where do expats live in brussels

Where do expats live in Brussels?

1. Brussels Ville. Brussels City lies among the boulevards that envelop “the ring” or the historic and commercial centre of the capital.
2. Etterbeek.
3. Ixelles.
4. Woluwe Saint Pierre.
5. Watermael-Boitsfort.

Full Answer

Is Brussels a good place to live as an expat?

Jan 17, 2022 · Where Do Expats Live In Brussels? Saint-Gilles is really a favorite The city neighborhood among expats who choose to reside like locals. In the top finish, using its grand Art Nouveau houses, lower towards the earthy Gare du Midi, Saint-Gilles comes complete with cool restaurants, shops, and buzzing nightlife.

Is Brussels a city of neighbourhoods?

Where do most expats live in Brussels? Here are the best districts in Brussels for expats: Brussels City Center. Ixelles. Saint-Gilles. Schaerbeek. Etterbeek. Watermael-Boitsfort and Uccle. Woluwe Saint Pierre and Woluwe Saint Lambert. The European District. Where do expats live in Belgium? Best cities in Belgium. Brussels.

Where are the best residential districts in Brussels?

Ixelles. The favourite area of French expats, it has also become Brussels' most expensive. Its chic atmosphere of being a village within the city, its houses and its Brussels-style townhouses, its lively parks and squares and its many trendy bars and restaurants make it …

Where are the best places to live in Europe?

Where do expats live in Brussels? 1 - Brussels Ville. Brussels City lies among the boulevards that envelop “the ring” or the historic and commercial... 2 - Etterbeek. 3 - Ixelles. 4 - Woluwe Saint Pierre. 5 - Watermael-Boitsfort.

Where should I not live in Brussels?

In Brussels, be wary in Schaerbeek, Brussels North, Brussels Center, Molenbeek and Anderlecht. There have been reports of visitors being threatened with violence in the popular Parc de Bruxelles/Warandepark, between the Royal Palace and Belgian Parliament (known as Parc Royale).

Where do expats live in Belgium?

Brussels is unsurprisingly the city that attracts most expats looking to find a job or start a business. It's the city with the largest economy in Belgium and is also home to both the NATO headquarters and multiple EU institutions.Feb 22, 2022

Where should I live if I work in Brussels?

Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best Places to Live in Brussels1 - Brussels Ville. Brussels City lies among the boulevards that envelop “the ring” or the historic and commercial centre of the capital. ... 2 - Etterbeek. ... 3 - Ixelles. ... 4 - Woluwe Saint Pierre. ... 5 - Watermael-Boitsfort.Feb 28, 2019

Where do the rich live in Brussels?

The district Le Vivier d'Oie in Uccle is by far the richest with an average of €65,511 per tax return. The area around the West Station in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is the poorest with an average of €15,943 per tax return, writes brusselnieuws.be.Aug 26, 2015

Is Brussels a nice place to live?

For families and young professionals, Brussels is a massively popular choice for a relocation. It doesn't quite offer the latte-laden, avocado-packed edge and excitement of bohemian cities like Amsterdam and Berlin, but it offers great job opportunities, excellent schools and a fantastic quality of life.Feb 17, 2021

What is the cheapest city to live in Belgium?

The three cheapest municipalities in Belgium are Colfontaine, Quaregnon and Boussu, all in the suburbs of Mons. Mons itself is the 50th cheapest nationwide. The Hainaut province is by far the poorest.

Is Belgium a good place for expats?

High living standards and excellent public facilities are two of the things that have made Belgium a popular destination for expats. According to the OECD Better Life Index, Belgium offers a high quality of housing, income, employment, and education.

Can an American retire in Belgium?

Retirement to Belgium In order to retire to Belgium, you will need to show that you are able to support yourself without working. This can be done by providing bank statements, pension statements or proof of income from real estate for the last six months.

What to know before moving to Brussels?

Seven things you should know before moving to Belgium1 Geography: Where is Belgium exactly? ... 2 Language: Do you speak… ... 3 Politics: It's complicated. ... 4 Taxes: Take a deep breath. ... 5 Weather: Not too hot, not too cold. ... 6 Traffic: It's going to be a long ride. ... 7 Food and drink: No, you won't get fat if you live like a Belgian.Feb 18, 2018

Is it cheaper to live in Brussels?

Summary about cost of living in Brussels, Belgium: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,257$ (2,965€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 916$ (834€) without rent. Brussels is 27.92% less expensive than New York (without rent).

Where is the best place to live in Belgium?

Best cities to live in BelgiumBrussels. A bustling and diverse place, this capital city has a trendy city centre and quieter suburban areas. ... Antwerp. ... Ghent. ... Genval. ... Liege. ... Waterloo. ... Bruges. ... Tervuren.More items...•May 26, 2021

Where do students live in Brussels?

In Brussels, student rooms are usually called a 'kot', and many websites are available to help prospective students to find a place to stay in the city. The most popular are Brukot, Infor Jeunes Bruxelles and MyKot.Dec 14, 2021

What is the best place to live in Brussels?

1. Brussels City Center. Best for: residing right in the heart of Brussels, and experiencing the city like a tourist. Brussels city center (or Brussels Ville) is in truth a sprawling district which partially spans almost the entire length of the city and its outskirts.

What is the best residential district in Brussels?

Quiet, peaceful and perfect for families, Etterbeek is probably the best residential district in Brussels. Southeast of the city center and east of Ixelles, Etterbeek is packed with families, expats and young professionals.

