Newbie

Hi Andre Swanepoel,

Welcome to Expat.com

Do you have any specific questions regarding life in Mauritius?

Maybe a few words about your places of interest might help you in creating some contacts

Thank you,

Hasnaa
Expat.com Team

Hi Andre,

Congratulations on making your move. You picked a good area to move to in terms of English speakers.

We finally made it here in November, and live in Rose Hill.

We have a daughter of a similar age to you.

Happy chat or private message,

David.

Hi Andre !

I am from South Africa and considering making the move with my family too.  How has it been since you started there.  I am in the financial field and still bombing cv's everywhere.

Hello Nardie,

Kindly note that Andre has not responded since 2013.

Regards
Yuveshen

Thanks Yuveshen ! Probably not active on forum still.

Hi Nardie

I've been living here for about 1,5 years. If you are South African I would say it is quite easy to adapt to living in Mauritius. It's safe and people are friendly. We drive on the same side of the road. The food is good.

The humidity is something to get use to if you're not coming from Durbs.

You get a great tax break but things are more expensive hear so you should look for in increased salary of about 10 - 15% compared to SA depending on whether you get a housing allowance.

We live in the west(Tamarin area) and there are quite a number of South Africans here and also a large Ex-pat community.

Let me know if you have some more questions.

Regards

Hello Andre

We are busy with the process to move to Mauritius as retired citizens. (Next year). The 40,000 USD per year that you have to guarantee equates to 120,000 MUR per month.  In your opinion, if your house and car is paid, will the 120,000 MUR pm be enough for 2 people to live fairly comfortable? Second question:  I currently live off living annuity, which I intend to convert to a pension fund when we move.  In S.A. it is advisable to construct your pension in a way that you allow for inflation of at least 7.5%.  What would you reckon the situation would be for Mauritius?

Hello Johan,

I don't have statistics on inflation here in Mauritius, but I would guess it is round about the same as SA. You should be fine with MUR120 000/month if your house and car is payed for. Just remember cars are twice the price in Mauritius compared to SA because of the import duty. Like I said below I estimate cost of living about 10-15% more expensive than SA.

I would do my homework with regard to how much money you can take out of SA and how. Its quite a process due to the exchange control in SA. In SA you are also limited to the amount of foreign investment so I'm not sure if you will only convert your pension once you have brought all your money to Mauritius or already in SA.

I wouldn't recommend moving here if you are going to be depended on transferring money to Mauritius from SA on a monthly basis. Exchange control is just to harsh.....unless you know of a different solution that I'm not aware off. Its best to bring a lump sum in. Transferring money from Mauritius to SA and to anywhere else on the other hand is quite easy.

Hope that helps

All the best.

Thats great to hear Andre. Thank you for the reply i really appreciate.

do you perhaps have any contacts in die financial sector. Specifically tax / accounting / auditing. I am currently job hunting.

Did you being anything over from South Africa when yoi moved.

thanks again

Hi Nardie,

Sorry can't help you with the Job hunting. Its not really my field. I just think you are going to face stiff competition in the financial field as the local Schools specialise in this sector. So everybody studies accounting. Unless you really have a high qualification(CA and above)......good luck.

I moved a 6m container over from SA with my house furniture. That is going to cost you about R60 000. You have to have a work permit before you clear it at the port or else you will have to pay taxes and duties on it.

Regards

Thanks Andre!

The financial sector always seems to be competitive but at least im used to it. I am not a CA but I have 2 masters degrees and I am halfway through an LLB. Really looking for a tax consultancy firm to work for but those jobs seems scarce.

I will keep plugging. Please let me know if you do come across anything interesting.

thanks for your time.

Hi .

I am also a South African Durbanite . Wanting to move my family to a safer country . So tied of the crime and now the xenophobia . 
I am an Insurance Broker . Need to secure employment for a work visa . Do you have an contacts ?