual ex-pat areas. Utilities are very reasonable. The national language is Maltese but English is widely spoken.
Malta has free public schooling and some of the best healthcare in the world. The prices for healthcare will keep your bank balance healthy. You can expect to pay around 15 Euros for a trip to the doctor.
The weather in Malta is very agreeable with over 300 days of sunshine each year. The Island is one of the world’s best diving locations. Lack of dangerous fish and excellent shipwrecks to explore are plentiful.
Crete, Greece
Crete is, according to legend, the birthplace of Greek God Zeus and the land of the feared Minotaur. It has a history dating back to at least 7000 BC and the birthplace of western civilization. It´s white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make it one of the best places to live in the Mediterranean.
Hippocrates claimed that the air in Crete contains healing powers. He used to prescribe visits to the island as a treatment for his sick patients. Despite all this, it is reassuring to know that health care in Crete is excellent. Unlike other major European countries, you will need health insurance. You will also find most doctors are fluent in English.
The cost of daily living in Crete compares to the majority of big U.S. cities. You can save money and eat healthily by purchasing fresh produce all year. Eating out is also cheaper than in the U.S. so you don’t have to worry about becoming a hermit. As you might expect on an island imported goods cost more and prices in tourist areas are also higher. Bills are less than in Europe although car insurance and petrol are steep. Public transport here is cheap and reliable.
While the Mediterranean is clear almost everywhere, nowhere is clearer than in Crete. You can see downwards through the water up to 40 meters. The waters are safe and Crete has some of the best beaches in Europe.
The terrain in Crete is diverse, there are beaches and mountains as well as Lakes Rivers. The climate in Crete is warm in the winter with the lowest average temperature still over 20 degrees.
Sicily, Italy
Forget about the gangster images portrayed in the movies. Sicily is the safest places to live in the Mediterranean. It is an island South of Italy with a reputation for having a strong national identity. Sicilian people see themselves as Sicilian rather than Italian.
Petrol prices in Italy are some of the most expensive around. Thus, one of the advantages of living in Sicily is that you can manage without a car. Furthermore, Insurance costs for cars are expensive. Consider it a blessing being without a car given the standard of driving here.
Sicily has both buses and trains. They are reasonably priced and efficient. You are eligible to The National Healthcare System once you register with the regional government. The average life expectancy here is over 80. The only drawback to Sicily is the educational system. Comparatively few children go to University. Many don’t even bother with high school. That’s not to say the teachers or schools are bad. To clarify, the culture here is just not geared towards academic excellence.
If you buy a property here you will get access to a permit to stay or long term visa fairly easily.
Eating out is generally affordable. Once again, if you enjoy fresh seasonal produce then you will find that your food bill is not too expensive. Forbes named Sicily “The Street Food Capital of Europe” in 2015, and has its own Pizza, the “sfincione”.
House prices are affordable. You can find yourself with a 2-3 bedroom property with a sea view for somewhere around $200,000.
Occitanie, France
Located in the south of France (colloquially referred to as the “Occitanie”). Languedoc was originally a province of France with its own capital city, Toulouse. It ranges from the Rhone valley to the Pyrenees and has 110 miles of varied Mediterranean coastline. This province has a Mediterranean climate unique to France. Driving down from northern France you pass through beautiful of green scenery. There is also acre upon acre of vineyard. The different soil types make the area ideal for growing wine. Languedoc estimates to have produced 1 in 10 wines in the world during the 20th century. It´s definitely one of the best places in the Mediterranean for wine lovers.
The cost of buying a property varies widely. Prices generally decrease as you move inland. The cost of living in here is cheaper than the U.S. or most major European cities. You can eat very well for a good price.
The public transport is good in the region. You can easily travel from city to city by either bus or train. However,
if you choose to live in a more isolated location you will need a car. Luckily insurance costs in France are very low and there is no car tax to pay.
