Great Real Estate Abroad Report

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Vol II    Issue 3                   January 28, 2009
 

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City Center Apartments Starting at $635 per Month

Brussels, Belgium
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Home to NATO and the EU Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium Sports Some Surprisingly Affordable Housing

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Brussels, Belgium (population 1.1 million) is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and the administrative capital city of the European Union (the smaller City of Brussels within Brussels is the capital of Belgium).  It is home to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as a number of international organizations that support the EU.    Dutch and French are spoken here, and the city is the EU's third-richest in terms of per capita income.  Despite all of this, rental apartments are surprisingly affordable, giving expats the chance to live in an exciting, sophisticated European city at a somewhat reasonable price.

 

Modern apartments with 970 sq. ft. in Schaerbeek, a nice neighborhood in the center of the city and not far from NATO, can be found for around $750 - $800 USD per month.  These are unfurnished but come with a telephone, a small kitchen, hot water, cable and TV.   Smaller, furnished apartments with roughly half the square footage are available for about $635 USD per month.   Currently, a larger apartment with 1,500 sq. ft., two bedrooms, two baths and a wine cellar is for lease for $1,550 USD per month.  All of these apartments are in the city center, near museums, world-class restaurants, stylish boutiques and imposing government offices. 

 

Additional expenses include heat ($125-$175 a month), electricity ($50 or so a month), water ($20 per month) and things such as bus rides ($1.50), dinners out ($20 - $50, depending on the restaurant), groceries ($125 per week, or less), etc.   All in all, the cost of living in Brussels compares with many U.S. cities (although taxes are higher).  And while much of Europe is in a recession, Brussels is somewhat insolated from economic turmoil thanks to the high number of government offices located here.

Expats enjoy theater, opera, gourmet restaurants and an array of international schools.  Quaint cafes, gothic churches, medieval streets, grand boulevards and many parks make this a stimulating place to live.   And the city's bustling Grote Markt, grand and elegant, outshines many other European central squares.

For those that want to venture to other European cities (and who doesn't), Paris is ninety minutes away and London and Amsterdam are just two hours away by Eurostar train.

When searching on Google or Yahoo for property in Brussels, use the keyword phrase "brussels belgium properties for lease" and "brussels belgium apartments."

Americans may travel without a visa in Belgium for up to 90 days during a 6 month period.  A passport is required.  For stays longer than 90 days, a residence visa must be obtained within one's country of residence, and when it comes to retirement or living without working in Belgium, a person must be "financially independent" and provide "proof of sufficient means of subsistence that will allow one to live in Belgium without the need to engage in any sort of gainful employment and proof that one's income and funds can be transferred to Belgium."   A medical certificate, character references from some Belgians, one's criminal record (or lack of) and other documents are required, and the process can take 3 months or longer.

http://www.expatexchange.com/rspnet.cfm?networkID=4&rid=74 clubs

visa not needed for stay less than 90 days

http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-belgium-healthcare-medical health

http://www.easyexpat.com/en/brussels/health/sickness-allowance.htm  health

 

 

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/30/general_information/Europe/Belgium.html basic info

American Citizens do not need a visa when they travel to Belgium for business or for personal travel. The stay in the Schengen area should not exceed 90 days in a 6 month period. Please note that the American visitor will need to present a valid American passport (valid three months beyond intended stay), proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

ealth Care

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.

 

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