to Belgium as students

Member since 13 August 2011

feelingualNew member13 August 2011 14:32:15

My partner and I are thinking of going to Belgium for about 9 month. We are Russian citizens so we need a visa, and since we are both freelancers we thought the easiest solution would be enrolling for a full-time language course (we'd be happy to advance our French) and getting a student visa.

however, we have zero experience with Belgium. first of all, we would like to get some idea how realistic it is to find a place to live (an apartment, or, ideally, the first floor in a house with a small backyard) with two dogs, and in which towns/cities the rent is lower (is Brussels the most expensive of all?) secondly, we are overwhelmed with the number of french courses advertised: has anyone had a successful experience with any school? any recommendations? finally, what is the cost of living: food - we cook at home rather than eat out; transportation - is it easy to get by without a car?; mobile phone/internet?

if you can recommend any particular sites/blogs/articles to help us, please do.

thanks everyone!

hannahhadman Serial expat

Member since 30 December 2010

hannahhadmanSerial expat13 August 2011 17:52:36

951

Well obv you would have to stick to towns on the Walloon side or Brussles if your learning french. However its a side I know little about but appently rent is cheaper there. Brussles is indeed expensive due to it being multinational and the capital of the EU

hannahhadman Serial expat

Member since 30 December 2010

hannahhadmanSerial expat13 August 2011 17:53:16

951

Also staying in cities it is very easy to get to without a car

Melby Serial expat

Member since 29 March 2010

MelbySerial expat13 August 2011 18:19:08

362

I am also not an expert on Wallonia, but that's where you'd need to be if you're only interested in French. I'd avoid Brussels, it is the most expensive place, aside of simply not showing a very pleasant side of the country.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place. immoweb.be is the biggest site for home-searching. The dogs will make it a bit more difficult, as many apartment owners don't want that hassle and have no-pet clauses in the leases. They're out there, though.

The cost of living, outside Brussels at least, is not very high at all. My husband and I live in the heart of Antwerpen, and live on maybe 聙1000-1200/month. We also don't eat out. If you're in a city, not a small town, the public transit is wonderful, and very cheap. We use Base for mobile phone, never had any trouble with them at all. I'd recommend not using Proximus, or Mobistar, all you hear is horror stories about them.

feelingual New member

Member since 13 August 2011

feelingualNew member13 August 2011 18:23:22

Melby wrote:
I am also not an expert on Wallonia, but that's where you'd need to be if you're only interested in French. .

thanks a lot for all the tips - that's really helpful!

hannahhadman Serial expat

Member since 30 December 2010

hannahhadmanSerial expat13 August 2011 18:38:57

951

I personally havent had a issue with Mobistar but only just a rechargeable card its pretty cheap for what i use it for as I found monthly contracts here expensive.

Yes I am also in a small town and public transport is more difficult to get to however not impossable. Also the renting bikes is quite a good sceme to get around without having to buy one if you are onl staying temp.