Public healthcare in France is very good. You should register for your Carte Vitale as soon as possible. This will entitle you to free healthcare and about 70% off at the pharmacy. That is if you have a prescription.
The climate is dry and warm with hot summers and mild winters.
Slovenia
Better known for its winter sports, Slovenia also has very appealing summers. It is one of the best places in the Mediterranean with the best beaches. Located to the west of Italy, Slovenia has over 45 km of coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Although 45 km is not a vast amount of area, the beauty of the towns and coastline here more than makeup for it.
The cost of living in Slovenia is low and on a modest budget, you can live very nicely. Buying a house is cheap by U.S. standards and many of the houses have modern interiors. This is not always the case in the Mediterranean.
As well as the beaches Slovenia is a go-to destination for many other activities. White water rafting, skiing, hiking and caves to explore. The country has one of the most impressive lakes in the world. Especially beautiful is the vivid blue thermal-heated Lake Bled.
The Slovenian climate is continental. The summers are warm and average temperatures are 21 degrees in July. The winters here do get cold though with and you can expect to snow in the winter. If you are an active person Slovenia enables you to make the most of the beach and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
The healthcare system in Slovenia is of a high standard and funded by the public through taxes. The public transport is generally good but it doesn’t cover the more remote areas. If you want to go to the countryside to the Caves you will need a car. The public schools in Slovenia are decent. There are also plenty of private schools. This gives you a good choice of education options in Slovenia.
Split, Croatia
Croatia has over 500 km of Mediterranean coastline. Split, in Dalmatia, has the best of this coastline. And what’s more, it sits between the sea and the hulking Mosor Mountain Range. Founded by the Romans, the city retains much of the architecture from those times. The Peristil square remains the public square of the city to this day.
Split was the place where the last Roman Emperor, Julius Nepos, died. It is a place with a long and diverse history which is little known by those outside the country. If you move here that is sure to change, there are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites within 2 hours of Split. Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater with underground museum close to the sea. It is one of only 3 remaining amphitheaters in the world. Split is one of the best places in the Mediterranean for visiting World Heritages.
House prices in Split are affordable. You have to get permission from the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you can buy. Prices have been on the rise in recent years and this shows no sign of slowing down. The cost of living in Croatia is higher than many of its Eastern European neighbors. Compared with Western Europe and the U.S. the prices here are still very cheap.
Health care and dental care compare with anywhere in Eastern Europe. Public transport is good.. Many residents choose to use buses for their daily commutes despite also owning cars.
The climate of Split is cold and snowy in the winter. Spring and autumn are mild and the sea is warm enough for swimming. The summer is hot with average temperatures around 25 degrees. Other places in the Mediterranean may offer better climate than Split.
Valencia, Spain
Often overlooked when it comes to Spanish cities, Valencia is going through a revival. Its stock is set to soar in the coming years. We mentioned Valencia as one of the best places to live in the Mediterranean for its chill weather and expat community.
Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain and dates back to Roman times. It sits on the Mediterranean and is 1 hour 30 min from Madrid and 3 hours 30 from Barcelona.
As a general rule property prices here are less than half of what you would expect to pay in Barcelona. For a long time people would look to Barcelona as a place to visit and invest. However, the cities current political crisis and anger at Airbnb rentals pricing is making Valencia an attractive option. Not only that but companies are also leaving Barcelona and relocating to Valencia.
Winters in Valencia are very mild and temperatures average 17 degrees in the day and down to 8 degrees at night. The summers are long and hot, generally lasting about 8 months.
Healthcare and dental care are among the best in the world. Once you are a Spanish citizen you will be entitled to free healthcare.
Public Transport is good. Buses and the modern EMT Metro system will get you around Valencia. The trains will easily get you to cities further afield. One drawback is that the public transport closes at 10:30.
Valencia has some of the best beaches in Spain. Its beaches have received many prestigious blue flag awards for their high standards.
Oliver Lovett
