Oh no! I've moved countries again - now in Mauritius :)

[simon43]

Well,  having recently moved from Laos to live on the beaches of south-west Turkey, I thought everything was fine...

 

Unfortunately, my lungs had other ideas with the chilly winter weather, and I was rapidly laid low with illness, due to my long-term Aspergillosis illness, which last reared its ugly head some 9 years ago.  My own fault, but I had previously visited Turkey in the summer and spring, and all was fine.  I never realised how cold it got in winter...

 

So, while everything else about Turkey was fine, (maybe the women were a non-starter), I had to move quickly before I ended up in hospital.  I scanned the map, checked on entry rules and long-term visa rules and moved .... to Mauritius ????

 

Within a few days. my coughing stopped and my lungs improved considerably, thanks to the hot and humid weather (just like Thailand).

 

Well, if the climate in Thailand is good for my health, why didn't I move back there?

 

1 - Too many hassles to enter the country right now

2 - Too much flip-flopping, paperwork and nosey government officials

3 - Especially, too much money demanded from me to get a retirement visa.

 

Here in Mauritius, I am issued with an annual retirement visa for persons over 50 years old.  There is no deposit requirement, but one must bring into the country $1,500 every month, but you need not spend it.  After 3 years, you are issued with a 20-year PR visa and no annual or monthly financial requirement!  You could live here on a UK state pension (which BTW is index-linked, because Mauritius has an agreement with the UK, just like EU countries).

 

I've just rented a nice house with swimming pool and large garden for about 18,000 THB (there are cheaper, but the pool is nice and the garden and flat roof are good for my radio antennas.  The nearby beach is beautiful and so are many of the women (they are either slim and sexy or super-enormous, just take your pick!).

 

I hope I don't have to move again.......

 

 

 

 

[roo860]

Excellent, good luck!!

How's the health service etc?

Edited January 10, 2022 by roo860

[simon43]

6 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Excellent, good luck!!

How's the health service etc?

Local hospitals look fine.  I have expat insurance. medivac etc if things get really bad...

[tonray]

Well ....you'll get great Indian food (if you like that) and I've heard it's a haven for laundering drug money (if you're into that sort of thing)

[CharlieH]

Good news Simon ! Hope all goes well for you.

Any reaction or issues ahead regarding your radio ?

 

Everything else sounds very nice, hows the food ? supplies etc ?

 

 

[BritManToo]

41 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Here in Mauritius, I am issued with an annual retirement visa for persons over 50 years old.  There is no deposit requirement, but one must bring into the country $1,500 every month, but you need not spend it.  After 3 years, you are issued with a 20-year PR visa and no annual or monthly financial requirement!  You could live here on a UK state pension (which BTW is index-linked, because Mauritius has an agreement with the UK, just like EU countries).

That's quite cheap, I could afford that.

Sorry to hear Turkey didn't work out.

Edited January 10, 2022 by BritManToo

[KhunLA]

Cool ... ENJOY

[dundas]

Not to rain on your parade, but I think you're right in the middle of cyclone season. 

On the other hand, the visa requirements for retirees sound eminently reasonable. 

[rumak]

do people there (and visitors, retirees)   need to be vaxxed ??

[Don Chance]

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection of usually the lungs,^[1] caused by the genus Aspergillus, a common mold that is breathed in frequently from the air around, but does not usually affect most people.^[2][3] It generally occurs in people with lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or tuberculosis, or those who have had a stem cell or organ transplant, and those who cannot fight infection because of medications they take such as steroids and some cancer treatments.

 

Why would this be a problem in Turkey and not in Africa?

Edited January 10, 2022 by Don Chance

[simon43]

@tonray, I love Indian food, but there is a wide range of foods available, due to the international tourist scene.  There is a large shopping centre just 5 minute's drive from my house, with many restaurants, also Woolworths(!), clothese shops etc, all very modern (Mauritius is the richest country in Africa, according to Google).

