Mauritius Forum

Jeremy · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 20:56 Post subject: question about moving to Mauritius

Hello,

It has recently dawned on me that whilst speaking with my wife's brothers, who live in Italy where we spent Christmas, about house and land prices in Mauritius (my wife is Mauritian, I am British) that we could sell our house here in the South of France, where we moved from the UK 4 and a half years ago, and buy a house or two outright (I have seen, for example, two nice bungalows side by side with land in the North-West of Mauritius about 4 minutes from the beach). As I am currently 43 it would be nice to erradicate the mortgage plus as I am paid in sterling and have a 50% share in my food publishing business my income would be higher relatively there with rupees than it is here in France and I think I could quite easily run the business from Mauritius. I would like my clients to think that I am still in France and I think that this is feasible via a rerouting system so that they phone my French number and I receive the telephone calls and faxes in Mauritius.
Would it be possible to buy such houses as my wife has Mauritian nationality and passport and she can get me a Mauritian passport as well?

I look forward to your comments.
Jeremy

thermo · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 0:59 Post subject:

Yes, it would be possible for you to live and buy land there, since your wife is Mauritian. But! I would strongly suggest that before you pack everything up in France, try going to Mauritius for a year or so and see how you like it. You might not like some aspects of it after the shine has worn off.
There is also a 3(?) hour time difference between France & Mu which could have an impact on business activities.

Jeremy · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:48 Post subject:

Many thanks for your reply.
What are the negative aspects of living in Mauritius compared to France (a few indicators would help).

Thanks,

Jeremy

thermo · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:38 Post subject:

This is a bit difficult to answer as it can depend on personal circumstances - What itches me might not necessarily itch you. So remember that what I say might be interpreted as total rubbish by someone else. I am not trying to put you off Mauritius, but the move will differ from that of UK to FR, hence my suggestion that you go for a year, or so, to see how you get on.

As a bit of background, I was born in MU to non-mauritian parents and grew up there before moving to the UK, and I have lived in Paris for 2 years (and eventually hated it). I wouldn't personally live and work in Mauritius at my age, 32, though I could consider it as a retirement destination when the time came, and as a holiday destination, is second to none)

These are my main gripes:
- Despite MU's multicultural credentials, the colour of your skin still counts and significant differences between ethnic & religious groups remain - across all social divides. This seeps into important areas such as employment, politics & government services.
- Though improving, it is not as advanced in it's development (services/entertainment) as Europe, so you might find that, due to its size, you get bored real quick after you have "seen & done it all".
- Graft, plenty of it.
- You are a foreigner, so you will be perceived & treated as someone with 'unlimited financial resources'.

Edited to add:
You can follow what goes on in the country, by reading two of the main newspapers, in mainly French, at:
- http://www.lexpress.mu
- http://www.lemauricien.com

Jeremy · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 22:32 Post subject:

Many thanks for your answer and I agree that when the time comes and I can afford some quite lengthy time out from my current routine it would be a good idea to go over to Mauritius for a big break to really see how daily life carries on.
Moving to France was easy as I had been coming here since the age of 6 and had lived in Tours for a year to study French, so I and my wife felt quite at home here within a few weeks.

thermo · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 15:27 Post subject:

On a related note, I saw this article (in French) published in l'express today. The authorities are lamenting themselves that very few people have taken advangage of incentives to encourage foreigners to come and live to Mauritius.

It is a very interesting read, and suprisingly candid.

You'll note that the article mentions that the largest number of British people who have come to live in Mauritius are retired.

http://www.lexpress.mu/display_article.php?news_id=101133

ana · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:00 Post subject: Moving to Mauritius

Hi!

I am not sure if you will like Mauritius. I was born in Mauritius and left the island at age 17 to attend university in the US. After graduation, I was hired by Harvard Medical School and stayed on. Two years ago, my husband (US citizen) and I decided to move to Mauritius. My husband has been running his business in the US from the island. The connectivity on the island is horrible. We have the best package offered by Mauritius Telecom and yet the service is unreliable and incredibly slow. My husband had the educate the telecom techs on several occasions (so much for being a cyber island!)

