Brussels and the surrounding areas offer expats a wide range of neighbourhoods in which to live. Because of the relative size of Brussels, in the inner-city, there are many facilities and even if certain facilities are not in a particular neighbourhood, they will never be far away, whether by driving or public transport. People are currently exploring buying property in some areas of the city as there are incentives to aid gentrification of certain neighbourhoods. Below are just a few of the more popular areas expats choose to live.
Brussels
The administrative capital of both Belgium and the Brussels area, and positioned in the centre of the city, Brussels includes the Pentagon (city centre), the European Quarter (EU institutions) and more. Culturally and economically diverse with all services to boot. Public transport abounds in the city centre with trams and metro lines, buses and plenty of taxis. Brussels Central Station is a major domestic and international train hub and Brussels South Station is just a few metro stops and one train stop away which is the main station in Belgium with connections for the high-speed train links with Paris, London, Amsterdam and Germany. Entertainment is plentiful in Brussels as well with many theatres including the famous Toone Theatre, movie houses and museums. The diversity also makes it the leading area in Belgium for ethnic markets with many small to medium size businesses in the area. The restaurants in the area are also very diverse and numerous and some very famous. Most of the leading hotel chains are located in Brussels. For the most part, accommodation in Brussels is apartments and townhouses.
International Schools: There are no international schools in Brussels city itself, though as the greater Brussels area is not very large anyway, the majority of schools mentioned below and in the education section of this guide are no more than a 30 minute drive at most. The schools in Brussels City are either French or Dutch education schools funded by the government or church institutions.
Supermarkets: All major supermarket chains are found throughout the area.
Restaurants: Some popular restaurants to consider in the area include: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Brasserie la Rotonde, Vaudeville Cafe and Theatre, Sea Grill, Samourai, BelgaCafe.
Cinemas: UGC (Multiplex), Cinema Arenberg-Galeries, Cinema Nova, Cinematek, Cinema Vendome, Argos.
Sports Facilities: Brussels Big Brackets (Cycling), Chess Royal Circle of Brussels, King Baudouin Stadium (former Heizel Stadium), Brussels power (boxing).
Ixelles/Elsene
Located in the south of the city, Ixelles is a very popular area of the city with expats because of its proximity to the city centre, the theatres, cinemas, shopping districts and its nightlife. The European Parliament and several large multi-national corporations are also located in Ixelles. Ixelles has a vibrant feel to it and has two local universities, the Universite Libre de Brusselsand (LB) the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB). It is also home to “Matonge”, an area with a high African population, originally where many Congolese were housed while studying at the universities. Now many people from other African countries like Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon, Mali and Senegal, as well as more recent immigration from India, Pakistan and South America, reside here, making it the symbol of Belgian multi-culturalism. Matonge offers an African-style market, a vibrant, colorful, loud, and crowded ambiance as well as restaurants offering many ethnic dishes. Ixelles also has plenty of green space, with parks that include Parc ten Bosh, Parc Abbe Froidure and Bois de Commeres. Cemetaire Ixelles is a famous cemetery in Ixelles that almost rivals Pere Lachaise in Paris with its grandeur. As with most areas in inner Brussels, Ixelles, is located within a short distance to most international schools, has a wide range of supermarkets and dining choices. Most accommodations in Ixelles are apartments and townhouses.
International Schools: The European School of Brussels III, the International Jewish Centre and Boston University Brussels.
Supermarkets: Delhaize, Superstore Tagawa, GB Express
Restaurants: There is a wide range of restaurants in this area. Don’t miss Quaincaillerie, Foudres, Miyuki, Callens Cafe, La Brasserie Louise, and Rouge Tomate Restaurant.
Cinemas: Cinema Styx, Cinema Vendome, Cinema Flagey, Theatre Marnie
Sports Facilities: Tennis Club de Belgique.
St-Gilles/Sint-Gillis
Another multi-cultural area, St-Gilles is a dynamic area featuring a large cross-section of life in Brussels, from the many swank residences near its border with Ukkel/Uccle (see below), to the run-down areas near Brussels Midi/South Station. Being an art and student centre makes this an often quirky neighbourhood with a lively nightlife, many restaurants and shops. This is a popular area to rent and buy for expats as there is a wide range of property prices and many consider it to be a good investment. St-Gilles is characterized by the architecture by the likes of Horta, Hanker, Pompe and Blerot, and is also the sight of Victor Horta’s house which has since been made into a museum. There is a daily market at the church square Parvis de l’eglise St-Gilles and though there is less green space than other communes in the city, there are two parks, Parc Paulis and Bois de la Cambre. Every year St-Gilles hosts a festival for Brussels’ Portuguese population. St-Gilles overs a variety of dining choices, largely relatively inexpensive. By virtue of its proximity to the city centre, it is close to the cultural hub of the city as well, including the museums, opera, and movies. Most accommodations in St. Gilles are apartments and townhouses, though there are some villas scattered throughout.
