North, South, East, West - Which Node is Best?
Written by Carol Reynolds
When I first began navigating this gorgeous island, I couldn’t help but giggle at the street signs: as you leave the airport you’ll be directed to either “the North” or “the South”! This is what I love about Mauritius: why complicate matters when life truly can be that simple?
As I delved a little deeper, my explorations across the island uncovered little nuggets in each of the primary nodes, so I thought I’d share my views on the features of each area.
The North
The North has always been regarded as the jewel in the crown: perched at the top of the island with spectacular white sandy beaches and the best climate, many gravitate here without even considering other nodes. The North does have it all: a shopping district, golf courses, hospitals, malls, markets, hotels, restaurants and of course, gorgeous beaches. So, if you’re wanting to be in the hub of activity, with everything at your fingertips, then this is an excellent choice.
The East
For some, the hustle and bustle of the North, may be less appealing, and hence other pockets like the burgeoning North East coast may hold more intrigue. I must confess that until my recent visit to the island, I hadn’t even considered the East coast because I had been told that it bears the brunt of the trade winds. However, I was blown away (no pun intended) by the new developments taking place on this side of the island – brand new lifestyle estates where homeowners can enjoy everything from private beaches to golf courses to spas, restaurants and coffee shops. I left wondering whether this would actually be my first choice – set just outside of the busy North, but close enough to pop in when needed. Food for thought?
The West
Then of course, we ventured to the West – perhaps the most popular part of the island for South African ex-pats. Here you’ll find surf, sunsets and a very hot climate which is protected from the wind. The West is being transformed into a busy self-contained hub, boasting the full spectrum of amenities from shopping malls like Cascavelle, to hospitals and restaurants, many of which are clustered within the Medine smart city which spans from Tamarin to Flic en Flac. Water sports are in abundance here and there are numerous estates and developments to suit every need and pocket.
The South
Heading to the South was a real eye-opener for me. In fact, in my opinion, the South is poised for excellent future growth, given the fact that it is currently a breathtaking blank canvas. I believe that in time, this area will become the most exclusive upmarket node on the island. At the moment, it is home to one of the most exceptional hotels in Mauritius (Anantara) and there is talk of exciting new developments in the wings. I have no doubt that the South is set to become Millionaire’s Mile with five star luxury living set amongst tranquil, unspoilt natural beauty, ideal for the discerning buyer. Watch this space!
Central
Finally, I had to see what all the fuss was about in the Centre of the island, where Moka, the new smart city is taking shape. Wow! Talk about a transformation. The Centre is literally becoming a first world business and residential district, where convenience meets lifestyle. Property in this area is selling like hot cakes, with high demand from the local community as well as foreigners seeking excellent returns and good capital growth. For those who are relocating to Mauritius for business purposes and need to be close to Port Louis, Ebene and the main commercial districts, then the Centre of the island is the perfect choice.
So, where to from here? Well, if you have time and money on your hands, and are wanting to escape to a secluded untouched pocket of paradise, consider the South. If lifestyle and being outside the hustle-and-bustle works for you, look East. If you simply want to be part of the tried and tested best area, go North. If you’re a surfer and being part of an ex-pat community appeals to you, head West. Finally, if you’re one of the few who is actually going to work on the island (rather than just play!) then definitely investigate the Centre.