We are also being exploited and robbed by everyone on the island. My husband is a white American and because of his skin color, Mauritians feel entitled to his money. Our contractor (Sanjay Jhurry) robbed us about Rs 3.5 million on our house - we are still in court but since the contractor does not have any asset, the court has no recourse against him. We had similar experiences with 5 other contractors - they agree upon a price with me and the moment they see my husband and my children, the price goes up. We also filed several reports with the police and the CID but they never take any action. The island is incredibly corrupt and life is very frustrating. No matter where we go, people try to exploit and rob us.

We also hear about crimes against foreigners on a daily basis. It is worse in the North of the island. After two years, we regret moving to Mauritius. It was a terrible mistake. I just wanted to let you know about life on the island but you might not experience the same thing. Good luck.

ud · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 18:23 Post subject:

ana,

I'm sad to hear what has happened to you. The situation in Mauritius right now when it comes to Crime and Theft is almost the same as compared to the last years unless those figures are wrong. It's true that some tourists have been duped or mugged from their belongings. This is why on Monday, it was decided that the police force is to be more heavily manned to counter these happenings that spoil the reputation of the country.

You said:
"We are also being exploited and robbed by everyone on the island"
"The island is incredibly corrupt and life is very frustrating"

I agree that there are some people who try to dupe tourists and have them pay more for things but being duped by 5 contractors, that seems a bit outfledged and I'm afraid madam I can't think of someone doing the same mistake 5 times and blaming the whole country for that....it's too easy!

It might have been your bad luck. There are more success stories than mishappenings or else this forum would have been filled with complaints...

udester
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Leroy · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 19:21 Post subject:

Hi Ana, Ud and Forumers, !!

My opinion, there´s no so big Shoot to bad luck, only wrong "persons"
in "wrong place",

Ana, I´m foreign too here in Mtius, I have my Lovely Mtiuswife and our 8 months Bebe here.....
We bought our house via lawyer, and He was very
straight wiv my "rights" here...

He asked me several times, that r U sure that U want to do kind of things wiv House, Property, etc.,

....Here we are still,.....
I´m very, very sad , what´s happened to Your family, and mostly Your US
husband, who i think has done BIG work to
please U and family....

....But have to remember, like Your Husb, Me, and maybe U too
after several US years,
We are not in "our own motherland"", we r still frgns here...

But anyway, My and my familys HEART is Wiv U,...

With Blessings, Leroy& Family

ana · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 23:50 Post subject: moving to Mauritius

Ud,
The contractors names are Sanjay Jhurry, Tomadassen Narainen, Bhaye Ahmed, etc....
All 5 contractors were brought to us by the first one (Sanjay Jhurry). When they saw that he was able to get away with Rs 3.5 million, they wanted their share as well. They all took off with our money and did not give us anything in return. The first two mentioned above are being sued in the supreme court of Mauritius. The police and the head of the CID in Mauritius are still trying to help us but all said that unless the contractors have any asset, it is not worth going after them. The CID told us that the only mistake we made was to agree to give these contractors 50% of the funds up front to buy materials. Unfortunately, they never bought anything and took off.
Wherever you go on the island, someone will try to get you - they think that they are entitled to your money just because you are a foreigner and your skin is white. I am not white but my husband is and the behavior of the people on the island is disgusting.
The political parties play "musical chair" - the take turns robbing the public. The parties never change - when the ones in charge retire (to chateau du Reduit, for example), their children take over and embezzle more public funds. Same thing with the other party. The country is so corrupt that it is disgusting. We live in a very nice upscale area with several ministers around us. Whenever a member of their family has to go out, their police escort forces a way for them through traffic. They drive recklessly and on several occasions have come very close to crashing against cars in the opposite direction. I have never seen any senator behaving this way in the US. Totally disgusting behavior.

Leroy = We are glad that you are having a wonderful time and we wish you and your family the best.
Ana.

Mauritius Forum question about moving to Mauritius