12 Best Places To Live In Belgium

Belgium (officially the Kingdom of Belgium) is located in Western Europe and is most well known for being the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.

The high living standards, beautiful architecture and low crime rates make Belgium a popular destination for expats from all over the globe.

Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in Belgium.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Belgium

City	Reason
Brussels	Best for work
Ghent	Best for affordability
Brussels, Ixelles	Best for families
Antwerp	Best for immigrants
Bruges	Best for retirement
Ghent, Dok Noord	Best for young adults
Leuven	Best for students
Antwerp	Best for food and nightlife
Brussels	Best for singles
Ghent	Best for the LGBT+ community
Bruges	Best for the weather
Bredene	Best for beaches

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Work

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is the most popular Belgium city for expats looking for work. Brussels is the home to many European institutions, acting as the administrative hub for Europe.

There are several thriving industries in Brussels including electronics, chemicals, printing, publishing, clothing, telecommunications and the food industry.

Though Brussels has a very active job market, non-EU nationals may struggle to find a position due to the bureaucratic requirements the city must meet before hiring outside of Europe.

Despite this, there are plenty of online resources available to help expats secure a working position in Brussels. Keep in mind that networking is a popular method for finding a role in the city, so expanding your circle of colleagues and acquaintances is recommended.

Antwerp is another good city for professionals, particularly those in the creative or retail field. Antwerp has a very creative atmosphere with arts, fashion and culture taking precedence in the city.

Cheapest Places to Live In Belgium

Ghent is a port city located in northwest Belgium, between the Leie and Scheldt rivers. As a university town, the cost of living and accommodation in the city is more affordable than in some of the larger cities.

Ghent is a very charming city with a relaxed atmosphere. The city is very dedicated to the environment and ecotourism is a big part of city life.

Prices in Belgium, as a whole, aren’t massively expensive in comparison to the rest of Europe. Food prices are eight per cent above the European average while alcohol and tobacco are roughly three per cent cheaper.

Namur is a city located in Wallonia, a French-speaking region of southern Belgium and is another potential choice for those hoping to keep to a smaller budget. The housing market in Wallonia is cheaper than in Brussels, so potential homeowners should keep this region of Belgium in mind.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Families

Belgium is considered a good European country to raise a family in, though it may be more expensive than some other options. Despite this, the education system is highly-rated, plus there are low crime rates throughout Belgium and the country is very focused on reducing its environmental impact so there is minimal pollution.

Brussels is the best city in Belgium for raising a family and the city has a good infrastructure in place for welcoming expats, as well as a large existing expat community.

Ixelles is a neighbourhood that is particularly popular with expats due to its charming character and style. Etterbeek is another good option that has a large international community and is located near international schools.

Bruges is another city that is an attractive option for families as the city. It’s located in northwest Belgium and is known for its beautiful cobblestone streets and peaceful canals.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Immigrants

There are plenty of great cities in Belgium for immigrants, and one of the best is Antwerp. Located on the River Scheldt, Antwerp is a port city that is home to the Diamond District where thousands of diamond traders, cutters and polishers are housed.

Antwerp is one of the trendiest cities to visit in Belgium and the focus on arts, culture and high-end fashion is obvious as soon as you step into the city. It is the ideal home for immigrants who want to soak in all the history of Belgium and potentially work in a creative field.

Antwerp is also very well-connected when it comes to public transport. It’s very easy to get to different parts of the country from Antwerp, and, not only that, but the city also has direct access to France, the Netherlands and the UK.

Brussels is another great choice for immigrants as there is a huge international community already located in the capital and the modern development of the city makes it the ideal location for anyone hoping for a modern city living experience.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Retirement

Belgium ranks relatively high on the Global Retirement Index and scores highly for quality of life and healthcare – two factors that are important to keep in mind when looking for the ideal place to retire.

Keep in mind that Belgium is divided into French-speaking and Dutch-speaking regions with a small German-speaking region also.

Bruges is a great city for retirees. It’s commonly known as the Venice of the North and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe which is perfect for those who want to spend time sightseeing or exploring the city.

The winding cobble streets and twisting canals serve to create a lovely medieval atmosphere and the entire historical centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hasselt is another good option for retirees. The city is located in the province of Limburg in the Flemish Region of Belgium and has a charming small-town feel with welcoming residents and plenty of opportunities for shopping, eating and exploring.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Young Adults

Ghent is less than an hour’s drive from Brussels and is a popular university city. With its lively atmosphere and cosmopolitan amenities, Ghent is a great location for young adults.

Ghent is also more affordable than Brussels in terms of both cost of rent and the cost of living, making it a really good option for any young adult who may be working with a lower budget or who is hoping to save as much as they can.

