undefined

Sun, 5 Jul 2026 08:40:00 GMT

Mauritius1331 · Premium Relocation Guide

Best Places to Live in Mauritius

Choosing the right region may be the most important decision you make before relocating to Mauritius.

This is not about finding the most beautiful beach. It is about finding the place where your everyday life actually works.

Discuss Your Mauritius Strategy Back to Living in Mauritius

What this guide helps you decide

Which region fits your family, budget and lifestyle

Where expats, retirees, investors and entrepreneurs usually settle

Why school access, healthcare and traffic matter more than sea views

Which areas offer the strongest balance between quality of life and practicality

Why renting first is often the smarter decision before buying property

Editorial Perspective

Mauritius is small. Your lifestyle choices are not.

On a map, Mauritius looks simple. In real life, the island feels surprisingly diverse. A morning in Grand Baie is different from a school run in Moka, a sunset in Tamarin, a quiet weekend in Belle Mare or a business meeting in Ebene.

Many newcomers initially choose with their eyes. They remember the beach, the villa, the view from a terrace. But after the holiday feeling fades, daily life begins: school routes, doctors, supermarkets, traffic, internet, work, banking, friends, sports and the question of whether your chosen region still feels right after three normal months.

For the wider relocation framework, start with Living in Mauritius – The Ultimate Guide. If you are still testing the decision, also read Living in Mauritius: Pros and Cons and Cost of Living in Mauritius.

Mauritius1331 Insight: The happiest long-term residents usually choose the region that makes their weekly routine easier — not the one that looked most impressive during a holiday.

At a Glance

The strongest regions for different lifestyles.

★★★★★

Grand Baie & the North

Best for easy arrival, restaurants, shopping, beach access, social life and an international community.

★★★★★

Tamarin & Black River

Best for families, sunsets, outdoor lifestyle, nature, premium property and west coast living.

★★★★★

Moka & the Centre

Best for schools, business access, healthcare, daily convenience and a cooler inland climate.

★★★★☆

Flic en Flac

Best for long beach life, casual living, restaurants, rental appeal and relaxed west coast atmosphere.

★★★★☆

Belle Mare & the East

Best for privacy, resort lifestyle, long beaches, luxury escapes and a quieter rhythm.

★★★★☆

Bel Ombre & the South

Best for golf, nature, quiet luxury, resort-style living and people who do not need daily urban access.

Decision Framework

Do not choose a region. Choose your real week.

The best place to live in Mauritius depends on what your Monday to Friday actually looks like.

A retired couple with private healthcare needs, a family with two children in international schools, a remote entrepreneur and a property investor should not automatically choose the same region.

The five questions that matter

Where will the children go to school?

How often do you need Port Louis, Ebene or Moka?

Do you need private healthcare nearby?

Do you prefer restaurants and social life or privacy and nature?

Are you buying for lifestyle, investment, residency or all three?

Priority | Strongest regions | Strategic comment
International schools | Moka, Tamarin, North, Centre | Choose school access before signing a lease or buying property.
Beach lifestyle | Grand Baie, Pereybere, Tamarin, Flic en Flac, Belle Mare | Beach access is attractive, but not enough for long-term comfort.
Business access | Moka, Ebene, Port Louis, Beau Plan | Entrepreneurs should evaluate meetings, banking and commute patterns.
Family life | Tamarin, Moka, Grand Baie, Black River | Daily logistics often matter more than villa size.
Retirement | North, West, Bel Ombre, selected East Coast areas | Healthcare, mobility and social life become increasingly important.
Luxury property | Black River, Grand Baie, Bel Ombre, Beau Champ, Tamarin | Evaluate developer quality, resale potential and property management.

The North

Grand Baie, Pereybere, Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches.

The North is the easiest place for many international residents to arrive. It offers convenience, restaurants, shopping, beaches and a strong expat network.

Grand Baie is the social and lifestyle centre of the North. Pereybere feels more relaxed. Mont Choisy offers long beach walks and golf. Trou aux Biches is softer, quieter and especially attractive for beach-focused families and retirees.

Read the regional guides for Grand Baie, Pereybere, Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches.

Best for: expats who want convenience, restaurants, supermarkets, beach access, social life and a smoother landing.

Grand Baie

The strongest all-round expat hub in the North. Convenient, social, active and close to many services.

Pereybere

A more relaxed beach lifestyle close to Grand Baie, popular with residents who want calm without isolation.

Mont Choisy

Long beach, golf, modern developments and a more open feeling than the busier centre of Grand Baie.

The West

Tamarin, Black River and Flic en Flac.

The West feels more cinematic. Mountains, sunsets, beaches, outdoor life and premium residential areas create one of the most desirable lifestyles on the island.

Tamarin is especially strong for families and entrepreneurs. Black River is associated with luxury property, space and nature. Flic en Flac offers a long beach, restaurants and a more casual atmosphere with strong rental appeal.

Explore the guides for Tamarin, Flic en Flac, Le Morne and Chamarel.

