Anyone been/lived in Mauritius?

[steelepulse]

Just wondering if anyone has been there or lived there. I'm on the long term lookout for alternative places to live where the weather is warm, the place is nice visually, some English is spoken, multi cultural, can own your own home, low taxes etc Mauritius seems to tick a lot of boxes and browsing through an expat forum there, it seems everyone seems a lot happier than the grumpy people on my local Phuket forum.

Only downside I've seen is the possibility of getting hit by cyclones.

[KittenKong]

"To be eligible for a residence permit, a retired non-citizen must undertake to transfer to his/her local bank account in Mauritius, at least 40,000 US dollars annually, or its equivalent in any freely convertible foreign currency."

[asanee]

Have been, but quite some time ago and just as tourist. Did not leave the wish to ever return. Its NOT multicultural, its Indian with some remains of old Brit reignship. Its small, for 98% covered with sugarcane and just a few kms of beach on 2 spots and also fairly populous. Tries, I think by now more succesfull as then, to attract hi-profile tourists in luxury resorts. No idea of how many expats would,lve there now and from where, but a quick google or wiki would probably give results.. At that time it attracted a fair lot of Zuidafrikaners to escape the troubles in their country.

[rak sa_ngop]

I was there about 10 years ago. My remaining impressions: lots of wind all the time and lots of inaccessible coastline. The wind might be seasonal thing, but even though there is a lot of nice coastline you could only access it at a few public beaches. The rest of the coast was private land with houses' gardens extending to the shoreline and no public access.

Did not leave me with a feeling of wanting to go back one day.

[BaldPlumber]

Went there once just for a couple of weeks, would not be in any rush to go back again. Mostly I remember car hire was ridiculously expensive and you couldn't rent scooters / mopeds 'cos the locals would let your tyres down.

[xen]

There are many Mauritians that have immigrated to Australia since the Indians took control . All are very nice people in fact my daughter in law is French / Mauritian . Interesting history to the place with both British , French , African and Indian governments. I have not been there myself but have friends who have stayed at the expensive resorts . The cost of getting there is the main consideration with most flights going to South Africa or Perth.

If distance / remoteness is not that great an issue , consider Palau especially if you are from the US.

[steelepulse]

Flight is only 7 hours from KL, so pretty close to here. Currency there is about the same as the baht, and the costs from what I've seen are in line with Phuket. Granted Phuket is a lot more than the rest of Thailand ( BKK and Samui excepted). From what I've seen on local Mauritus forums, things have changed quite a bit since the posters above visited. I don't seeing wind being a bad thing, especially if you like to kitesurf. I don't see any problem with bringing in 40K USD per annum to live on, so that's not a problem either.

Funnily enough, there is a thread in a Mauritius forum about what expats don't like about the place, and it was the exact same about what expats don't like here, slow government, bad customer service, people chucking trash anywhere etc. What I didn't see was the surliness of the people which Phuket has in spades.

[madjaristan]

I've lived on Mauritius island for some time and I have to say that was one of my best times in my expat life. I think most people here refers to the northern part of the island when they talk about inaccessible beaches and dullness. On the southern coast however is very different. The little Indian communities in the south are very welcomingthe beaches are superb and there are some excellent diving sites. Food is great and yes, expats seem to be nicer altogether. General commodities however like renting a house or a bike can be less accessible than here in Thailand and definitely more expensive. Jobs are very hard tout get though as well as long term visas but if you can sort these out you can have a nice life.

[slygeeza]

Seychelles is much nicer

[ThaiMouse]

I was there six months ago with a view to living there. No it is not for cheap charlies or drifters or low lifes. You buy a house for 800,000.00US$, then you own the house, you own the land and you get a life-time visa. Yes the top resorts are very expensive, but they do not attract the usaul criminal element that say Phuket does. It has fantastic infrastucture, every big name brand South African store or supermarket. There are currently 20 thousand South Africans living permanently on Mauritius at present. Many of them comute during the week to their offices in Cape Town on a direct flight from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Flight time is 3 and a half hours. Beats the 26 long hours just to get to Phuket. 1 US$ = 30.42 Mauritian Rupees. Oh and if a cyclone hits, you get lots of rain but the houses withstand the winds quite well. The seas are clean and you can swim in them and any beach can be accesed by asking politely at the hotels, just make sure you buy a drink or two from the hotel when using their beach area. The Internatioanl hospitals are first class with highly trained doctors and staff. In my two months there, I never saw one surly looking cretin or hotel staff. The Mauritians are extremely proud of their toursm trade and they intend to keep it that way. So, if you want to live there, schools are great too and I would suggest living in or near Curepipe. To live in the north of the island, you pay the price for multi millionaires mile. Weather, the west coast is the most sheltered. When I want to have a break from Phuket, thats where I go.

[steelepulse]

Thanks ThaiMouse, that's some good info. Was there any particular reason why you didn't want to make the move to there?

