I’ve been spending some time these last few years living in Antwerp in Belgium.
Antwerp’s a city of half a million people located in the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium known as Flanders.
Living in Antwerp
Antwerp has a …
Brussels is Europe’s – and Belgium’s capital city
Practical info and tips about living in Brussels
Featured articles about Brussels and Belgium
There’s plenty of interest in Belgium beyond Brussels!
Grab the latest best deals and special offers for visitors to Brussels
If you’re coming to Brussels to live and work, then you’re going to need to find somewhere to live.
Brussels is the most expensive city in Belgian and the large expat population living in the city there’s a strong demand for good quality housing in good areas. As a result, these districts tend to be more expensive.
However, Brussels is still comparatively cheaper than other capitals such as London and Paris.
Fortunately there’s a wide variety of housing available across the city. You can find modern and not-so-modern apartment blocks with spacious balconies, streets of narrow 19th century terraced houses and large detached villas. All manner of architectural styles and indeed oddities are represented here!
Around a third of Belgians rent their homes and most newcomers to Brussels and even many of those living here longer term will most likely rent their housing. This gives you a number of advantages over buying.
Buying real estate in Belgium involves very high additional charges and taxes – amongst which a 10 – 12.5 percent stamp duty payable when buying property. Belgian real estate prices also tend to rise much more slowly than in the UK, Netherlands or elsewhere. Tax can also be payable on any capital gain made on selling.
These factors mean that buying is unlikely to be financially viable unless you are certain you will remain living in the property or at least are willing and able to hold onto it for the long-term.
Renting gives you a high degree of flexibility, with moving being simpler than for owner-occupiers, and the costs much lower. There’s also no shortage of rented housing and there is a wide variety available across all price levels.
Rents in general in Belgium are relatively low compared to neighbouring countries. Brussels not surprisingly has the highest rents, but even these are competitive compared to London.
Rents in Brussels can be very high in the south and south-eastern middle class districts which tend to be favoured by expats and EU personnel. In other Belgian cities you will find rent levels to be much lower, so if you want to get more or better quality accommodation at a lower price it might be an idea to consider commuting from outside Brussels.
In contrast to the Netherlands, where a high proportion of rented accommodation is controlled by housing associations with restrictive letting criteria and long waiting lists, most rented property in Belgium is privately let and thus openly available on the market. This makes it easier to find something suitable, and rent levels also tend to be lower in Belgium than in Holland.
Tenants in Belgium also enjoy a higher degree of legal protection than in the UK and the Belgian rental system is on the whole well regulated.
The easiest way to find a suitable house or apartment in Brussels is to use an online real estate listing service. The leader in this field in Belgium is without doubt Immoweb at www.immoweb.be The site is in Dutch, French and English versions and is free of charge.
You can browse and search the selections on Immoweb by region or city, as well as specifying price/number of bedroom combinations. I was able to find an excellent modern apartment through Immoweb with little difficulty.
Some of the properties are listed by estate agents, but there is no reason for this be a hindrance. In contrast to some countries such as Germany, the fees of Belgian real estate agents are paid by the landlord and not by the prospective tenant.
Unlike in Germany, where landlords tend to keep quiet about the fact that their property is vacant and such signs are a rarity, “To let” signs (Te huur/A louer) are a common feature of Brussels streets.
As a result another good way to find an apartment, though involving more work, is to just wander around the streets in the district you want to live in and keep a look out for “To let” boards and then note down the details. The rent asked for is often also stated on the board.
Brussels has a relatively high level of vacant rental properties and so it shouldn’t take you long to find suitable that you like and at a price that fits your budget.
Immoweb are at www.immoweb.be
Image courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/corporatienl/4119287985/
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Interested in playing rugby in Antwerp?
If so then Antwerp Rugby Club are looking for new players at all levels.
If you want to work in Belgium or the capital Brussels, then there are fairly good chances for finding employment
The Belgian economy has bounced back since the credit crunch crisis of 2008/2009 and the employment market right now is relatively strong.
Brussels in particular has a large international job market, so finding a job in Brussels is generally not that difficult – provided you have skills that are in demand.
Looking For a Job in Brussels
Many international companies are represented in Belgium.
Banks in Belgium offer pretty well the same services as in other countries.
However, some aspects of banking in Belgium may seem different to what you find in your native country…
Learning French in Brussels
Probably the best place to learn French in Brussels is the Alliance Francaise.
