The lofty stature of Port Louis amongst African cities helps bring property for sale in Mauritius prominent on the radar screen of investors. Port Louis has earned this distinction in the annual quality of living ranking of the U.S. consultancy firm Mercer.
In recent years, Mercer has consistently ranked Port Louis amongst the world’s top 100 cities. The latest Mercer report has Port Louis at No. 83 worldwide and at no. 1 in Africa in cities with the best quality of living.
Port Louis’ overall quality of living rank is notably ahead of African cities Durban (88), Cape Town (95), and Johannesburg (96). These cities’ low ranking for personal safety weighed down their overall rating.
Significantly, the Mercer rating has factored in Port Louis as the safest city in Africa. Worldwide, Port Louis stands at 59th in the world as rated in the firm’s safety parameters.
Port Louis likewise emerged as the only African city which made the cut in the Mercer top-100 ranking for infrastructure. In this measure, the city ranked 94th, past Cape Town (101), Tunis (104), and Victoria (109) in Seychelles.
Mercer bases its infrastructure ranking on each city’s electricity and water supply, telephone and mail services, and public transportation. Traffic congestion and the availability of international flights from local airports are rated as well in the Mercer infrastructure ranking.
Winsome points of interest
Port Louis, with an area of 18 square miles, boasts of plenty of other features that boost the city’s quality of living. The points of interest in the city that contribute to the marketability of a property for sale in Mauritius include:
Shopping and dining destinations – Locals and visitors alike favour the scenic Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis for shopping and dining. This commercial hub spreads on a peninsula overlooking the Port Louis Harbour. It is home to 170 upscale shops and boutiques as well as high-end restaurants. Caudan also hosts a marina and several casinos.
Caudan Waterfront at Port Louis is one of the must-visit places in Mauritius.
Shoppers and diners can enjoy the local colour at the main public market of Port Louis. Walking distance east of the Caudan, the public market’s vendors offer fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also meat shops and local food stalls as well as stores selling locally made clothing and handicraft.
The Port Louis public market is likewise near the city’s Chinatown teeming with shops popular for their Chinese as well as other Asian goods. Traditional herbs and plans are also sold here.
Arts, culture, and history – Port Louis is home to the Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This well-preserved Immigration Depot is a national monument. Here, the British processed half a million indentured Indian labourers from 1849 to 1923. Most of them formed the backbone in the development of Mauritius as a nation.
There is another museum at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis—theBlue Penny Museum.This museum’s collection includes old marine maps, paintings, sculptures, stamps, and other Mauritian memorabilia. More items depicting the richness of the island’s history are also on display at the National History Museum in Port Louis.
There are many more perks in Port Louis and in other island districts when you buy a property in Mauritius. Contact a 2Futures consultant for an overview of the most desirable residential properties on the island’s real estate market.
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