{"id":83042,"date":"2020-09-30T09:28:09","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T09:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=83042"},"modified":"2023-06-14T13:41:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T13:41:33","slug":"brussels-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/brussels\/","title":{"rendered":"Brussels"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;three-top-tips&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"page-header\" style=\"margin-top: 0px;\">\n<h2 class=\"lead\"><strong>A Cosmopolitan City with a Small Town Heart &#8211; Brussels &#8211; Belgium<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Although it occupies a rather serious and sombre position as the seat of the European Union, Brussels is a lively, sophisticated city that is resplendent with international flair and a cosmopolitan outlook. As a crossroads for Europe, you will find expatriates from all over the world living peacefully side-by-side here and this translates to a fascinating living environment that is culturally rich while retaining the intimacy of a local town.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways, the spirit and resilience of the people of Brussels are mirrored in their seemingly reserved nature. Once you are able to break through the tough exterior, however, you will be pleasantly surprised by people with an enchanting fascination with the world of comics, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/brussels\/food\/\">fine food<\/a> 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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>In keeping with the city\u2019s cosmopolitan stance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/brussels\/entertainment\/\">the entertainment<\/a>, dining opportunities and nightlife on offer in this city are varied and energetic. Often regarded as one of the gourmet capitals of the world, the food on offer rivals that of any other major European city and you can enjoy a wide range of delicacies. Mussels in Brussels are, of course, a must.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>What\u2019s the draw?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>An international appeal that leaves plenty of opportunities to make friends from all over the world.<\/li>\n<li>A centrally-based location that is ideal for exploring the rest of Europe during weekends and holidays.<\/li>\n<li>A fascinating city that reveals its charms slowly and always offers something new to be discovered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Live there:<\/h3>\n<p>Expats can find Brussels a little difficult to understand at first. From the confusing scatter of different languages from around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/europe\/\">Europe<\/a> 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 &#8212; just about everything, including the extremely variable weather, is bewildering. Our relocation guide can make everything just that little bit simpler so that you can navigate the infrastructure with confidence and enjoy the leisure and entertainment opportunities on offer.<\/p>\n<p>The Expat Info Desk ex-pat guide to living in Brussels contains detailed information about popular living areas in and around Brussels. We identify popular ex-pat living venues to suit your lifestyle and budget and present detailed information about the surrounding infrastructure, schools, educational facilities and other local amenities.<\/p>\n<p>Uncover this city in Belgium &#8211; Brussels\u2019 mysterious charms with the Expat Info Desk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;city-side-bar&#8221;][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-one&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Top Tips&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<table class=\"table table-condensed sidebar-section-one-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">01<\/td>\n<td>Learn 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">02<\/td>\n<td>Learn the Belgian rules of the road as they are a little different to other places and can be complicated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">03<\/td>\n<td>Join 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">04<\/td>\n<td>Make the most of summer. Winters are wet, cold and gloomy and involve largely indoor activities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">05<\/td>\n<td>Bring as many personal documents as possible (birth, driving, examination certificates), they will help in many different bureaucratic situations.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-two&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Useful links&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; el_class=&#8221;useful-links&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;useful-links&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"http:\/\/www.ackroyd.be\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ackroyd.be\/\">http:\/\/www.ackroyd.be<\/a><br \/>\nEnglish-language magazines aimed at the expatriate community including The Bulletin, The Newcomer and The Expatriate Directory.<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"http:\/\/www.brusselslife.be\" href=\"http:\/\/www.brusselslife.be\/\">http:\/\/www.brusselslife.be<\/a><br \/>\nInformation website in both English and French.<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"http:\/\/www.resto.be\" href=\"http:\/\/www.resto.be\/\">http:\/\/www.resto.be<\/a><br \/>\nA useful search engine to find a table among 16203 restaurants listed.<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-three&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Interesting fact&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23333333&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#eeeeee&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<table class=\"table table-condensed sidebar-section-three-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div class=\"fa fa-snowflake-o\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;three-top-tips&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] A Cosmopolitan City with a Small Town Heart &#8211; Brussels &#8211; Belgium Although it occupies a rather serious and sombre position as the seat of the European Union, Brussels is a lively, sophisticated city that is resplendent with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":89332,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-brussels.php","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-83042","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Brussels Relocation Guide for Expat | Expat Info Desk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A detailed expat city guide for Brussels in Belgium. 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