Hiya,
My wife just got a job in Brussels so we%26#39;re planning to buy or rent a place. I%26#39;ve checked immoweb, where I saw that housing is pretty payable, but the picture doesn%26#39;t tell much about the neighborhood or its atmosphere.
We would like to be near/in the EU quarters. Any advice on which area best to look for is appreciated.
Ideal would be a green area with a friendly international atmosphere. Are there any upcoming areas?
I%26#39;m looking forward moving there! The art-deco housing is sooo beautiful!
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If you want a green area this implies to me, out near the forest, e.g. Auderghem or Watermael-Boitsfort, but then you would need to be near, say, Hermann-Debroux metro station for convenient transport links to Schuman (if this is what you mean by EU quarters) and the city centre. As far as I am concerned the whole of Brussels has a %26quot;friendly international atmosphere%26quot;, but some people find Belgians unfriendly, there is no accounting for taste! This might help (and the same website has a Q%26amp;A section which is more appropriate than Tripadvisor for questions about living in Belgium):
www.xpats.com/cgi-bin/newcomer/guide.cgi…
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I disagree with the reply given that Belgians are friendly - you will have to get use to their rudeness - I have just come off a site called Expatica and it would certainly put you off visiting Belgium let alone live there. Apparently complaining is a waste of time because everybody just shouts at everybody else - and yes this is what I found in public service areas - service is non-existent - no wonder travellers think London is wonderful - so do I - people can also be rude in London but bad service is not tolerated and is often dealt with severely and people do say please and thankyou - I just don;t know how they get away with being so rude it seems to be part of the culture - I would neever visit this place again. Don%26#39;t forget this is one of the three countries (Benelux) who originally formed the EU - makes me wonder if they really want to be friends with other countries.
Hope things work out.
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Thanks both,
I%26#39;ll check out the site.
LondonRoger
I do think the Dutch Belgians are nice. I am not sure yet about the French, but that%26#39;s probably because my French is near non-existent.
Is it maybe a difference in the culture? In the Benelux service is maybe only given when asked for else it could be seen as obtrusive. While in the UK showing that you care often, is showing that
you deliver good service?
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like all things it depends what you want to spend and how far you are willing to travel to get to work and alos if ou have any schooling requirements .
As you appear to be dutch speaking i would recommend round hoileart and overijse also moorsel and vossem.
These places are not in brussels but dependiong on the time of travewl accesible within 30 minutes and on a good day 20.
I live in etterbeek which is very close to the eu quarter but prices are high and you usually only get a small garden and often there is no garage. It doesnt bother me but something to consider. Ter is always a trade off.
good luck
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Hi,
We lived in Brussels for 5 years - until 2001. We lived very close to the Merode metro station (on the edge of Parc Cinquintaire). We had a great 2 bed duplex with terrace and small patio. We were able to walk to EU area in 5 / 10 minutes - great bars and restaurants there too. Down town is a quick metro ride. My husband worked out of town and was able to get to the motorway easily in the mornings - I worked the other side of town and had to negotiate Montgomery daily which can be a little hair raising. Parking in this area was a problem then......
We are in the process of moving back and are going to look for houses next week - only we have 2 children now so our needs have changed! Looking around Stokkel this time! Hope they still have the great Saturday market there!!
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Thanks both!
I%26#39;ll be in Brussel after Easter to check out places. Hope i%26#39;ll find a good cheap place to stay on Tripadvisor.
Etterbeek sounds interesting. I hope i do not have to buy a car, so a place without a garage would be fine. Any garden, even a small one will be a bonus! I am also planning to learn French. I feel it%26#39;s a must if you want to enjoy the plce to its fullest.
seethissidequick, I love markets! It%26#39;s something to keep in mind. I see you are from Shanghai, funny, my wife is there now brushing up on her Chinese.
Anyways, i%26#39;ll update you on where i stayed and what my thoughts are on these brussel area%26#39;s later. Thanks for the info!
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