Best Cities in Belgium
Beyond living in Brussels there are plenty of main Belgian cities and communes that make great homes for expatriates moving to Belgium. With good Belgian public transport links and road networks, it's possible to live farther afield than Brussels and communte to work. With Belgium being renowned as having some of the worst traffic jams in Europe, being connected to a public transport system may also be a consideration when choosing a neighbourhood or city to live in Belgium. Here are some of the best Belgian cities and communes to live in.
Antwerp
Antwerp offers a truly multicultural environment with an ingrained mix of nationalities. There is a well-sized population of British and American families and a good choice of English-speaking clubs and societies, plus several international schools. With the added fact that the majority of Flemish speakers speak English, Antwerp becomes an attractive place to relocate. Besides Antwerp's English-speaking communities, there are several other well-established international communities that contribute to Antwerp's dynamic multicultural environment.
Antwerp’s focus on fashion and cultural tourism has earned it the title of ‘trendiest city’ in travel articles. There are also numerous business establishments owing to the port and industrial development, plus a young population drawn to the university facilities and rising job opportunities.
Most families tend to live in the north of the city with its residential flavour and gardened houses. Single expats tend to live in the midst of it all in beautiful, albeit expensive, apartments. Up and coming areas include the redeveloped museum area (‘t Zuid) and parts of Berchem with grand Art Nouveau houses and a slightly bohemian feel. Another rising neighbourhood is 't Eilandje (little island), surrounded by the docklands in the north and close to Antwerp’s giant contemporary museum, MAS. The urban set favour apartments in the area between the river and Nationalestraat, known as St Andries, which has the feel of a village within the city.
Bruges
Popularly known as 'Northern Venice', Bruges is one of Belgium's most attractive cities with its cobbled lanes, medieval canals and imposing buildings. Living in this little UNESCO World Heritage city will take you to Belgium's historic past while still enjoying the comfort of a lively and modern atmosphere. Bruges is often teeming with tourists but despite the crowds it has maintained a friendly, small town feel — with lower property prices to boot — appropriate for single expats or familes.
Those seeking more action will find it in the Market Square and Burg neighbourhoods. Market Square is in the heart of the city while Burg is located in the east. Both neighbourhoods boast Bruges' main attractions, such as the belfy tower, town hall and various museums. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, chocolate shops and a steady stream of horse-drawn carriages.
If you have children or prefer to stay away from the centre bustle, the districts in the outer ring beyond the canals are a good option. Sint-Jozef, Sint-Pieters, Sint-Andries and Sint-Michiels are four of the most popular residential neighbourhoods outside Bruges' downtown. You will find peaceful suburban retreats with lots of green spaces and even historic castles just a short ride away.
Gent
Often called Belgium’s most beautiful city, Gent is growing in popularity with its dynamic mix of cosmopolitan and provincial town feel. Gent is a prominent student town but there is a good mix of locals, students and expats who call it home. The blossoming University of Ghent is influencing the city to become a strong research and development centre, retaining more young professionals. With plenty of canals, there's also opportunities with river-view apartments.
The most popular locations for expats in the city centre are Muinparkwijk, with its affordable houses and gardens, and Coupure, full of old houses and a delightful river running through it. Patershol and Prinsenhof are lively central areas of winding cobbled streets, restaurants and museums but for a quieter central neighbourhood, south-east Visserij offers leafy paths along a waterfront and rows of terraced housing that adjoin grand manor houses and industrial lofts. Many families also make the decision to live outside the city limits in the surrounding villages, where they can enjoy a rural lifestyle with space for the children and easy access to the city.
Genval
This area outside the Brussels region is a French-speaking enclave in the Flemish belt. The most expensive part to live is down by the lake with its Geneva-style waterspout, water sports facilities and five-star hotel. Genval is just a 20-minute train journey away from Brussels centre, so it is an ideal commuting location.
Leuven
A little over half an hour drive east of Brussels is the vibrant culturally diverse student city of Leuven. While its architecture is as beautiful as any Belgian city, the real draw here is its vibe. With a population of just under 100, 000 and students attending world-renowned university KU Leuven numbered at almost 58, 000, it's a hub of constant activity with fairs, market days, sports competitions, free concerts and music festivals happening year-round. During the day, residents can be seen lounging at the city's various restaurants, cafes and parks while nights are usually spent in the Oude Markt with friends and some beers.
Property and rent prices are generally cheaper in Leuven than its big-city counterparts, to cater to the international student crowd. Lower prices, however, come with steep competition so it's vital to do your research early before moving to Leuven. The city of Leuven is made up of five communes: Leuven, Heverlee, Kessel-Lo, Wilsele and Wijgmaal, all of which have much to offer.
Liège
The centre of Liège has a good stock of apartment buildings, and expats tend to gather around a cluster of streets including boulevards Frère Oban and Piercot, Le Mont St-Martin, Botanique, and Les Terrasses. Outremeuse, the island area in the middle of the Meuse river, is becoming a desirable area for its cultural character. The city centre is renowned for its busy folk festivals and varied nightlife.
Suburban living includes the university area of Le Sart Tilman and also Cointe and Embourg. Expat families can easily commute from surrounding areas if they want more space or school options, although accommodation can be harder to get.
Tervuren
In this officially Dutch-speaking area, you’ll hear French and English on the streets among a number of languages. A large population of expats have been attracted to this lush country living at the edge of Brussels, with its great park surrounding the Africa Museum and The British School at its heart.
