A BRITISH family reveals that they ditched the UK for one of the most luxurious islands in the world.
Adam Short, 44, and his wife, Tara, 38, visited the island of Mauritius in November 2024 with their two children – Spencer, nine, and Xander, four – for a break, but ended up falling in love with the lifestyle.
Adam Short, 44, his wife, Tara, 38, with their children – Spencer, 9, and Xander, 4, who ditched the UK for Mauritius[/caption]
When they got back to their home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, they realised they were sick of the 8am-6pm workdays and longed for a “slower pace of life”.
While they say living costs are exactly the same – they say it’s worth the move for the stunning beaches, hot summers, welcoming neighbours and more family time.
And they don’t miss the UK’s dreary weather, long workdays and endless traffic jams.
The parents began discussing an international move after their holiday – and Mauritius was high-up on their list.
CEO Tara and car sales business owner Adam put their four-bed UK home up for rent and booked one-way flights to Grand Baie in July.
Armed with nothing more than five suitcases, the parents and their sons began a new life.
They told themselves that if, in two years, they weren’t happy, they’d return to the UK.
But after settling into a four-bed rental house with a pool, a stone’s throw from the beach, the family don’t see themselves heading back anytime soon.
The two lads are attending an international private school costing £5k-a-year compared to around £25k-a-year in the UK, while both the parents say they can continue running their UK businesses flexibly from Mauritius.
Adam said: “Back in the UK, we weren’t being a proper family – we were just existing together.
The family say they don’t miss the UK weather[/caption]
“We were desperate to get away from the rat race.
“We thought there had to be a better standard of life out in Mauritius – and there is.”
Now, the couple says that they both work fewer hours and spend more time together as a family.
“The kids finish school at 2.30pm so we can go to the beach or in the pool together,” Adam adds. “We enjoy as much family time as we can.
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“I get asked every day on social media how we managed to do this – but it’s achievable if you just commit to it.”
The parents began considering a move to another culture after realising they were hardly seeing their own children.
Adam said: “I used to say to my friends, ‘I feel like I don’t know my kids.’
“I would see them every day, but it was all rushing around, getting them ready for school, tea, bed.”
Adam and Tara finally decided to take the leap and rent out their UK home, travelling to the Island with just five suitcases in July of this year.
They rented a home and the parents enrolled their sons in a top-level international private school there.
Adam said: “In the UK, a private school can be like, what, £20k or £30k a year for each child?
“Here, it’s £5k a year for the best school on the island.
“We were spending that much just on the breakfast and after school clubs in the UK!”
Because they’re ahead of UK time, the parents can get several hours of work done before any of the UK teams start – and feel more productive without distractions.
And they can work flexible hours throughout the day, so they can take time away in the afternoons to spend with their sons after school.
Adam said: “Everything about island life is incredible – the beaches, the weather, the food.”
Now, they get to sepdn their afternoons relaxing by the pool instead of working[/caption]
Despite not being native, they said one of the most enjoyable parts of their move has been how much they’ve been welcomed.
Adam said: “Everyone is so lovely – we’ve been invited to a meal at a Mauritian family’s home this weekend.
“Mauritian life is very family-focused which is what we want.
“On the weekends, you go down to the beach and hundreds of families are out all having barbecues with little gazebos.
“When you walk past, every family will invite you to join them and share their food.
“All the kids play together. It’s lovely.”
As for cost, Adam said some things are more expensive in Mauritius – although others work out less.
He feels overall, the move hasn’t saved them money – but they get a better life for what they pay.
Adam said a weekly grocery shop costs £200, plus another £20 spent on fresh fruit and veg at the market.
Because most food and drinks are imported, the cost of alcohol is largely similar to UK prices in tourist-focused restaurants.
But Adam said visiting local Creole establishments can be much more affordable.
He said: “At a local Creole place, you can get a nice meal with a bottle of South African wine for £40.
“Touristy spots near the beachfront, you’d pay £100-£120 for that.
“The supermarkets are expensive because things are imported, but the fresh fruit and veg at the market is so much fresher and cheaper.
“We have rotis for breakfast now instead of cereal – a type of flatbread-like street food – and you buy them from the street sellers for about 20p each.
“So when you first get here, you assume everything is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.”
Overall the family love their new life – and Adam says currently they’re too absorbed in the culture to think much about the UK.
He added: “I try not to look at the UK news. It’s all bad. I’ve deleted all the news apps.
“Now, we’re here, and we’re living in the moment.”
