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Belgium
Brussels
Thinking about moving to Brussels? Find here all the information you need to feel home in Brussels.
- Edition: 1st
- Last updated: 5th November 2009
- Author: Brighton Watamba
Why Brussels?
Given the number of European institutes, NATO, NGOs, lobby groups and countless other international organizations in Brussels, it is no wonder there are so many expats living in the capital of Belgium. Home to one of the highest concentrations of embassies and consulates in the world, Brussels is a city that expats find addictive. Most come on assignment and placements while others come to further their careers, many of them never leave. Inevitably they meet and make great friends, both local and other, and always keep Brussels, and the Belgian culture, in their hearts.
In many ways the spirit and resilience of the people of Brussels is mirrored in their seemingly reserved nature. Once you are able to break through the tough exterior, however, you will be pleasantly surprised by a people with an enchanting fascination with the world of comics, fine food and beer. More importantly, they appreciate a truly high standard of living with strong family bonds and an appreciation of the fine things in life. The fact that the single, most photographed item in Belgium is a statue/fountain of a naked little boy's public indiscretion (Mannekin Pis) goes a long way to explaining the sense of humor and love of art that typifies Brussels and Belgium in general.
The EID guide to Brussels contains practical information on all of the aspects of living in Brussels, from the move itself to the endless paperwork that typifies living in the bureaucratic capital of Europe. In addition to the particulars of planning the relocation and settling in, there is invaluable information on settling into your new life, from finding the best international schools for your children through to where to spend your weekends.
The EID guide to Brussels covers a wide range of topics that are useful to anyone emigrating to, or living in, Brussels-
1) Living legally in Brussels
The EID guide to Brussels contains detailed information about the type of visa you will require, what type of work it will allow you to engage in and how to navigate the application and renewal processes. We’ll give you the knowledge you need to cut through the bureaucracy and remain stress free.
2) Setting up home in Brussels
The EID guide to living in Brussels contains detailed information about popular living areas in and around Brussels. 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.
3) Navigating the infrastructure
Expats can find Brussels a little schizophrenic at first. From the confusing scatter of different languages from around Europe and the world, spoken at any time around the city to the often weird traffic rules and the dual language (French/Dutch) names of most neighborhoods, street-signs, squares and train stations -- just about everything, including the extremely variable weather, is bewildering.
4) Having fun in Brussels
Brussels is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, which enjoys unrivaled opportunities for leisure and entertainment. The EID guide to Brussels contains everything you need to know about popular places to eat, drink and be entertained. We point you in the right direction for meeting like-minded people and help you to ensure that you get the most from your experiences abroad.
5) Staying safe and healthy in Brussels
Moving to a country with which you are unfamiliar can be very daunting. We provide you with practical information about how you can stay safe and avoid any potential dangers. We also provide in-depth listings and contact details for all major health service providers and hospitals, thus ensuring that you have all the information you need at your fingertips.
6) Blending in
Making yourself truly at home means understanding and fitting in with the locals. We provide an in-depth view of languages, traditions and cultural customs of the people of Belgium and Brussels. Let us help you to prepare for life in Brussels and avoid any cultural traps that may offend.
7) Reality bites
Our guide to living in Brussels is written by an expatriate who has first hand experience of everything Brussels has to offer. The most effective way to make the most of everything that Brussels has to offer is to be prepared and our guide can help you to do just that by offering real information and facts. We anticipate that the EID guide to Brussels will become an indispensable resource from the beginning of your journey through all the stops along the way.
Your only expat guide to Brussels; Feel at home abroad – Fast!
About the guide author
Brighton Watambwa When initially confronted with the option of moving to Belgium, Brighton, a native of Zimbabwe, had the same reaction as many other people -- he had a hazy idea of where Belgium was, knew of Brussels, Waterloo, Antwerp, Belgian beer, chocolate, and other places and things; but not a whole lot more than that. Europe was going through a massive change at the time; introduction of the Euro, relaxing border controls, some uncertainty of exactly where Europe was going. Almost 10 years later, he finally made the plunge, albeit by way of the United States and other places, and has found Belgium to be a truly under-rated experience. Having a young family, he has been able to appreciate the massive family bonds that exist and met some truly amazing people, who have become friends for life. He has been able to experience first-hand some of the many sublime characteristics that make Belgium so unique. When missing home, Brighton reconnects with the many expats. He finds that the southern Africans, English and Australians and their habits, make living here just like being back at home.
Features
Sample guide
If you'd like to read 4 sample chapters from this guide please enter your email address in the form below. You'll then be emailed a link to view the sample guide.
five top tips
- 01Learn French or Dutch, especially if you are coming long-term. If you have children this is even more important and will assist them to integrate.
- 02Learn the Belgian rules of the road as they are a little different to other places and can be complicated.
- 03Join expat groups by all means but remember that Belgians do exist too, and many expats make the mistake of never getting to know them properly.
- 04Make the most of summer. Winters are wet, cold and gloomy and involve largely indoor activities.
- 05Bring as many personal documents as possible (birth, driving, examination certificates), they will help in many different bureaucratic situations.
Useful links
- http://www.awaymagazine.be
A magazine in English with resources for international families in Belgium. Check the Blog/Forum section. - http://www.ackroyd.be
English-language magazines aimed at the expatriate community including The Bulletin, The Newcomer and The Expatriate Directory. - http://www.brusselslife.be
Information website in both English and French. - http://www.resto.be
A useful search engine to find a table among 16203 restaurants listed.
Interesting fact
Brussels has played a very large role in the comics and graphic novels industry. As a dedication there are 30 frescos of European graphic novel and comic characters spread throughout the city.
Currently we only accept payments in Pounds Sterling (£).
