Working in Paradise - Cost of Living in The Seychelles

by Tejas
(India)

Is 11,000 Seychelles rupees per month a good salary?

Hi friends,
I am tejas, an indian. I have been offered to work in Seychelles for 1 year on contract. I am very glad and excited too... The offered salary is 11,000 Seychelles rupees (SCR) per month. Is that good?

Kindly bring me up to speed on the cost of living in Seychelles... total expenses... I mean basic money which I have to spend for food, clothing and other general needs... How much would I be able to save out of my 11000 SCR after spending on my basic necessities?
Please answer me.

Tejas, India

Louis' reply:

Hey Tejas,
About saving money working and living in Seychelles... First you have to recognize that moving from India to Seychelles brings with it a huge hike in your cost of living as well as a new way of life. I also notice that you do not specify lodgings and work permits as expenses.

I am assuming that probably your prospective employer will take care of all that. And that's good! They will provide you with free accommodation in your contract, right? If not, then this is where most of your salary will go. Rent is high here. A basic home / apartment could easily consume half to three quarters of that monthly salary.

So if this is not taken care of for you, you may be out of pocket if you want to have a reasonably good experience living in the Seychelles. You should also know that everything is expensive in these islands because most goods and commodities are imported. There is no way around that, but...

In your given situation, for example, my suggestion is not to think of buying clothing here. Since you will be coming from India, get new clothes before you leave home. Bring with you all the clothing that you will need in the tropics. There is no winter in Seychelles. So bring only light summer clothes. And bring enough that you won't need to buy any during your 1-year stay here.


Please note that 11,000 Seychelles rupees (which is less than $1,000 USD today) is very little in this paradise island country but you could live on it. Many locals make do with less but it isn't easy to make ends meet, even for them. So savings is out of the equation.

Food cost is high. Most basic foodstuff is imported, and that includes rice, sugar and potatoes. For example rice would cost you 10 times, and more, what you are used to in India. Cost of living is high here and that includes food, rent, fuel, electricity, water telephone - In short, everything.

So do not think of coming to Seychelles to make savings on that salary. But if you would appreciate living in Seychelles as a new experience for one year, then by all means jump at the opportunity especially if your job allows you to have two days off every week to travel in these islands and discover it like the locals. It's the best way to enjoy the Seychelles.

I also notice that you say, you are excited by this offer. So it means more to you than just the salary and potential savings, right? If you are young and would like to experience a new country and a new way of life, then I would actually recommend that you take up the offer knowing that many come to Seychelles to work as volunteers - earning basically nothing. For them, it is an extended vacation - a working holiday. So, why not? Many would see this as a great opportunity.

One final word... Make sure your employer provides medical insurance / free health care. Then you'll have peace of mind, although I hasten to add that Seychelles is free from many diseases that you usually associate with tropical countries.

When you do come, enjoy your stay in our lovely Seychelles. :).