Best for: families, outdoor-oriented residents, property buyers, entrepreneurs and people who want nature without giving up infrastructure.

If your children finish school in the afternoon and twenty minutes later you are sitting together near the beach, Mauritius starts feeling very different from Europe.

The Centre

Moka, Ebene, Curepipe and Floréal.

The Centre is less emotional at first glance, but often more practical for everyday life.

Moka and Ebene are important for professionals, entrepreneurs and families who need access to schools, offices, healthcare and daily services. The climate is cooler, the beach is not directly outside your door, but the convenience can be powerful.

For business-oriented readers, the Centre should be considered together with Mauritius for Entrepreneurs, Business & Real Estate in Mauritius and Port Louis.

Best for: families focused on schools, professionals, business owners, healthcare access and people who value practicality over beach proximity.

Lifestyle Profiles

Best places to live by personal situation.

For families

Tamarin, Moka, Grand Baie and Black River are among the strongest choices because they combine schools, infrastructure and lifestyle.

Moving to Mauritius with Family

For retirees

Grand Baie, Pereybere, Black River, Bel Ombre and selected East Coast areas can work depending on healthcare, mobility and social needs.

Retirees in Mauritius

For entrepreneurs

Moka, Ebene and Port Louis offer practical business access, while Tamarin, Black River and Grand Baie provide stronger lifestyle appeal.

Mauritius for Entrepreneurs

For property investors

Grand Baie, Tamarin, Black River, Moka and selected resort or smart city developments often attract strong investor interest.

Buying Property as a Foreigner

For digital nomads

Grand Baie, Tamarin, Moka and Flic en Flac can work well when internet, cafés, transport and daily convenience are aligned.

Digital Nomad Mauritius

For quiet luxury

Black River, Belle Mare, Bel Ombre and parts of the East Coast suit people who value privacy, space and resort-style living.

Belle Mare Mauritius

North vs West vs Centre

The most important comparison.

Category | North | West | Centre
Best for | Convenience and lifestyle | Families and nature | Business and schools
Beach access | Excellent | Excellent | Limited
Business access | Good | Good | Excellent
Schools | Good | Good | Excellent
Expat community | Very strong | Very strong | Moderate to strong
Strategic risk | Choosing busy lifestyle when you need quiet | Underestimating commute and property costs | Missing beach lifestyle if that matters emotionally

Common Mistakes

The wrong region can make the right move feel difficult.

Choosing a property before understanding daily commute times.

Prioritising sea view over school access.

Underestimating traffic during peak hours.

Choosing a holiday location instead of a residential location.

Ignoring healthcare access.

Buying before renting and testing the area.

Assuming all coastal regions feel the same.

Forgetting that lifestyle needs change over time.

Mauritius1331 Insight: Many expensive mistakes are not legal mistakes. They are lifestyle mistakes. The wrong region can quietly cost time, energy and quality of life every single day.

Rent Before Buying

Should you rent before buying property in Mauritius?

In many cases, yes. Renting first allows you to understand the island before making a major investment.

A region that feels perfect during a holiday may feel different after three months of school runs, shopping, traffic, humidity, administration and daily routines. Renting gives you time to compare the North, West, Centre and East with real-life experience.

Before buying, combine this guide with Buying Property in Mauritius as a Foreigner, Cost of Living in Mauritius and Is Mauritius Safe for Expats?.

Final Recommendation

There is no single best place to live in Mauritius.

There is only the best place for your lifestyle, your family, your work and your long-term plan.

If you want restaurants, convenience and an easy landing, the North may be ideal. If you want nature, family life and sunsets, the West is very strong. If you need schools, offices and daily practicality, the Centre may be the smartest choice. If you want privacy, luxury and space, the East or South may suit you better.

The key is to make the decision based on real daily life, not only on holiday impressions.

Continue your planning

Living in Mauritius – The Ultimate Guide

Moving to Mauritius Checklist

Healthcare in Mauritius

Business & Real Estate in Mauritius

Book a Personal Consultation

FAQ

Best places to live in Mauritius – FAQ.

Where do most expats live in Mauritius?

Many expats live in the North around Grand Baie and Pereybere, the West around Tamarin and Black River, and the Centre around Moka and Ebene.

What is the best place to live in Mauritius for families?

Tamarin, Moka, Grand Baie and Black River are among the strongest options for families because they combine schools, infrastructure and lifestyle.

What is the best place to live in Mauritius for retirees?

Retirees often prefer Grand Baie, Pereybere, Black River, Bel Ombre or selected East Coast areas depending on whether they value convenience, peace, healthcare access or resort-style living.

Is the North or West better for expats?

The North is better for convenience, restaurants and social life. The West is better for nature, families, outdoor lifestyle and premium residential living.

Is Moka a good place to live?

Yes. Moka is one of the most practical places to live in Mauritius, especially for families and professionals who value schools, offices, healthcare and daily convenience.

Should I rent before buying property in Mauritius?

For many newcomers, renting first is a wise decision. It allows you to test different regions before making a long-term property purchase.