Sought after suburbs in Mauritius

The allure of azure seas and an island lifestyle has drawn many South Africans to our island neighbour, Mauritius, in recent years.

Estate Living chatted to Natasha Lauderdale, a South African property professional, working for Pam Golding Mauritius as a Foreign Sales and Projects Consultant, to find out where most South Africans are choosing to settle when they arrive. 

Western and Northern coasts are the most attractive 

‘The two most sought-after suburbs in Mauritius, for expats and foreigners in particular, are Tamarin and Black River on the West Coast and Grand Baie on The North Coast. This is mainly attributable to the fact that these areas experience the most favourable weather conditions on the island, and they also offer superb access to international schools, excellent medical care and great facilities including restaurants and shopping malls,’ she says. 

Natasha says the west of Mauritius offers UNESCO World Heritage Sites, untouched beaches, quaint seaside villages, mountains, gorges, nature reserves and the bluest ocean, and that the area has retained its authenticity amid respectful and tasteful real-estate and commercial developments. 

‘Aside from its emerging infrastructure and the development of smart cities like Tamarin and Unicity, the area’s inherent natural beauty is incomparable. You can also expect a variety of retail centres offering extensive services, as well as private medical clinics, commercial centres and international schools,’ she says. 

According to Natasha the north of Mauritius is well-loved among global travellers. The area boasts powder-white beaches, emerald waters, warm tropical weather, sheltered bays and a quaint mixture of coastal and inland villages. At its centre is the lively resort town of Grand Baie which offers visitors and residents world-class amenities and facilities. 

‘It’s easy to fall in love with the magical north, where commercial and residential developments remain respectful of heritage and nature, and where life is leisurely, peaceful and comfortable. You can expect a lively mixture of restaurants and retail outlets in Grand Baie, an 18-hole championship golf course as well as international schools, and world-class banking and medical facilities.’ 

Inland ‘Smart Cities’ appealing to young professionals 

‘That being said, with the advent of the Smart City Schemes, the Uniciti in Cascavelle and Flic en Flac has become a very popular area as well as Moka in the central region which is particularly attractive to young professionals,’ says Natasha. 

The Smart Cities Schemes allow for the development of cosmopolitan mixed-use developments that revolve around the work, live and play concept, with smart technology and pioneering innovation at their core.  

South Africans can expect different buying processes and costs 

Also of interest to anyone planning their emigration and considering buying a home, Natasha shares that there are some differences between buying in South Africa and buying on the island.  

‘The first big difference when purchasing property in Mauritius vs South Africa is that foreigners/expats are restricted to purchasing within schemes that are tailored to foreign investment. Secondly, registration costs on the island include a 5% Government Registration Fee, a Notary Fee (Conveyancing Fee) of approximately 1% + Vat and then the administration fees applicable to applying for permanent residence permits and retirement visas and the like,’ she says. 

With entry level prices for foreign purchase at around MUR6,000,000 (around R2.5 million), Natasha says that in Mauritius commission percentages on sales are lower and that they are also split between the seller and the purchaser. Furthermore, water and electricity are both more affordable and there are no municipal rates payable. 

With its sought-after suburbs, emerging smart cities, and favourable investment landscape, Mauritius presents a compelling destination for those seeking a fresh start in a tropical paradise.