Monte Carlo, Monacco

[Lee]

This little country (about 3 times size of Washington DC) really intrigues me. What makes it so appealing to the tennis stars? Guys like Safin, Joachim Johansson, Ljubicic, Thomas Johansson, Mario Ancic, and Thomas Enqvist all reside in Monte Carlo.

I heard that you do not have to pay for property tax / income tax, but that's all I know about this country. Has anyone been to Monacco? Please share your experience here

 

[david aames]

Pretty boring and most of all not very welcoming if you have no business to be there in the first place. Surveillance cameras at every corner etc.

You don't pay income taxes if you declare residence there. If you're looking for old school French riviera look for Antibes/Juan Les Pains or Menton.

This little country (about 3 times size of Washington DC) really intrigues me. What makes it so appealing to the tennis stars? Guys like Safin, Joachim Johansson, Ljubicic, Thomas Johansson, Mario Ancic, and Thomas Enqvist all reside in Monte Carlo.

I heard that you do not have to pay for property tax / income tax, but that's all I know about this country. Has anyone been to Monacco? Please share your experience here

 

[david aames]

But I'd kill for a membership at...
http://www.mccc.mc/

 

[Lee]

Yup, mccc is where the Masters cup is played at. What a lavish way to enjoy tennis... I wish I could be a member someday

 

[aj_m2009]

Maybe it is because they like to gamble at the casino.

No, just kidding, unless it is true. Now I have never been to Monaco but I did study it for school a couple of years ago. It is about .76 sq. mi. in area, there are only two cities that I could find which are Monaco City and Monte Carlo, There are 3 major ports, it is actually 3x's the size of the mall in D.C., and Prince Rainer is the current ruler. I would have mentioned more but I have slept since then. And from pictures I have seen, it looks really crowded with buildings.

 

[Type40]

Great place if you are a rich celebrity, but not much fun for regular working stiffs.

 

[asman]

Hello everybody!
I live in Riviera dei fiori, in Italy, just near the French border. It takes half an hour to get to Monaco by car. I know Monaco very well. Personally I prefer the French towns of Cote d'Azur, like Nice, Menton or Antibes, Juan Les Pins...because Monaco is somewhat untrue. It's a plastic place, you know...Plenty of survellaince, agents because it's plenty of celebrities. It's a kind of luna park for rich people, casino, sunny warm climate all year long, the sea, luxury hotels and boutiques, dream cars, the tennis Open, the Rally, the F1 GP, discos, beaches...I' don't call it boring, but it's no real world!
Among a mass of cementification there is place also for a japanese garden and a world known exotic garden. Monaco is a very panoramic place, because it's a steep mountain where the prince, for busines, encouraged building speculation. Home are very high priced there, and you need one to get the residence. If you resides there (at least six month per year) you will not pay taxes to the prince Ranieri. Its economy prospers on tourism, congresses, casino, sport and life high society...

The MCCC is one the most beautiful tennis club in the world, I love it. Every year, in April I go there to watch the Open. It's exciting, really, plenty of vips, such a pleasant cool place for a tennis fan!

I think I'm lucky because I can play with shorts and t-shirt outdoor even during the winter season. The mildest climate in Europe!!!
Indeed, in the Solaro Tennis club where I play, Bob Brett (who lives in Monaco!!) opened in 2003 his tennis Academy.

If someone of you would come in Riviera, I'll wait for a match!!!

Give a look to:
http://www.solaro.dalweb.it/
http://www.bobbretttennis.com/


Bye!
Asman

 

[Lee]

Asman,

I envy you! I wish I could check out MCCC and all the beautiful things you have described about Monacco. That explains why these celebrities would choose to reside in Monacco. What do you mean by "plastic place"? Are you saying that this place is full of glory, like Las Vegas? Man, I want to check out this place so bad...

By the way, have you been to St Tropez? I heard it's one of P Diddy's favorite vacation spot and it's close to Monaco...

 

[david aames]

St Trop is a different story altogether. It was a village back in the 50s (and still is to some extent). Think East Hampton -- people renting villas in the surroundings and coming to St Tropez for the day to hang out at private beaches/clubs (La Voile Rouge etc.). If you're loaded, you will rent a spot in the harbor not too far from Senequier for your yacht.

Everything is now back in full swing thanks in part to P Diddy. He is partly credited for reviving the lavish lifestyle St Tropez was known for at its peak in the 70s.

It looks close to Monaco on the map but trafic can be a bi!ch during the season...

By the way, have you been to St Tropez? I heard it's one of P Diddy's favorite vacation spot and it's close to Monaco...

 

[Nastase]

If you visit Monte Carlo I think you can actually play on the courts...when I went I was able to pay a day fee to have restricted use of the club. Not too expensive as I recall. I got to hit there it was amazing. True story...I walked up to the desk at the tennis shop and asked for a court, thinking surely he would boot me or put me out on court 99. But he said "court central?". I thought he was joking, but out I went to center court. Now this was out of season and there were no stands, no fans. Just the ghosts of Borg and Vilas hanging around. Pretty amazing really. Beatiful city, lots of great day trips to south of France, nice coastal villages.

 

[tricky nicky]

I believe that monaco only remains a principality as long as their is a male heir in succesion.

as soon as a prince starts shooting blanks or does not produce a male heir.

monaco will revert back to the french

regards

tricky

 

[Marius_Hancu]

The sea and the coast are great there, esp in front of the Oceanographic Museum .... a very steep falaise ... Very nice natural position ... go and see them ...