And at the same time, this makes it easier for new friends to become like family. Share this article Traffic and parking in Brussels can be a real hassle. Thank you for this post. The Grand Place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the top things to do in Brussels in 1 day.. 4 attendees. Blog Search by State/Prov Compare Cities Best Places in America Best Places in Canada. As a crossroads for Europe, you will find expatriates from all over the world living peacefully side-by-side here and this translates to a fascinating living environment that is culturally rich while retaining the intimacy of a local town. Lucrecia is now a freelance consultant in Relocation Services for TailorGo and helps future expats in and around Brussels to navigate the complexities of relocating. Search Illinois BrusselsLivability. Family of four estimated monthly costs: €3,507; Single person estimated monthly costs: €1,770; Cost of living in Brussels is cheaper than in 53% of cities in Western Europe (27 out of 51) Cost of living in Brussels is more expensive than in 66% of cities in the World (68 out of 199) Feeling like an insider instead of an outsider is the best thing that can happen to an expat living abroad. Bring as many personal documents as possible (birth, driving, examination certificates), they will help in many different bureaucratic situations. And here I am, 18 years after, living in Brussels, Belgium, as an expat. Pros : * Cheapest rent for a Capital City in Western Europe along with Berlin. Meet fellow Irish at our events in Brussels . Does Brussels have Carrefour, Intermarche and Lidl? Blog; Overview; Subscribe. Try to find out the real costs of moving and settling in before you move to Brussels to avoid surprises. The gray weather doesn’t bother me though as I live in a country where it rains all year round =). A thorough blog that tells the story of an adventurous family’s life in the capital of Europe. My favorite stands are the ones in the “Barriere” area, and at Place Flagey. 15 Tips for a Perfect LinkedIn Profile (and Get a Job) 7 Fast-Growing Occupations to Look Out For. Nobody is a Foreigner. We identify popular expat living venues to suit your lifestyle and budget and present detailed information about the surrounding infrastructure, schools, educational facilities and other local amenities. “I am born and raised in Buenos Aires and used to love my life there. Living in: Brussels Drawing a diverse international population, the often-called Capital of Europe is a multinational gem where bureaucracy and culture live side by side. they look so colourful and vibrant that we can imagine ourselves there for a moment. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Winters are wet, cold and gloomy and involve largely indoor activities. Almost impossible to find month-to-month rent, so this is for 1-year lease. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about what to see and do in the city, town or country the expat lives in. Food; Lifestyle; Travel; Search for: Search. Well, to be honest, most expats living and working in Brussels are employed by one of two massive organisations. Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. Shame about all that rain, but being a Brit I can sympathise I have been researching into travelling and staying in Brussels for a bit – I love that it’s so easy to go to other destinations from here and I like the idea of being in a small city with a big spirit! I must admit, I am grateful to have been immersed in this adventure, although it was a way of living I never thought I would choose.”. This is also an opportunity to get to know non-touristy areas close to the city center, which you might want to live in if you choose expat life in Brussels. Find out all there is to know about the city. Learn French or Dutch, especially if you are coming long-term. After 8 years, I still enjoy the different designs and patterns of this superb event. Belgians really appreciate your efforts to communicate in French.”. This blog is the tale of an expat going into parenthood in Brussels. Being at the crossroads of cultures (the Germanic in the North and the Romance in the South) and playing an important role in Europe, Brussels fits the definition of melting pot, but still retains its own unique character. The weather is mental. Mar 09:25 AM October 24, 2012. (3) expat2016: 2/4/2018 2:15 PM Your descriptions help me feel that I know what to expect in moving there. City Guides  |  Travel the World  |  Living Abroad  |  Travel Guides  |  Adventure Travel  |  Digital Nomad Life  | Valencia, Spain  |  California, USA  |  The Netherlands, I consent to the storage of my data according to the Privacy Policy, Contact: info@spendlifetraveling.com      |      Summary of cost of living in Brussels. On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety. I have thought about living in Brussels many times – and you have helped cement this desire of mine! Lifestyle Blog. Some other useful sites: Immovlan.be, Belgium.be, theBulletin.be and Visit.Brussels.”. Lastly, Bois de la Cambre and Tenbosch are my favorite parks where I often go to with my sons.”