 

@CharlieH, my radio should be fine - there is a well-organised licencing body and a very active local radio club!

 

@BritManToo, Turkey was really very good in almost all aspects.  I got a 12 month residency card within 2 weeks of arriving, had a free Pfizer booster jab and was able to download a police clearance document (maybe useful for teaching etc) from their very efficient online system.  Only the cold weather killed my lungs...

 

@dundas, what?!! Cyclones?  No-one told me about that! ????  Seriously, I'm aware that there are cyclones in this region.  I just have to use more guy ropes on my antennas....

[scubascuba3]

You could have used an agent in Thailand, retirement extension is 12,500 baht a year, no financials.

 

maybe Madagascar or Kenya were viable alternatives

Edited January 10, 2022 by scubascuba3

[ezzra]

Mauritius being a tiny place with a population of 1.2 million i'm sure that most consumer items are imported in and thus cost more but if everything ells is good there and you can afford the extra expenses than all the best to you, BTW, how's the ladies there? nice and approachable or like in Turkey?...

[CharlieH]

Troll comment removed.

[simon43]

17 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection .......

 

Why would this be a problem in Turkey and not in Africa?

Don, I acquired this illness whilst working in an unheated, damp basement office in London in the late 90's.  The air had fungal spores.....   It is a chronic illness and I personally found that cold weather and cold rain exacerbated the illness - I had many issues with pneumonia while living in the UK.  I moved to Thailand on the advice of my UK doctor who said that symptoms are often alleviated in a hot and humid climate.  He was right, and I lived in south-east Asia without any health problems.

 

When I moved to Turkey and their cold winter, I was hit hard by a re-occurrence of my illness, and was unable to work (teach online).  No work = no income!  I knew the solution was to move as soon as possible to a hot and humid location again.  Since arriving in Mauritius last Friday, my coughing has stopped and I no longer feel tired and under the weather.

 

Of course, for others with this illness, YMMV, but my solution works for me ????

[simon43]

10 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Mauritius being a tiny place with a population of 1.2 million i'm sure that most consumer items are imported in and thus cost more but if everything ells is good there and you can afford the extra expenses than all the best to you, BTW, how's the ladies there? nice and approachable or like in Turkey?...

Yes, I guess if I want to have trendy consumer items and clothes, then I will have to pay higher prices.  But I'm happy with local fruit and vegetables and YouTube.  I don't need any consumer items ????

 

Now as to the ladies.  Well, there are the 'big fat mama' types of African ladies, who look very jolly.  Then there are many slim African women who all look like hookers to me!!  I need to 'sound out' all this, to avoid any wrong moves ????  There there are many slim Indian/Asian women.

 

To be perfectly honest, my main interest is improving my health, jogging on the beautiful beach, eating healthy food etc, and relaxing.  Involving a women in my life usually leads to increased stress levels and an empty bank account!!

[Enoon]

 

This is where your "high class" tourists have gone TAT:

 

• To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
• It is mandatory to arrange COVID-19 insurance health cover (Mauritian citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted)
• For hotel stays a mandatory antigen test is required on arrival at your hotel (day 0) and again on day 5 of your stay. These will be chargeable subject to your hotel policy
• You can explore the island after you receive a negative result from your antigen test on day 0

 

 

[simon43]

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

This is where your "high class" tourists have gone TAT:

 

• To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
• It is mandatory to arrange COVID-19 insurance health cover (Mauritian citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted)
• For hotel stays a mandatory antigen test is required on arrival at your hotel (day 0) and again on day 5 of your stay. These will be chargeable subject to your hotel policy
• You can explore the island after you receive a negative result from your antigen test on day 0

 

 

Lol, I don't think anyone would think of me as 'high class'!!  I'm a lowly-paid teacher.  But I can afford to live in 'high class' Mauritius, and the entry requirements were easy.

 

I had a free Covid test at airport immigration on arrival, and then able to leave immediately with no requirement to stay inside the hotel or other accommodation.  I got an email later the same day with my negative result.  The health cover is any insurance policy that covers Covid hospitalisation - my April expat policy was fine.