If you’re moving to Belgium one thing you you”re going to have to do when you get here is to register with the authorities.
Learning Dutch in Brussels
The Huis van het Nederlands (literally, House of Dutch) is the official organisation run by the Flemish Community for providing Dutch language courses in Belgium.
Once you’ve found a suitable house or apartment to rent, the next thing is to sign a lease. This article looks at the most important issues.
We all now have more and more electronic gadgets.
Smart phones, laptops, tablets, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, digital cameras – you name it.
Don’t Risk Losing Your Electronic Gadgets – Make Sure You Have Gadget Insurance
Do you sometimes need a car, but you don’t want the expense of owning and running one – and you don’t want the hassle of hiring from expensive car rental companies?
If so, there’s now a really neat way to do it…
Brussels has a pretty good network of public transport.
The Brussels public transit system includes metro and tram lines well as an extensive bus network which also includes night buses.
Getting Around by Public Transport in Brussels
Are you struggling to find a suitable Christmas gift for someone?
Do you know someone who wants to learn French – or for that matter, any foreign language?
Looking for a Christmas Present for Someone Special?
Here’s a Great End of Year Offer from Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines are Offering a MASSIVE 50% DISCOUNT on their b.light Economy Tickets from Brussels to all European Destinations.
Discount European Flights With Brussels Airlines – 50% Off!
Belgium is a member of the Euro zone.
This means that Belgium uses the same currency as other countries in the EU, with the exception of Denmark, Sweden, the UK and the newer EU countries of Eastern Europe (excepting Slovenia).
A Quick Guide to Money in Belgium
Think for a moment just how many electronic gadgets you own.
Smartphones, laptops, netbooks, tablets, iPods and iPads, MP3 players, video cameras – you name it.
They’re just an essential part of your everyday lives that you can hardly imagine living without them.
Looking For Gadget Insurance?
Looking for Dependable Low Cost Travel Insurance That’s Easy to Arrange and Manage? World Nomads Offers Best Value Travel Insurance With Worldwide Cover.
Eurostar is the name of the high-speed train service that runs via the Channel Tunnel from London to Brussels and Paris.
The first thing to bear in mind is that Eurostar is not the same as Eurotunnel.
Eurotunnel is a separate company who run the car-shuttle trains – as well as owning and operating the tunnel itself.
Travelling by Eurostar from London to Brussels.
Eurostar is the high-speed train service that runs via the Channel Tunnel from London to Brussels and Paris.
Eurostar is the ideal way to get from Brussels to London.
Eurostar trains only carry passengers, not vehicles.
If you want to take your car through the Channel Tunnel, then you need to book with Eurotunnel, which is a separate company.
Eurostar has three main tariffs. The general rule is that the earlier you book your ticket with Eurostar, the cheaper your fare will be.
So, here’s a guide on how to get the best train fare on Eurostar.
How to Get the Best Train Fare to Brussels with Eurostar
Brussels Airlines is a budget airline that grew up out of the old SABENA national Belgian airline.
Flights to Brussels with Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is part of the world wide Star Alliance airline code-sharing scheme.
Why Fly With Brussels Airlines?
Many people who come to Belgium for the first time are under the impression that all Belgians speak French.
Or that people in Belgium speak “Belgian”.
Both of these impressions are false.
Language in Belgium is – like Belgium itself – a complex matter.
So what language do they speak in Belgium?
What Language Do Belgians Speak?
Brussels. Capital of Belgium.
Brussels. Capital of the European Union.
A political and economic community of over 400 million people. Surely a great world metropolis?
Many people who visit Brussels for the first time, particularly those coming from North America or Asia, find themselves perplexed by the city.
With good reason. Quite a few things are odd about Brussels.
Brussels, Capital of Belgium and the EU
Rail Europe are offering extra low-price train fares on journeys from Paris and Brussels to a number of destinations in Germany and the Netherlands.
Fares start from just £17.50 one way.
Provided you book before 31 August 2012, you can travel anytime between 8 October and 13 November 2012.
Big Savings on Special Low Price Train Fares to Germany and the Netherlands
If you’re visiting Belgium, then here’s a quick guide and some basic practical information for your trip.
Visiting Belgium? Here’s A Quick Guide To Belgium For Visitors
If it's Tuesday this must be Belgium
If it's Tuesday this must be Belgium
Euro Exchange Rate