[lovenut]

I think mauritius has an agreement with UK about annual OAP increases. RSA Seychelles and Thailand do not..

[Greg Nixon]

I don't believe in Mauritius.

[AndyGG]

Like the other I see who have replied to this forum, I went to Mauritius on a 2 week holiday and have never considered returning. The weather for a start was very poor even though we picked the dry season. The beaches were pretty unspectacular and the evening life was drab to say the least. I don't know about living there or the exact details but I can think of far better all round locations. Mauritius I thought was well over-rated. Sorry mate if we are busting your bubble.

[harleyclarkey]

Just back after 3 weeks driving, on the left, 1,500 kms and staying in 6 different hotels on all the coasts and in the mountains. As my partner is also Mauritian, I have met many locals, met the out laws (!,), met her friends and so I guess I have a reasonable handle on Mauritians and Mauritius.

First there is a huge discrepancy in income. The average Mauritian earns 200 euro per month and yet you will see a fleet of Porsche Cayennes, the odd Bentley, Rolls, S Class Merc, 7 series BMW, etc.Then you have to avoid the guys on bicycles, and pedestrians, who wander all over the road. Driving at night, which I had to do a few times, is definitely not recommended. There are some extremely wealthy people on Mauritius mostly from Tourism and sugar cane. You will see fantastic mansions, plantation domains and then a little down the road shacks! It is not unlike Thailand in that respect with a $1m house beside a shack.

Everyone speaks French, English and Creole. You won't have an issue anywhere on the Island with language. The locals are lovely. Genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming. And hey......they have a police force that will actually help you and will respect you. They also have courts that won't treat you like an unwelcome disease as in Thailand. The police are known to take a "fee" but for certain they will help a foreigner and will sort things for you. Tourists are king here. I was told you need to do a dropsie to get things moving along...to grease the rails. Not surprising considering the salaries.

Infrastructure is good though not many large roads...drivers are certainly not the best, in fact brutal! This applies especially to busses and ....lo and behold.... the nutters in white mini vans. Sounds familiar? The shops have everything you will need. There are some large shopping malls with shops like Inter U. Carrefour, etc. Some french overlays with patisseries and boulangeries. Getting things repaired or made is a cinch. As an example, I had trousers made very well for 300 baht labour. Cars are expensive but fuel lower than most other countries....about 40 baht a litre.

It is a very quiet, multi racial, multi cultural, multi religious society that shuts up shop in the early evening. It is very laid back with the stunning beaches the main focus. But having said that there are mad parties and raves all over the island especially in the summer months. One of the best beers I have tasted...Phoenix beer. Seriously excellent. There are bars all over the island and rum is the main drink. You can buy a bottle for 3 euro. Most of the decent bars and restaurants are in the, often, superb hotels. Plenty of decent street food and local places to eat that are absolutely fine. Far higher hygiene standards that Thailand (does Thailand actually have any hygiene standards for restaurants??). Currency is the same rate as the Thai Baht....40 to the Euro.

I had nothing but a genuine welcome from anyone I met. No sour faces, no scams, no cheating. The smiles were real. The women can be absolutely drop dead gorgeous with Indian and African shading and looks. They are truly lovely and are genuine unlike a lot of the Thai rubbish. We were asked more than once if we had a boyfriend for them! They are very willing to meet and go with a foreigner. I happen to be with a wonderful Mauritian woman and I am a very lucky and a very happy boy. All the women I know through my partner are happy go lucky and as per their custom treat their guys like no other. I am truly spoiled, pampered and cocooned every day.... and this after 6 years.

There is crime. It is mainly drug fuelled and as in most places you don't venture into off track places at night. I was in some fairly heavy areas with a lot of young guys hanging out on corners with little to do. But at no time did I feel threatened. Keep to yourself and don't cause any aggro and you'll be fine.

It is a very small island and you should bear this in mind. It is a mere 2,200 sq kms and you might get cabin fever. However it is very easy to get into and out of the island as it is served by airlines from all over the world including two A380's a day! Africa is on the doorstep and daily flights to Europe.

Property can be dirt cheap but naturally this would be off the beaten track. But a decent pad for 50,000 euro is definitely possible. Banking is efficient and plentiful.

So...would I recommend Mauritius. Yes. If you are prepared to leave the sleaze of Thailand behind and opt for a quieter, more peaceful and a safer lifestyle. If you like the hookers and corruption then it's not for you.

[harleyclarkey]

Couple of answers to posts as they are totally inaccurate.

Car hire can seem expensive as most quote 1,000-1,200 rupees a day. We got ours for 600 a day. Taxis are safe friendly and will not rip you off but they are not cheap. Agree the price and that's it. You can rent scooters and the locals won't let your tyres down.

