Areas and Suburbs in Brussels

A little known fact about Brussels, at least for the recent arrival, is that it is a city of neighbourhoods. To best get a feel for the city and to choose a place to live, it’s essential for expats to understand this mosaic, while looking at a map and getting a feel for Brussels’ main traffic arteries.

 

As Paris has its “arrondisments”, Brussels has its “communes”, 19 different neighbourhoods with their own names and 4-digit postal codes, and bilingual signs (French/Flemish).

 

Communes are represented by government officials, much like a mayor or city hall, and is the first authority to which all citizens, residents and expats of Brussels turn when it comes to civil issues and local policies. This includes registering your arrival and establishing residency, obtaining a driver’s license, and work permit related questions.

 

Certain of these communes are more desirable than others, but much depends on where you will work, study, and/or if you have a family. There is really something for everyone in each of Brussels 19 distinct communities, but the following are perhaps the best and most popular choices for expats:

 

 

The "Pentagon" is what lies between the boulevards of the inner ring, called the little ring by locals. This is historical Brussels with its famous sites like the Grand’Place; the Royal Palace and its museums; charming squares like the Sablon; and bar and nightlife venues that surround the bourse; and Place Sainte Catherine, which brims with other cultural attractions. It is generally the place where you’d take visitors to see Brussels, but thanks to major renovation works destined to attract new inhabitants, the downtown area is increasingly regaining its charm for expat residents.

 

Traffic is definitely a problem getting into and out of this area during peak times, lunch hour, and weekend nights. Parking is also a concern if you have a car as garages and parking spaces are rare. It’s also apartment living. If you’re an urbanite working downtown or studying for a while in Brussels, this is the area you’d like to be.

 

 

Etterbeek incorporates the European district and the Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark complex- the Arc de Triomphe looking monument and park built in 1880 and commemorating the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. The shopping districts of La Chasse/Jacht, Rue des Tongres/ Tongerenstraat and Place Jourdan/Jourdanplein, with its renowned market and famous French fry shack, Chez Antoine, are great advantages of this commune. Etterbeek is also more affordable than other communes and still offers the advantages of city life, public transport, and if you are working in the European quarter and want to walk or take a short metro ride, Etterbeek is ideal. However commuting to the international schools requires a car.

 

 

With a multitude of theatres and cinemas, restaurants and shops, Ixelles is probably the most diverse commune in the city and a place for lively life in uptown Brussels. This commune is made up of a mix of different neighbourhoods offering a plethora of positive choices for residents: the African quarter Matonge, the student rich area around the ULB, the charming upscale neighbourhoods around Place Brugmann and Place Chatelaine, and the art deco homes around the ponds of Ixelles, all offer a great chance to experience Brussels life at its best.  

 

Ixelles is also home to the busy Place Flagey with its famous cafes and buzzing sidewalk scene, and the chic shopping street Avenue Louise. The Abbey de la Cambre is also found in Ixelles. Parking is always a challenge here as most of the above mentioned neighbourhoods are popular shopping, dining out, and market destinations. Some apartments have parking and during off peak hours, parking is sometimes possible on the street. 

 

Many expat families live in these areas and it’s not uncommon to see strollers parked outside of the neighbourhood restaurants. Central to downtown and the European quarter, Ixelles is great for couples, singles, or a young family. For school age children using the international schools, commuting to them requires a car.

 

 

This cosmopolitan commune is mainly residential, with large amount of green space in parks and forests. The Parc de la Woluwe/Woluwepark, the Mellaerts Ponds (With mini golf and paddle boats) and the Forêt de Soignes/Zoniënwoud are wonderful places for strolling, biking, and relaxing outdoors. The commune is also a favourite of embassies, and housing here is a mix of apartments, townhouses, and large homes, many with private gardens. 

 

Parking is also a non-issue in most of the commune. The Avenue de Tervueren / Tervurenlaan is one of Brussels’ main arteries in and out of the city and dissects the commune. Surrounding streets hide beautiful homes and commercial centres like Stockel (Place Dumon) where shops, restaurants, hair dressers, banks, and a popular weekly market are frequented by families and young people alike. There is also a metro and tram stop here making it easily accessible to the rest of the city.

WSP also has a wonderful sports centre with pool, tennis courts, and soccer pitch, and is open to residents of the commune for a small fee. For access to the highway and airport, and downtown, WSP is ideal, albeit expensive. The commune authority itself is also very well organized and accommodating to foreigners and newcomers to Brussels. The commune of Kraainem, is almost an extension of WSP, though more residential.

 

 

Watermael-Boitsfort is in the south of the capital and borders Uccle, Ixelles and Auderghem, also interesting communes, Uccle being one of the most expensive in Brussels. Until the 19th century, Watermael/Watermaal and Boitsfort/Bosvoorde formed two separate hamlets. But King Leopold II's urban renewal project turned things upside down and joined the two.

With easy access to the city, it gradually became a highly sought-after residential area. Half of the commune's territory is covered by the Forêt de Soignes/Zoniënwoud making it ideal for bikers and walkers, and clusters of semi-rural housing and village houses give the commune a quaint charm, yet large villas are also plentiful. The International School of Brussels (ISB) is located here, and there is easy, though busy, access to the highway.

  

 

Outside of Brussels, the communities of Tervuren, (only 10 minutes from Woluwe Saint Pierre and Kraainem), Overijse, and Waterloo are popular for expatriate families, mainly for their availability of large homes and lower cost of living, and proximity to the international schools, yet are still close enough to commute into the city, though car traffic into Brussels in the morning is very heavy. Tervuren is home to the African Museum and has several tram stops that access the city centre.

by Brussels Expert Kimberley Lovato