International Schools: The closest international schools are the British English Primary School of Brussels (BEPS) and the European School of Brussels III.
Supermarkets: Delhaize, Colbo Supermarket, GB Express
Restaurants: Inexpensive eateries mostly fill the neighbourhood. Try Van Tung/Hong, Deroubaix/Michel, Primo Spetacollo, Tartisan, La Table Imperiale, or Pizza Hut and Domino’s Pizza if you’re missing home.
Cinemas: Cinema Styx, Cinema Vendome, Cinema Flagey, Theatre Marnie
Sports Facilities: Itineraires AMO, Interclub La Jeunesse Sportive
Uccle/Ukkel
One of the areas with the largest expat community, this neighbourhood features many large houses and up-scale apartments, and pleasant neighbourhoods of villas dotted around old village squares. With particularly easy access to schools and shops as well as having plenty of green space, in particular at the Foret de Soines, you can expect to be paying higher than average rent and buying will similarly be more expensive. Restaurants of all tastes and prices abound as well as cultural centres and theatres. It is also conveniently close to the city centre. It is the fourth largest commune in the city and has ample facilities of all sorts to cater to the most demanding expat. Accommodations in Uccle varies widely from apartments/townhouses to houses and villas.
International Schools: European School of Brussels I, the International School of Brussels and the Brussels English Primary School (BEPS).
Supermarkets: Delhaize, GB Express
Restaurants: There is a bit of everything in this neighbourhood, for all budgets and tastes. Restaurants to note include Le Mardis du Cellier De l’Estanquet, T’Jollyn Concept, A’Mbriana, Canne en Ville, M. et M. Creation, and L’Image de Marc.
Cinemas: Cinema Flagey, Theatre de Poche de Bruxelles, Theatre du Ratinet,
Sports Facilities: Tennis Club Uccle, Royal Leopold Club, Tennis Club Longchamps.
Woluwe-St-Pierre/Sint-Pieters-Woluwe
Quite affordable and very close to the European Sector, this is another popular neighbourhood, in particular with those working at the European institutes. There are many embassies located in this part of the city characterised by immaculate planning resulting in gorgeous avenues flanked by inspiring architecture, making it a great place for walking and relaxing. One of the highlights is a huge sporting complex that has over 40 sports, and the Foret de Soignes, a forest that is a huge feature on the outskirts of Brussels. “Woluwe” is very close to the major highways and has a good number of day care facilities and playgrounds. Again, the facilities are excellent, with some quality restaurants, shopping and only a short drive to theatres and movies and not too far from any other parts of Brussels. Accommodations vary including apartments, houses and villas.
International Schools: British School of Brussels, International Montesorri School, the Montessori School of Tervuren, International German School of Brussels, British International School of Brussels and the British Junior Academy.
Supermarkets: Delhaize, GB Express
Restaurants: Restaurants here, as in all other parts of Brussels, offer diversity of cuisine and budget. Some to make sure to visit include Restaurant des Trois Coleurs, Rinagara, Tian Yuan House, Jardins de Pekin, Le Mucha, Shake Hands, Degusthouse.
Cinemas: UGC, Theatre Saint Michel
Sports Facilities: Action Sport, SportCity, Royal Oree.
Woluwe-St-Lambert/Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe
Next to Woluwe-St-Pierre, St-Lamberts-Woluwe is a prosperous residential area close to the airport and major highways featuring terraced, detached and semi-detached houses as well as apartments. There are many cultural activities such as the Creative Schuman Workshops, Malou Workshops and the Spare Time Workshops. The Woluwe River runs in the neighbourhood with park areas created around it. Woluwe-St-Lambert is on the outskirts of the city and therefore a little further from the city centre but its surplus in facilities make it a very popular and easy neighbourhood in which to live, with restaurants, good shopping and parks, and accommodations ranging from apartments to villas.
International Schools: British School of Brussels, International Montesorri School, the Montessori School of Tervuren, International German School of Brussels, British International School of Brussels and the British Junior Academy.
Supermarkets: Delhaize, GB Express
Restaurants: Don’t miss Le Coq en Pate, Brasero, Heydenberg, The Wine Program, L’Etoile du Desert, and Bergent.
Cinemas: UGC, Theatre 140,
Sports Facilities: Woluwe Physical Centre, European Club