Beaches are mostly owned by the big resorts but there are plenty of public beaches that are stunning. I recall stunning La Morne, Grand Baie, Cap Malheureux, La Cuvette, Tamarin Flic en Flac etc......Access to fantastic beaches is not an issue. Also, as said you can go to the resort beaches as a tourist/foreigner by just buying a drink or a coffee. Hotel service in Mauritius is among the best in the world.

Yes...many Indians but they are industrious and are friendly and will not hassle you. I did not meet one Brit.

Windy East coast and quite rocky....wet interior because of the high mountains. North very busy in tourist season and South more laid back. East pretty undeveloped and very local. The West is coming on and again hasn't a lot in tropical beaches.

Rubbish everywhere? I didn't see it. Beaches are spotless as is the sea. There is a coral reef all round the island which means the lagoon is usually flat calm.

I saw apartments and houses for $500,000 that will give you residence. I saw a really tasty 2 bed apartment in Flic en Flac, a popular area, for €50,000. It is possible to buy a rough local place for a very small sum.

I had reason to go to a local hospital. Seen within 10 minutes.....quick examination and the pills came from the on site pharmacy. All for free!! Like posted here... SOME hospitals are first class.

Curepipe amd Flac I liked because of their local feel and lack of tourists. they also were busy towns with plenty of shops, etc. Phoenix is also a large town/city. Port Louis is the capital and a mix of ultra modern with shacks!

Population is 1.3m in a small area but you really do not notice.

[harleyclarkey]

http://pmo.gov.mu/English/dha/Mandate/Pages/Resident-Permit-and-Visa.aspx

May be helpful. Seems $500,000 investment 0r $40,000 per year into Mauritius for 3 years will give residence.

By the way unlike Thailand where you can't own land and the national past time is robbing/stealing foreigners property, you actually own the property in Mauritius.

[steelepulse]

Much appreciated harleyclarkey. The more I've looked into the country, the better it sounds. I've been on a small island for a number of years, so Mauritius is huge by comparison and the costs are the same as where I am now.

[Mousehound]

Rather a long time since I was there but: friendly people French was commonly spoken but English also. Windy, pretty, sugar cane, horses and they have a reputation for opera singers. Also stunning women. I was lucky enough to team up with a frech/indian lass for seven weeks on the way by boat to Tahiti. Good times! I could live there no problem.

[dundas]

I spent five weeks working in Mauritius a few years ago. Just a few random thoughts:

• I noticed a lot of South Africans seem to be using the place as a bolt hole in case South Africa has a melt down
• As another poster has mentioned, there are huge variations in incomes.
• It's a conservative society in terms of dress, etc
• I suggest you don't join the locals in their eating and (lack of) exercising habits - Mauritius has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world - for someone like me who eats what's put in front of him, that might be difficult - there's fatty food everywhere.
• I loved the food ...
• The roads aren't all that great
• I was staying in Port Louis where I found it difficult to get minor services - e.g., I bought a belt that needed altering and it was quite difficult finding someone to do the few minutes work to shorten it
• Similarly, when I looked around for a chiropractor or osteopath, they also seemed to be in short supply
• I left money in my clothing when I sent it to the laundry - the hotel staff brought the money back to me with an explanation as to where they found it. I found it to be an honest place.
• From the stories I heard, I wouldn't like to be there during the cyclone season - which apparently is six months of the year, from November to May
• I'll second the comment about the hotels being first rate - great food and drink, great service
• The people are friendly
• I quite enjoyed the nightlife - Mauritians know how to party
• It's a small place and I think I would have gone stir-crazy if I had stayed there much longer - but each to his own.

Good luck!

Edited May 18, 2014 by dundas

[ThaiMouse]

Thanks ThaiMouse, that's some good info. Was there any particular reason why you didn't want to make the move to there?

Yes. One I am still quite fine with staying on Phuket, as it is convenient and the area north of Heroines Monument is still relatively safe, compared to say Rawai area. Kids schools are convienient too, as there is not much traffic to fight with at times of taking to school and fetching. Also I have not investigated the possibility of taking a Thai lass and her child there, as she still has family ties here. No hidden agenda, but if the brownies hit the fanies here, I would be out of here like a shot. I am lucky, I am on a permission to stay stamp for retirement.

[keestha]

Steelepulse, I enjoy your recent "alternatives to Phuket" threads. Power of a big public web forum, there are always a lot of people coming forward who are quite knowledgeable about the place.

You might also check out Costa Rica. What I last heard, easy to get permanent residency, including the right to own land, work or even start a business.

Cannot relocate myself, but it surely makes for interesting reading. Keep them coming!

[steelepulse]

I had considered Costa Rica as well as Panama, but from what I've been reading about online from various expats living there, it sounds awfully similar to here in regards to corruption, littering and trash, disdain by the locals, lots of red tape to get things done etc.

On the other hand, I'm hearing a lot of good things about Colombia from friends that have been there as well as from various expat forums. Supposedly it's a lot safer now than in the height of the cartels.