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| Living in Mauritius has Pros and Cons |
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Mauritius is fast becoming an extremely attractive destination for many South Africans seeking a better lifestyle for themselves and their families. What exactly are the pros and cons of living on this island?
Mauritius' close proximity to South Africa makes it, at face value, a more comforting choice of destination for would-be immigrants than, for example, the United States or Europe. The island is now officially classed as a middle income country: According to the recent Human Development Index for 173 countries, Mauritius ranks 67th globally, 40th among developing countries and second in Africa. At the end of 2007, the population of the Republic of Mauritius stood at 1,264,866, with an estimated 21,000 immigrants.
The island's strongest appeal lies in its near-perfect climate, its lively and warm people, great food and low crime. Salaries for qualified ex-pats are said to be good when compared to South Africa, however the cost of living on the island is considerably high. Some of the most expensive items are purportedly accommodation, food (meat and vegetables) and basics such as toiletries and cleaning materials.
Internal travel is also slower than usual but this is ostensibly appropriate in keeping with the relaxed nature of the island. Mauritian roads range from smooth to pothole-ridden and driving can be a bit dicey around the island as speed limits are often ignored and throngs of pedestrians are a frequency.
There are few recorded incidents of violent crime – indeed the worst an inhabitant of the island may have to contend with is the odd dishonest trader, petty theft or pick pocketing. Mauritius has a strong and efficient police force and any criminal incidents are quickly dealt with and resolved. There is a specialist Crime Prevention Unit actively policing the island.
Mauritius has world-class private schools, however, many ex-pat South Africans have chosen to place their children in French medium private schools in order to provide them with an excellent grounding in another language. Many South African children quickly become equally fluent in French and English – a big advantage for their future careers. The quality of life on the island in terms of safety and outdoor activity is also ideal for children and in many cases less restrictive than other countries.
As is usually the case with expatriates, many of them tend to settle in the same areas. Traditionally, expatriates bound for Mauritius settle in Black River or Grand Baie, however, the Domaine de Bel Ombre in particular is proving to be an increasingly popular choice for immigrants.
"Bel Ombre is proving to a popular choice for immigrants due not only to the world-class lifestyle it affords but also because of its close proximity to good schooling and medical facilities. There are fantastic private schools in Floreal, which is about half an hour's drive from Bel Ombre. The best clinic on the island (Clinique Darne – Medical and Surgical Centre) also happens to be located in Floreal, and we are setting up an emergency support service linking to the clinic: They have a new ICU and cardiac centre, which is said to be the best private facility on the island," says Anton de Waal, chief executive officer of Villas Valriche, an Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) on the Domaine de Bel Ombre.
The Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) was introduced on the island by the Mauritian Government in collaboration with the Board of investment of Mauritius (BOI) in 2002 to facilitate the acquisition of resort and residential property by non-citizens on the island.
The IRS has served to boost the local economy and has also served to uplift local Mauritian communities as a portion of each development, as stipulated by Mauritian law, is required to be donated to the community within which it is built.
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