How many districts are there in Brussels?

If you don’t know where to live in Brussels, you will soon. Brussels is divided into 19 separate districts, which are known to locals as ‘communes’. For most of us, that word conjures up images of half-homeless bohemians living in a cute little community together. But that’s not the case in Belgium.

Where is Ixelles in Brussels?

Southeast of the city center is Ixelles. In some parts of Ixelles, prices have soared, attracting and alluring some of the city’s richer residents. But most of Ixelles is home to hipster areas, brimming with trendy events, eateries and venues, packed every night with the artiest and edgiest residents in Brussels.

Is Saint-Gilles a good place to live?

Fun, dynamic and quirky, Saint-Gilles is an excellent place to live, and, surprisingly, it’s one of the most affordable districts in Brussels. 4. Schaerbeek. Best for: affordable prices, multicultural friends, lots of expats and a central location.

Where is the European Quarter?

Also known as the European Quarter, this commune is east of the city center, north of Ixelles and northwest of Etterbeek. In short, it’s a little pocket of extravagance sitting astride and between lots of the city’s bigger districts.

Is Brussels a multicultural city?

Get this – around 1 in 3 of Brussels’ residents is thought to be non-Belgian, so it’s one of the most multicultural, expat-heavy places on the planet. For families and young professionals, Brussels is a massively popular choice for a relocation.

Where to relax in Brussels?

The Parc de Woluwe, the Mellaerts Ponds and the Zoniënwoud are wonderful places for relaxing outdoors. Housing here is a mix of apartments, townhouses and large homes, many with private gardens. The Avenue de Tervueren is one of the main arteries in and out of Brussels and dissects the commune.

What is the Etterbeek district?

Etterbeek incorporates the European district and the Jubelpark complex. This commune also includes the shopping districts of La Chasse, Tongerenstraat, Chez Antoine and Jourdanplein, with its renowned market and famous French fry shack.

Where is Watermael-Boitsfort?

Watermael-Boitsfort. Watermael-Boitsfort is in the south of Brussels and borders Ixelles. With easy access to the city, it has gradually become a highly sought-after residential area. More than half of the commune's territory is covered by the Zoniënwoud, while clusters of semi-rural housing, village houses and large villas give ...

Can you park on the street in an apartment?

Parking is always a challenge as most of these neighbourhoods are popular shopping, dining and market destinations. Some apartments provide parking, and it's sometimes possible to park on the street during off-peak hours. Many expat families live in these areas.

Is Brussels a city of neighbourhoods?

A little-known fact among new arrivals is that the Belgian capital is 'a city of neighbourhoods'. To best get a feel for the city and to choose a place to live in one of the areas and suburbs in Brussels, expats need to understand its mosaic of streets and squares. Each district of Brussels (or commune as the Belgians refer to them) ...

What is a rotary club in Brussels?

A long-established networking club is Rotary Club Brussels Cantersteen. It’s the only Dutch/English speaking Rotary Club serving Brussels’ international community and it’s also perfect for business people looking to expand their circle.

What is a mama group?

These ‘Mama’ groups, found in many cities all over the world, are especially geared towards expats who have children. They often find themselves the most precious treasure trove of resources. Members are all expat-parents, and many have already vanquished the same hurdles you may be facing now.

Is Brussels a melting pot?

As the continent’s de facto capital, it’s also a multicultural and multilingual melting pot where about one-third of the population is foreign. Thanks to this ever-growing foreign population, Brussels has a thriving expat community. ...

Is networking an essential skill for an expat?

The lines between work and leisure are blurry in the life of an expat, for whom networking is an essential skill. There are several English language, business-focused associations in Brussels catering to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and careerists.

Is Brussels a great city?

Brussels is one of Europe’s truly great cities, but what’s life like there as a foreigner? To help you out, here’s our guide to the expat community in Brussels. If there’s an archetypal European and international city, Brussels is probably it. It boasts grand baroque and gothic architecture along with some of the world’s best chocolate and beer.

Living in Brussels as an expat

Brussels houses countless multinational companies and hosts many business conferences on an annual basis, which makes it a city popular with professional expats looking to work abroad .

Expat families and children

Expats can also rest assured that their families will be taken care of. The city offers world-class healthcare facilities as well as a wide selection of high-quality local and international schools. There are also many child-friendly attractions and activities in Brussels for expat families to enjoy in their free time.

Cost of living in Brussels

As is the case with many European capitals, the cost of living in Brussels is steep. The city's fascinating culture, beautiful architecture and, most of all, its ample business opportunities mean that Brussels is in high demand.

Climate in Brussels

Brussels weather is mild, tending towards grey skies and light showers year round. Even sunny days can become overcast quickly, bringing unexpected rainfall. Expats should do as locals do and get into the habit of carrying something waterproof with them in case of rain.

Where do Expats live in Brussels?

Moving to Brussels but you don’t know where to live? Well, the answer to that question sometimes depends on the kind of expat you’re talking about. There are 19 different districts in Brussels, referred to as ‘communes. They all have different characters, and so will attract different kinds of expats.

Where do Expats Work?

Well, to be honest, most expats living and working in Brussels are employed by one of two massive organisations. Either one of the many European institutions under the umbrella of the European Union, with Brussels being the de facto capital of the E.U. Or NATO, Brussels is the location of its headquarters.

Expat Social Groups

There are quite a lot of ways to meet and greet your fellow expats. You could try one of the many web-based social groups, many international ones have a Brussels group, and they all offer chances to meet and take part in events.