'We had no time with our kids so we ditched UK for Mauritius after holiday there'

A family quit the UK and moved 6,000 miles to live in Mauritius - months after going on holiday there. Adam Short, 44, and his wife, Tara, 38, visited Mauritius in November 2024 with their two children - Spencer, nine, and Xander, four, and by this summer they had made the move.

They said they wanted to "get away from the rat race" and now feel like they're on "a permanent holiday". After returning to their home in Sheffield and getting back to 8am to 6pm workdays, they yearned for a "slower pace of life".

While it's not significantly cheaper there, they say it's worth the move for the stunning beaches, hot summers, welcoming neighbours and more family time. They don't miss the UK's miserable weather, lengthy workdays and endless traffic jams.

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The parents began discussing an international move and Mauritius was high up on their list. They dreamed of more family time and the idyllic island life.

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 £5,000 a year compared to around £25,000 a year in the UK, while both 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. 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. We work fewer hours because we can be more productive.

"The kids finish school at 2.30pm, so we can go to the beach or in the pool together. We enjoy as much family time as we can. 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 couple started contemplating relocating to a different culture after recognising they were barely spending time with 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 rented out their property, abandoning all their possessions except for just five suitcases of clothing and toiletries between the four of them. They touched down in Mauritius following a 13-hour flight on July 8. They secured a beautiful home and the couple registered their sons at a premier international private school there.

Adam said: "In the UK, a private school can be like, what, £20,000 or £30,000 a year for each child? Here, it's £5,000 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."

Being ahead of UK time means the parents can complete several hours of work before any UK teams begin and feel more efficient without interruptions. They can work flexible hours throughout the day, allowing them to take time off in the afternoons to spend with their sons after school.

Adam said: "Everything about island life is incredible - the beaches, the weather, the food."

Despite not being native, they said one of the most enjoyable parts of their move has been how warmly 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."

Regarding expenses, Adam said certain items cost more in Mauritius, while others work out cheaper. He believes overall, the relocation hasn't saved them money, but they enjoy a superior quality of life for what they spend.

Adam said a weekly grocery shop costs £200, plus another £20 spent on fresh fruit and veg at the market. Since most food and drinks are imported, alcohol prices are largely comparable to UK costs in tourist restaurants, but Adam said visiting local Creole establishments can be far more budget-friendly.

He explained: "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 to £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."

The family are absolutely smitten with their fresh start, with Adam revealing they're currently far too captivated by their new surroundings to give much thought to Britain.

He continued: "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."