. This makes Brussels one of the best places for anyone who likes cultural diversity. Our relocation guide can make everything just that little bit simpler so that you can navigate the infrastructure with confidence and enjoy the leisure and entertainment opportunities on offer. It is an example of a city with impressively diverse architecture. And I also love being so close to other countries, making international travel and short getaways so easy. Some links on this website are affiliate links. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, the owner of Expatinfodesk.com does not accept any responsibility for any loss suffered by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of relying upon its contents. And some others do not speak English at all. “If your new job allows you to use a relocation service when you are moving here, then definitely take advantage of this and accept any advice they may give you. It is located in the heart of Brussels and is considered as one of the most important squares in the country. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Thank you for the great insight into Brussels. And that is how I feel living in Brussels. Brussels is a well located city in the heart of Europe. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Build your Career; Financial Advices; Scholarships; Where to Study; Student Life; Best Practices for New Remote Workers. I have many questions as you can and to be honest I don t know that much about Belgium. I have been living in Brussels for 8 years now, after moving around the USA for 10 years, living in Boston, Tampa, New York City, and Milwaukee.”. This is especially true when it comes to areas such as housing and electricity. She moved to Boston, USA in 2001 where she got her Certificate in Management at Harvard Extension School. The Royal Palace,** Grand Place** and the Brussels Stock Exchangeare all here. I am looking into immigrating to Europe from South Africa as things here have taken a turn for the worst. She finally moved to Brussels, Belgium in 2010. So plan a walking tour. I feel part of this city and community. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Answer 1 of 8: My family might relocate to Brussels for three years. Learn the Belgian rules of the road as they are a little different to other places and can be complicated. We’ve talked about housing in Brussels in a good amount of depth, but the takeaway is this: prices aren’t usually cheap unless you’re in student housing and sharing a bathroom/kitchen space with 8-12 other people. From Ireland, living in Brussels. Although it occupies a rather serious and sombre position as the seat of the European Union, Brussels is a lively, sophisticated city that is resplendent with international flair and a cosmopolitan outlook. Lucrecia was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she studied Human Resources Management. “There are several useful websites to check before moving to Brussels. Mussels in Brussels are, of course, a must. Expats working for the European Commission or parliament often go to bars at Place Luxembourg. She finally moved to Brussels, Belgium in 2010. Still, it is charming and has its personality. Living in Brussels as an Expat. A rich community with more than 100 languages spoken and which is home to more than 180 nationalities.”. In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. French and Flemish are the official languages in Brussels, and you will have to deal with a home lease contract in French or Flemish, your registration at the assigned Town Hall, work permits, driver license transfers, school or university registrations for the kids, etc. Find out all there is to know about the city. In the 19th century however, when Brussels became the capital city of a new country, many buildings in the old town were destroyed to make way for brand new ministries, palaces, schools, army barracks and office blocks constructed between 1880 and 1980. Finding accommodation here can be quite a challenge, but thankfully, we've go… It is extremely hard to cope with this. Visit the About Me page for more info. For answers to specific questions, visit our Belgium Forum to talk with expats in Brussels. Cost of living in Brussels is cheaper than in 53% of cities in Western Europe (28 out of 53) Cost of living in Brussels is more expensive than in 66% of cities in the World (73 out of 209) What salary will you need in Brussels ? Often regarded as one of the gourmet capitals of the world, the food on offer rivals that of any other major European city and you can enjoy a wide range of delicacies. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. , and beers, there are almost 90 museums, beautiful parks, and at Place Flagey information, and! Been expats here for a while, forget just how strange it can to... Is especially true when it comes to areas such as home inspections home! Time: walk ( and get a job ) 7 Fast-Growing Occupations to Look out for local... Bars are located around Place Chatelain in the Ixelles commune the Royal Palace, * * the! Or dinner Brussels are, of course, but I did, and worldwide via Skype purchases made through links... 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