There are also plenty of activities in Ghent to keep you occupied. Not only are there quaint cafes, shopping districts and restaurants but the natural beauty of the city is perfect to admire up close and afar.

Dok Noord is a shopping centre that also has some great flats for expats hoping to be close to the hustle and bustle of city life.

Another good option for young adults is the city of Bruges. Bruges also has a lively atmosphere and incredible natural beauty, plus there is a large community of digital nomads and expats living in the city.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Students

Belgium has always invested a lot into their education systems and, as a result, the teaching and education facilities provided in Belgium are high quality. It’s a great country for students to learn and study in, as well as being surrounded by calming canals and beautiful architecture.

There are several good choices for cities for education in Belgium, but the largest student city is Leuven, capital of the province of Flemish Brabant. It is home to KU Leuven, Belgium’s largest university which provides local jobs in the fields of biotech, robotics, additive manufacturing and IT.

English is widely spoken in the city and there are plenty of attractions to enjoy on the off-days from studying such as the Grand Beguinage architectural complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Stella Artois brewery.

You can easily travel the city with a bicycle or through the bus or train which are efficient and well-maintained.

Liège is another good option for international students. The city is located in the east of Belgium and the University of Liège is a major university for the French community – the language spoken here is French.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Food and Nightlife

Belgian cuisine has a range of different influences as the country has long been established as a melting pot of different communities and traditions.

In recent years, Antwerp has established itself as the culinary capital of Belgium. There are some very highly-rated restaurants in Antwerp, with one being awarded another Michelin star in the last few years.

Some of the iconic dishes you can try in Antwerp are their frites and friteries (thin, fried chips/French fries), croquettes (deep-fried mashed potato dumplings) and, of course, any of their chocolate or beer.

Antwerp also has some incredible nightlife options. The city is hugely creative and innovative in atmosphere and style, so you can expect each party house to have a distinct vibe catering to all different kinds of audiences.

There are a range of bars, clubs and music venues in the city. One of the most famous is deFilharmonie which is a hall that hosts different kinds of musicians and artists.

Grote Markt is a fantastic place to begin your evening with a whole range of places in the square to eat or drink before your night of partying.

Brussels is another city that is ideal for nightlife lovers. The city mixes its pride in culture and heritage with thumping techno music and a bar or pub for different kinds of nightlife enjoyers.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for Singles

Brussels is likely to be the best city in the country for singles, as the capital attracts a variety of people throughout the year and has a range of different communities and cultures. Do keep in mind, however, that Brussels is one of the most expensive cities in Belgium and you will need a robust budget to move here.

Brussels has a vibrant nightlife scene which is great for those who want to spend their evenings drinking in a pub or bar, dancing in a nightclub or simply enjoying live music in one of the city’s venues.

Those who have a smaller budget may prefer to live in one of the student cities where accommodation costs are lower. Leuven is the largest student city, so you can be sure there’s a range of attractions to take advantage of and potentially find new connections.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for the LGBT+ Community

Belgium is full of diversity and the welcoming atmosphere of the country extends to the LGBT+ community – Belgium was one of the first countries to adopt marriage equality.

Several cities play host to various events catered towards the LGBT+ community and Ghent is one of these cities. While the gay scene in Ghent is relatively compact, it is very visible with bars, clubs and saunas available.

There are several events throughout the year for members of the LGBT+ community, including the Pink Walk which takes visitors through the history of the LGBT+ population in Ghent at various historic sites.

Brussels is another city perfect for members of the LGBT+ community. It’s got a wide range of communities and residents that are happy to welcome people from all walks of life.

Best Places To Live In Belgium for the Weather

Belgium has a temperature maritime climate which means the weather is mostly moderate with some winds and quite frequent rain. The best months for weather in Belgium are May, June, July, August and September with January and February being the coldest months.

Bruges, also known as Brugge in Flemish, is known as the Jewel City of Flanders. This small city benefits from great weather, particularly during the months between May and September. Swimming is a popular activity in Bruges and most people tend to take a dip between August and September.

Antwerp is another city that has good weather – as a port city, it also benefits from nice cooling breezes from the canal during the more humid months.

Best Places To Live In Belgium Near Beaches

The majority of the beach towns in Belgium are small and cosy, but there are some bigger cities with lovely beaches. One of the major ones is called Bredene which is located in west Flanders.

Bredene has a very laid-back and relaxed atmosphere and it’s very easy to travel the city by foot or bicycle. Bredene Beach is very well-known and is relatively untouched by the tourists which do flock to the city during the summer.

Bredene is also big on a variety of watersports and those who enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing or jetskiing will find the Bredene Beach the perfect place to stay.

Another big city is Blankenberghe which also has a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Sandy dunes surround the beach which are perfect for those who enjoy taking a stroll along the coastline.