Laura and Callum Anderson, both 42, swapped their four-bed farmhouse in Fife for a three-bed penthouse in Malta, where their energy bills are £85 a month and they save £1,251 monthly. The couple, who moved with their youngest daughter in October 2026, saw their total monthly outgoings fall from £4,440 in Scotland to £3,189 in Malta.
Why the family left Scotland
The Andersons decided to relocate after their heating bill in Scotland rocketed to £1,100 a month. Laura, a business owner based in Naxxar, Malta, said: "If we weren't living in Malta we would have had to move out of our house. It was £690 per month just for oil, with electricity on top of that, wood on top of that, it was £1,100 just to heat the house and put the lights on. Electricity is £85 per month here. We basically wanted to move to Malta to enjoy life."
The couple had previously lived in Malta between 2010 and 2013 after securing a full relocation package through Callum's work as a recruitment consultant, before returning to Fife to launch their own business. After renewing their wedding vows in Malta in 2024, they resolved to relocate permanently.
Health and weather concerns
Laura's health played a significant role in the decision. She was diagnosed with Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in November 2023 and sought private care after struggling to access support through the NHS. She said the persistent "doom and gloom" of Scottish weather worsened her mental health, prompting the couple to take what she described as a "positive step."
Laura said: "I was paying a fortune in tax and in private medical insurance. It makes me feel resentful at my own country and I don't want to feel like that because I love Scotland. Because of my PMDD, I struggle a bit with my mental health and being in Scotland in the doom and gloom was not great for my mental health so we decided to make a positive step by moving."
She added: "Last winter in Scotland was especially bad. It didn't stop raining for six months. It sounds like an exaggeration, but it must have rained for 26 days every single month."
Cost of living comparison
The family departed on digital nomad visas alongside their youngest daughter Mia, 17, while Lucy, 20, remained in the UK to continue her university studies. Laura and Callum continue to operate their sauna business remotely, with a team in Scotland handling everyday operations. They initially stayed in an Airbnb to view properties face-to-face.
Laura highlighted the lower costs in Malta: "Our car in Scotland was included on our insurance and it was £650 per month. We lived on a farm and I had to drive 20 minutes just to get to the shop. Fuel was £130 per week. Here, fuel is £33 every two weeks. It was £180 per month for Sky broadband and Wi-Fi. Here, Wi-Fi is £25."
Having paid £750 for their visas, the couple said they are "really happy" with the move. Laura said: "Apart from missing our eldest daughter, we're not missing anything. We've deliberately chosen to live in an area with access to good walks for the dogs. Walking is one of the things that really helps my head so it's important I go out on those long walks. I love Scotland and I'm more than happy to go back and visit but it was stifling and there's a lot of positivity here."
