A man who left Britain to live on an East African island has revealed why he is glad he made the move.
Kris Lutchmayah, ‘born and bred’ in Birmingham, says expats in Mauritius benefit from ‘cheaper property and living costs’ and more ‘opportunities and adventures’.
The tropical climate also wins out over the ‘gloomy skies’ of Britain, and so does the sense of security.
Discussing his emigration, the businessman told MailOnline Travel: ‘The cost of living in Mauritius is generally much lower than in the UK, especially in terms of housing, utilities and groceries, which has allowed me to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
‘Here too, property is reasonably affordable compared to the UK. Granted, some imported goods are more expensive, but the overall savings more than make up for this.’
Kris Lutchmayah, above, who was ‘born and raised’ in Birmingham, says expats benefit from ‘cheaper housing and lower living costs’ when living in Mauritius, East Africa
Kris says there are more ‘opportunities and adventures’ in Mauritius. Above – the island’s mountain Le Morne Brabant
The weather is now ‘lovely’.
Kris – property manager, digital marketer, actor and model – continues: ‘Mauritius enjoys a wonderful tropical climate with warm and sunny weather all year round.
‘And let me tell you, after years of enduring the unpredictable cold, rain and gloomy skies in Britain, this consistent warm sunshine is an absolute dream!
“It makes it so effortless to take full advantage of the incredible outdoor activities and natural beauty this island has to offer every day.”
The 40-year-old decided to move permanently to the islands ten years ago after falling in love with Mauritius as a child during family visits.
He posts about his island lifestyle – and his experiences as an expat – on Instagram using the username @just.krisxwhere he has more than 10,000 followers.
When he was given the opportunity to open his own business in the countryside, he decided to ‘take the plunge’.
Kris says it’s “effortless to make the most of Mauritius’ incredible outdoor activities and natural beauty.” Above, the island’s Flic en Flac beach
LEFT: Kris claims that ‘the biggest ‘dangers’ are probably the temptation to overindulge in the delicious local food and drink’. RIGHT: The 40-year-old chose to move to Mauritius permanently a decade ago after falling in love with it as a child during family visits
Kris explains: ‘As someone who was born and raised in Birmingham and comes from a family with Mauritian roots, I always felt a deep connection with the island of Mauritius.
‘The vibrant culture, the warm people and the beautiful nature have won my heart.
“The opportunity to reconnect with my cultural roots while pursuing entrepreneurial dreams made Mauritius the perfect new home for me.”
While the island nation has many advantages, Kris claims the move wasn’t always easy.
He explained: ‘The transition certainly brought challenges: adapting to new customs, learning the local languages and finding a foothold in Mauritian society.’
Fortunately, he claims, he immediately felt ‘welcome’ by the ‘warmth and hospitality of the local Mauritian community’.
Kris said he loved the “vibrant culture, warm people and breathtaking natural landscapes” of Mauritius, where he has lived for 10 years
On the left of the photo, Kris is standing by the ocean on the coast of Mauritius. After spending ten years in Mauritius, he said he has no plans to return to Britain for the time being
Although the expat notes that there is some “petty crime” in Mauritius, he notes that overall the island is “an extremely safe and protected place to live, without major dangers.”
Kris commented: “Mauritius is generally an extremely safe place to live.
‘Of course, as everywhere, basic precautions are wise to prevent petty crimes such as theft. But there are no major dangers or safety concerns that would make me feel unsafe calling this island home.
‘The biggest “dangers” are probably the temptation to overindulge in the delicious local food and drinks!’
Kris has lived in East Africa for many years and says he has no plans to return to the UK anytime soon.
He said: ‘Although I miss my loved ones in Birmingham, the opportunities and adventures Mauritius has given me are well worth the distance.’
“I remain open to whatever the future holds and where life’s journey may take me next.
‘A return to Britain is not yet out of the question, but for now Mauritius is where I need to be.
‘This island has truly become my home.’
Kris can be found here on TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@justkrisx.
