I originally booked to stay at Evolve for a month and ended up staying 13 months! This was my first coliving experience and exceeded my expectations. It was exactly what I needed for moving to a new country without knowing anyone, and I would recommend this place to anyone else doing the same.
The community is truly amazing. Everyone is so warm, friendly, and welcoming - within a week, it felt like I was part of a family. Some people stayed more long term like me, while others stayed just a month or two, which was a good mix. Many also returned because they enjoyed it so much the first time round. The vibe changes when people come and go but there was never a bad group. I've made lasting friendships and I really can't emphasize enough how incredible this experience has been because of the people.
The location is great, mid way between Sliema and St Julians. You can walk 20ish minutes downhill to either if it's not the height of summer (note: uphill on the way back!). San Gwann is quiet and there are plenty of shops/cafes around, including supermarkets and grocery stores. There are several bus stops nearby. Bolt/Uber is good value and can even be cheaper than buses if you're in a big group.
Cleaners clean the common areas 6 days a week, which is definitely necessary in a house of this size and with so many people.
Personally, one thing I really appreciated was that I became a cat mom during my stay and Matt and Ola supported that.
To give a well-rounded review, I also need to be honest about the negatives - nowhere is perfect.
Things break a lot: dishwashers, laundry facilities, Internet, vaccuum cleaners, pool filter, jacuzzi, coffee machine, fireplace, air conditioners, electricity outages, rain through the windows... sometimes it felt like as soon as one thing is fixed, it sets something else off. This isn't Matt and Ola's fault - some of this is just how things in Malta are built and getting good labour to properly fix the issues is harder than you think, however it was frustrating over time. For internet, it's best to come with your own backup or get a good data package, just in case.
Noise: the way the house is built means that noise really travels. The doors can slam and get really noisy, especially when it's windy. Also, beds so squeaky. So. Squeaky.
Mosquitos: they love me; they also love the house. Winter is fine, but from May-November they are around. If you're prone to bites, make sure you keep your room windows and doors closed, especially early morning and evening/night, and pick up spray, burners, candles, plug-ins etc. Mosquito nets would be a great upgrade.
Having experienced a full year, I can say that it's a very different experience in the winter vs summer but both were great and had their benefits. Summer was all about bbqs, pool dips, dancing on the roof, late night drinks etc. Winter was quieter with cozy movie nights, more shared meals, game nights, activities like lazer tag and escape rooms, and hiking on the weekends.
Overall, I loved my stay at Evolve. I'll cherish the memories and friendships made, keep in touch, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
