Moving out of Mauritius

Welcome to the reality of real world, far from the propoganda of the tourism authority.

Mauritius is an expensive country. Most Mauritian with good education will prefer to move out of Mauritius. Apart from being wealthy, i don't know why so many expats thinks Mauritius is a good destination.

infogreencycle wrote:

Mauritius is an expensive country. Most Mauritian with good education will prefer to move out of Mauritius. Apart from being wealthy, i don't know why so many expats thinks Mauritius is a good destination.

Most of them will move out, because there is no further progress in most fields. Most streets in Port Louis has at least 1 doctor. Not sure where they get absorbed. Most Mauritians i know will not move back as the country is super expensive with few benefits and more corruption.

I agree

Hi I left Mauritius when I was 10 and after 30 years abroad, I am moving back to Mauritius again. I've been visiting Mauritius for the last 5 years and I don't see the cost of living is high when you compare it to Europe or America.
Again it depends on your income. I believe if someone is making 150 k or even 100 k should be o.k.

iboganee wrote:

Hi I left Mauritius when I was 10 and after 30 years abroad, I am moving back to Mauritius again. I've been visiting Mauritius for the last 5 years and I don't see the cost of living is high when you compare it to Europe or America.
Again it depends on your income. I believe if someone is making 150 k or even 100 k should be o.k.

So how many locals are making that kind of money according to your beliefs?
You don't see the cost of living for the Mauritians on the dough go a visiting tourist with CAN $.
Try to live on Rs 20K !
yeah someone with a North American university degree in Engineering taking orders from the relative of a Mauritian minister who got his degree either from the UoM or some non European university  on a scholarship from a friendly government.

Was proposed a maximum loan of Rs 345,000 from a commercial bank and Rs 415,000 from a government institution back in December 2019 after working patiently for years so that I can be eligible for a housing loan. Was completely gutted ! Who can build a house ( and I am on my own) with this budget. Would take me roughly 25 years to repay! Ofcourse I didn't accept! Yes, Mauritius is expensive and a category of people are having a hard time keeping up!

I don't know whether it would have been better or worse elsewhere, let's just say that I am here mainly because of family support, perhaps as many other locals.

Now as an expat, Anne, you can see it as an adventure and try new avenues while cherishing good memories you had here. I don't know whether you work or are a retiree, if you work, have you tried renegotiating your contract (perhaps) and ask for a salary adjustment ?

Mauritius does offer some advantages though on taxes, weather, security etc however, I can see why you would want to leave.

The grass might be or not be greener elsewhere but I believe you have the choice.
Wish you all the very best in your future endeavours
Anou

The grass is definitely greener in Europe at least in UK.People on.minimum wage can still afford a mortgage unlike Mauritius.

Or do like most do, pop at least 3-5 kids and you make as much as a minister in Uk without lifting a thing.

One thing one must remember that Mauritius is not expensive for most of them and they get by in Rs20000-Rs30000 as most have little expectation from life. Most will eat home cooked food and live in villiages where life is super cheap. They do not have latest cars or latest gadgets or mortgage per se, as they still live with their parents. If you try living like a Mauritian a £1000 would be more than sufficient if you do not have overhead like a mortgage o

What people do not understand that moat expqts wants the luxury of a villa with a pool or want to be near a beachside. This obviously comes at a cost. Also Mauritius government wants expats because of money they bring in,with the promise of tax benefits which is only for super rich hardly for a normal expat. Mauritius has a ageimg population and government is not very rich as it is Africa. Good luck with your move. Seems like people are becoming more aware of how they perceive Mauritius as being a heaven WHEN IT IS NOT.

Hi, one thing I can assure you is that you will never get a mortgage with minimum wage in North America and I am so surprised that this is possible in Europe.  I now that this is not very considerate of me and probably for most expat, but I am looking at a place where i want to take it easy and relax with nice weather...I worked very hard my whole  and now it's time to take it easy   I do understand that Mauritius is not heaven, but my brother has few cottages in the west and most of his tenant are retired people from France. And for them and with their pension, they have more purchasing power in Mauritius than in France. I am looking at Mauritius in a different angle. My mom keeps telling me that I am loosing my mind to move back, with many warning... starting from safety, where woman have to be super cautious when traveling at night, and not to mention politics, corruption, religious  fanatics, also, lately drugs. Not sure how true the latter is though.
From what I've learned and I sincerely don't intend  that I know more than  you guys as I left Mauritius at a very young age,  but the country reflects the population. If the people are corrupt...short minded, will elect government based on what advantages they can get then so be it.
I am going there to relax and don't care about politics, religion and not intend to change the country either. My mom told me that people will never change there. For sure I don't intend to work for the government. For me, Mauritius is a retired place with nice weather. I hope I have not offended anyone, but that is why people are moving back.

iboganee wrote:

Hi, one thing I can assure you is that you will never get a mortgage with minimum wage in North America and I am so surprised that this is possible in Europe.  I now that this is not very considerate of me and probably for most expat, but I am looking at a place where i want to take it easy and relax with nice weather...I worked very hard my whole  and now it's time to take it easy   I do understand that Mauritius is not heaven, but my brother has few cottages in the west and most of his tenant are retired people from France. And for them and with their pension, they have more purchasing power in Mauritius than in France. I am looking at Mauritius in a different angle. My mom keeps telling me that I am loosing my mind to move back, with many warning... starting from safety, where woman have to be super cautious when traveling at night, and not to mention politics, corruption, religious  fanatics, also, lately drugs. Not sure how true the latter is though.
From what I've learned and I sincerely don't intend  that I know more than  you guys as I left Mauritius at a very young age,  but the country reflects the population. If the people are corrupt...short minded, will elect government based on what advantages they can get then so be it.
I am going there to relax and don't care about politics, religion and not intend to change the country either. My mom told me that people will never change there. For sure I don't intend to work for the government. For me, Mauritius is a retired place with nice weather. I hope I have not offended anyone, but that is why people are moving back.

Your mom is correct. You sound like a naïve person who is unknown to the world.

Yes there are people having 100-150k per month here but that less than 1% of the population. Most people here have no savings, lived from paycheck to paycheck and are highly in debt.

maisonmaurice wrote:

Welcome to the reality of real world, far from the propoganda of the tourism authority.

Yes the sad reality. Many people have painted me a different picture of Mauritius. The reality is very different. I was also shocked on how real estate was so overpriced for expats.

@Guest72364927 I've lived in Europe all my life and have always worked. I have a degree and I can tell you , you will never get a mortgage on minimum wage. Not at all, at least not in London. London is the worst place and the last place I'd choose to live, but some of us don't have a choice. Until something better comes along.

@Godschild, can you please clarify whether you are in favor of moving out of Mauritius or into Mauritius?  The last thread activity was from 2021 and I believe that Mauritius has moved into the "High Income" country classification since.  Your experience living in Europe and in Mauritius is very valuable to expats considering Mauritius as a place to move to. 

Have you read the 2023 expat guide available on this site?  It would be very valuable to the expat community if you could provide additional information / guidance beyond the published documentation to help expats who want to move into the country.

For me, as a potential retirement returnee, the expat guide has provided a very good general background information on what to expect. 

In summary, the policies are designed to bring more foreign currency into the country and expats are not expected to compete with the local labor pool for employment.  In return, expats can share the country's beauty and resources.  I am not involved in local politics but I read that this expat policy is  meant to be an exchange - not a social contract.

Just for the sake of being complete, the guide also highlights a path to citizenship - which will be useful for expats who want to become citizens and effectively participate in the democratic and legislative process.  Non-citizen expats typically cannot change policies.