Bel Air vs Petit Raffray: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?

Bel Air is a small town of 18 thousand that punches well above its weight for expats, retirees, and digital nomads, with an overall expat score of 76/100 and a FIRE score of 78/100. Rents are the real draw: $650/mo for a one-bedroom in the center and $1,100/mo for a three-bedroom, while a single adult can live on a budget tier of $705/mo or a mid-range tier of $975/mo. The catch is the Mauritius Retirement Permit, which demands $24,000/mo in minimum income, a bar so high it rules out all but the wealthiest retirees despite the retiree score of 72/100. Digital nomads have a far easier path through the Mauritius Premium Visa at $1,500/mo, and with 40 Mbps internet, a $6 restaurant meal, and the airport just 4 km away, Bel Air is a practical base rather than a glamorous one.

Petit Raffray is a small northern village of 10 thousand people where a one-bedroom in the city center runs about $460/mo and utilities add just $42/mo, so your money stretches further than in most expat hubs. Retirees score it 75/100 thanks to good healthcare, a safety index of 65/100, and an air quality index of 35, though the Mauritius Retirement Permit demands $24,000/mo in income, which rules out all but the wealthy. Digital nomads get a more realistic path through the Mauritius Premium Visa at $1,500/mo, but a 54/100 nomad score and 25 Mbps internet mean this is a slow-living base, not a productivity powerhouse. English is common mainly in tourist areas, so expect to pick up some French or Creole if you settle in for the long haul.