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About Morocco

Morocco, the "Land of the Farthest West", is a dream kingdom, both strikingly exotic and yet strangely familiar, where snow clad mountains rise from desert plains, and the smell of ripening dates and orange blossom perfume the air. Once described by Barbara Hutton, the tragic multi-millionairess Woolworths´ heiress, as her very own "never-never land", it has preserved all the charm of a land rooted in the culture of Sherazade’s ‘Thousand and one nights’, but without renouncing modernity and progress. Its auto routes, private clinics, schools and universities rival those of the United States and Europe, whilst almost every street, even in ancient Kasbahs and medinas, boasts a ubiquitous Cyber Café. And yet, people still dress in flowing kandoras and colourful kaftans, and wander lazily through shady bazaars, where beams of sunlight pierce blue clouds of incense smoke, while the Muezzins call the faithful to prayer five times a day.

Few countries can boast a more moderate climate than Morocco where, for example, the mean summer temperature of Tangier rarely exceeds a summer maximum of 33c., or falls below a winter minimum of 15c. And where else but in Marrakech can one ski before breakfast on the finest virgin snow runs, shop at fashionable boutiques and art galleries mid morning, sunbathe through a sun drenched afternoon by a sparkling pool, and gamble all night in one of the world’s most fashionable casinos?

A land of tolerance, Morocco is that rarest thing in North Africa, and indeed in much of the world, a politically stable, economically vibrant, culturally tolerant, democratic and pluralistic society. But then, as it has frequently been remarked, "Morocco is not Africa!" It is, in a real sense, an integral part of Southern Europe, or at least of the Mediterranean basin, and the vast majority of her welcoming, courteous and generous people, descended from the original Berber inhabitants, with admixtures of Roman, Greek, Teutonic Vandal, French and Spanish blood, are proud of their heritage, and aware that they share much in common with the other peoples of the ‘Roman Sea’. How could it be otherwise in a country dotted with classical ruins, and given the fact that one of her largest and most elegant cities, Tangier, is separated by less than a score of miles from the Spanish Mainland, a mere 35 minute hydrofoil journey away?

This very proximity and the historical fact that for the better part of half a century Morocco was divided into French and Spanish Protectorates, whilst Tangier remained subject to International Administration, has left the country with a unique polyglot, multi-cultural heritage. French is as widely spoken in Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat as it is in any department of France Outre-Mer, but often with a purer accent and vocabulary, whilst Spanish is spoken throughout the North of Morocco, from Tetouan to Larache, and from Azilah to Oujda. And everywhere English rivals both French and Spanish as the language of the young and professional classes. Moroccans are as addicted to their petit pain au chocolate and croissants at breakfast as any French Bourgeois, and paella is so naturalised as to constitute a national dish, whilst copies of ‘The Times’ and ‘Daily Telegraph’ are as readily available in Marrakech or Tangier as they are in London.

Two questions are invariably uppermost in the minds of expatriates relocating to Morocco: how will it affect their children’s education, and what will the financial repercussions be in their particular case? Regarding the latter, Morocco’s liberal attitude to personal and property taxation, and especially the exemption from taxation granted to those living on pensions and unearned incomes, combined with the affordability of luxury housing at perhaps a quarter of the price of similar properties in Europe, the ready availability of domestic staff at extremely moderate rates, and a low cost of living, are all contributing factors in making ‘The Land of the farthest West’ one of the most popular second home destinations for Europeans. The fact that both Tangier and Marrakech are within a few hours flying distance from the principal European capitals (London to Tangier), for example, is two and a half hours, and London to Marrakech some three and a half) is also a decided advantage.

Schooling is always a major problem confronting young expatriates with children, but in Morocco it rarely constitutes an issue. The American Schools of Tangier and Marrakech, and the English College, Tangier, are not only among the best purpose-built, most progressive and modern educational institutions in Africa, but employ English as their language of tuition, and yearly see their most promising students enter Oxford Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, the Sorbonne and other prestigious universities. Similarly the Lycee Regnault and the Collegio Ramon y Cajal in Tangier provide unrivalled educational facilities for French and Spanish speaking pupils. And in every case the tuition fees are substantially less than in similar private or State funded American or European educational establishments.

What holds good for taxation and schooling is equally applicable to other amenities, from membership fees of the numerous Royal Golf, Equestrian and Yacht Clubs, to the cost of berthing fees at the many Atlantic and Mediterranean marinas (under €35 per month!). The savings which may be made, vis-à-vis Moroccan and equivalent European service or membership fees are simply incredible.

Medical costs and standards of treatment are invariably an important issue for expatriates, particularly those fortunate enough to have reached retirement age. Whilst Morocco does not possess a ‘National Health Service’ granting reciprocity of Health Care, the cost of private treatment is considerably less than in Europe or the United States. For example, a visit to the dentist, for a check-up or a filling might cost in the region of 300 Dirhams/30 Euros and a doctor would charge some 30 Euros for visiting a patient at home. Even specialists would rarely charge a larger consultation fee than an individual might happily pay for an indifferent dinner in an unpretentious restaurant in London, Paris or Madrid! This fact is all the more remarkable given that so many Moroccan medical personnel have been trained at English, Spanish, French and American Universities, and served their internships in prestigious Hospital-Teaching facilities.

Why one should choose to invest in a property in Morocco speaks for itself, but why should you personally choose to purchase a property through MOROCCAN PROPERTIES? Quite simply our company boasts a combined expertise of over a century in dealing with property purchases in Spain, Morocco and Dubai, and we can call on the talents of numerous Moroccan professional associates who can steer you through the maze of ‘Traditional Deeds’ and ‘Titre Fonciers’, of ‘Lettres de Procuration’ and property searches, which so often obfuscate the buying procedure. We can ensure that when you purchase a property you do not inherit testamentary, taxation or other financial claims against it. And once you decide on purchasing a residence, or business, through MOROCCAN PROPERTIES we will provide you with a detailed explanation of the procedures involved, recommend experienced notaries and solicitors to handle the search, conveyancing and registration procedures, and, if necessary financial advisors to advise you on your optimum personal investment and taxation strategy.

MOROCCAN PROPERTIES can assist you in applying for ‘Residency’, should you wish to live all year in Morocco, and not merely pay multiple visits of less than three months at a time per year, arrange for the shipment of your household effects, introduce you to legal and medical professionals, consuls and headmasters, architects and builders, and garden and interior designers. We can provide guidance on where to hire and how much to pay domestic staff, and in every way facilitate your future life in Morocco. And when you have purchased your dream home, our associate company, The Lawrence-Arnott Art Galleries, Tangier and Marrakech, will be delighted to assist you in choosing spectacular paintings by Morocco’s most talented native and expatriate artists, to adorn its walls.

The Moroccan property market is booming. House prices are rising at a rate of approximately 15% per year, but whereas one could hardly purchase a semi-detached house in an unfashionable suburb of London Madrid or Paris for less than €750,000, such a sum would certainly purchase a luxury villa, with a pool and garden, in the most fashionable arrondissements of Tangier or Marrakech. And many traditional properties, in the picturesque ancient medinas cost substantially less!

Why hesitate? Contact MOROCCAN PROPERTIES, instruct us on your property requirements, and let our offices in Tangier or Marrakech find you the home of your dreams, and a price you never dreamt it was still possible to fulfil a dream for.

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