 

Personally, I don't feel the urge to deposit 800,000 baht so I can live in Thailand.  A zero deposit seems a better idea, with 20-year PR thrown in for free after 36 months.

 

(But I'm sure that I will find something to moan about here in Mauritius - it won't be the weather or beaches though).

[scubascuba3]

8 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

Personally, I don't feel the urge to deposit 800,000 baht so I can live in Thailand.  A zero deposit seems a better idea, with 20-year PR thrown in for free after 36 months.

 

 

you don't need to deposit 800k or prove 65k a month, i thought everyone knew that by now

[Jeff Olssson]

Just out of curiosity I compared cost of living in Bangkok with Port Louis in www.numbeo.com. 

 

Their calculations suggest that cost of living plus rent in Port Louis would be about 25% lower than Bangkok for the same standard of life. I know you have just moved to Mauritius and you might be living in some other areas than Port Louis but it would be interesting if you could update this thread at some point and comment if that sounds reasonable.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Jeff Olssson

[simon43]

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

you don't need to deposit 800k or prove 65k a month, i thought everyone knew that by now

Yes, I'm fully aware that there are agents and corrupt officials who take bribes.  I prefer to try to live by the rules and not take risks or make myself a target for corruption or extortion.

 

Jeff, yes certainly I will see what prices are like.  So far no shocks at all. I have been shopping in the 'InterMarche' at the big shopping centre, plenty of choice of local and imported products.  The prices are what I expected, and quite affordable for me.  Not sure about beer, cigarettes etc, but I'll check next time.

[userabcd]

 

Thanks for the update, you sure get around.

 

I always assumed Mauritius was expensive being a small island far off in the Indian ocean, I seem to have been wrong.

 

Think one could easily get bored with life there on that Island so one day we may see that you have moved back to Thailand when travel and entry are once again easier.

 

Think there is nowhere on earth which could match the specialties Thailand has to offer.

Edited January 11, 2022 by userabcd

[simon43]

I just checked the items on my shopping bill from yesterday.  This was in a typical 'western' supermarket.

 

4 Greek yogurt pack - 100 baht

nut mix - 190 baht (always expensive in any country!)

fresh cranberry juice, big bottle - 68 baht

imported seedless grapes - 150 baht

Almond milk, small bottle - 15 baht

oat crackers - 74 baht

 

(Off-topic, but it would be interesting to see what others buy in their daily shopping!).

 

Now, whether or not that food is expensive really doesn't matter to me!  The overall cost is miniscule out of my budget.  When Numbeo compares the cost of living in different locations, there are many items that I simply don't use.  I don't buy a house and I don't use public transport.  I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes etc.  My main monthly expenses are to rent a house with swimming pool (18,000 baht), rent a 4-wheel drive jeep (12,000 baht) and my medical insurance 8.000 baht).  I can live happily on $1,500 a month or less, and $1,500 is what I have to bring into my local bank account each month to qualify for my retirement or digital nomad visa.

 

[Pravda]

What do you mean you need to spend it? How can they check that?

[simon43]

4 minutes ago, Pravda said:

What do you mean you need to spend it? How can they check that?

I never said that ????.  I have to transfer $1,500 each month into my local bank account, but I don't need to spend it!  I just have to show a bank statement each annual visa renewal to show that I have transferred 12 x $1,500 = $18,000 into the country. I could beg for food by the side of the road and live for free in a tent and still have all the money in the local bank if I want ????

[CharlieH]

9 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I just checked the items on my shopping bill from yesterday.  This was in a typical 'western' supermarket.

 

4 Greek yogurt pack - 100 baht

nut mix - 190 baht (always expensive in any country!)

fresh cranberry juice, big bottle - 68 baht

imported seedless grapes - 150 baht

Almond milk, small bottle - 15 baht

oat crackers - 74 baht

 

(Off-topic, but it would be interesting to see what others buy in their daily shopping!).

 

Now, whether or not that food is expensive really doesn't matter to me!  The overall cost is miniscule out of my budget.  When Numbeo compares the cost of living in different locations, there are many items that I simply don't use.  I don't buy a house and I don't use public transport.  I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes etc.  My main monthly expenses are to rent a house with swimming pool (18,000 baht), rent a 4-wheel drive jeep (12,000 baht) and my medical insurance 8.000 baht).  I can live happily on $1,500 a month or less, and $1,500 is what I have to bring into my local bank account each month to qualify for my retirement or digital nomad visa.

 

Agree, it is what it is and you have no control of it.I think accessability to those things is more important than a price variation , within your budget obviously ????

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Great reporting, @simon43. Wow, you found cranberry juice: Langers/Ocean Spray/Ligo? Good price! Beats Thailand. Did you see V8 vegetable juice? I miss V8, which has gone missing in Thailand for over half a year.

 

I'd appreciate a check into the price of ciggies (Camel/Mevius), beer 330ml (imported, I assume) and Irish whiskey (Jameson). Do they have the usual small convenience shops, a.k.a., 7-11 and such? Thanks muchly!

Edited January 11, 2022 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[The Hammer2021]

17 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection of usually the lungs,^[1] caused by the genus Aspergillus, a common mold that is breathed in frequently from the air around, but does not usually affect most people.^[2][3] It generally occurs in people with lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or tuberculosis, or those who have had a stem cell or organ transplant, and those who cannot fight infection because of medications they take such as steroids and some cancer treatments.

 

Why would this be a problem in Turkey and not in Africa?

It's the vicious cold that is the problem.

[JustAnotherHun]

Thankyou for the information, @simon, and congratulation for leaving Erdoghan's dictatorshipt for a better political system.

A few questions:

1. Are you living in Port Louis?

2. Do you "feel" that the island is very populated (+600/km2)?

3. You say you're living on 1.500 USD. After you paid rent, car and insurance, there's not much left. Do you want and can you really live on around 11k THB?

4. You need to transfer 1500USD/month. Must that be monthly or is the requirement 18k/year?

5. How about the language? Is French common? I read Morisyen is based on French. So would you be able to understand and communicate whne speaking it? And how about English?

6. Is fast and stable internet available where you're living?

Edited January 11, 2022 by JustAnotherHun

[simon43]

1 hour ago, JustAnotherHun said:

Thankyou for the information, @simon, and congratulation for leaving Erdoghan's dictatorshipt for a better political system.

A few questions:

1. Are you living in Port Louis?

2. Do you "feel" that the island is very populated (+600/km2)?

3. You say you're living on 1.500 USD. After you paid rent, car and insurance, there's not much left. Do you want and can you really live on around 11k THB?

4. You need to transfer 1500USD/month. Must that be monthly or is the requirement 18k/year?

5. How about the language? Is French common? I read Morisyen is based on French. So would you be able to understand and communicate whne speaking it? And how about English?

6. Is fast and stable internet available where you're living?

To reply to your questions:

1 - No, I'm not in Port Louis - I don't like to live in any city, always too many druggies and low-life criminals.  I am in the north of the island, living (from tonight!) in a rural property.

2 - It didn't strike me as very populated, even in the towns.  

3 - I am living on $1,500/month easily, but that doesn't mean that I only have an income of $1,500/month!  I spend what I need to spend and save the rest.  If I need to earn more money, then I open up my online teaching (science) calendar and the lesson bookings roll in.  But I don't need to do that because I'm happy with my income right now.

4 - Per month or overall per year, up to you.

5 - Creole is the main local language, then French, then English.  I just use French in the shops without any problem, but staff also speak English.

6 - I hope so! I had to stop my online lessons because of slow mobile internet in the towns (too many people sharing each cell-site).  But at my new house, I get 20 down, 10 up on both mobile networks, AND I have a fibre optic line being upgraded to 100 down/50 up.  So 3 internet connections....