Best 10 Belgium move

t’s raining and I’m huddled over a tepid beer in a café full of disgruntled tourists. After my third glass of Leffe I badly need to go to the toilet, but it's guarded by a ferocious middle-aged woman. ‘50 cents or no pee pee,’ she snaps.
As I return to my table I feel rather lightheaded so I order a glass of water, but the waiter is having none of it. Local law stipulates against free tap water, he barks. Settling for a seven-euro bottled equivalent, I gaze at the city’s top tourist attraction – a statue of a boy urinating.
Welcome to Belgium.
I arrived in Brussels in 2009 for a job in the European Parliament and was bitterly disappointed. However, after two years in the EU capital and a further year in Antwerp, I learnt that Belgium is a great country with fabulous culture, lots of travel opportunities and a superb quality of life.
The beer is of course good, as is the chocolate. Stray away from tourist traps, such as the notoriously bad Rue des Bouchers in Brussels, and a land of gastronomic delights beckons. Waterzooi, a deliciously creamy chicken and fish broth, and shrimp croquettes are certainly worth a try.                  

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The beer in Belgium is famously good  Credit: Dado Daniela/ Moment RF

But it’s the foreign recipes that Belgians cook so well. Belgium is a cauldron of nationalities, and the proof of its diversity is in its pudding… or fresh egg pasta: 17% of the population were foreign born, with the largest proportion coming from Italy.

Multicultural Belgium, however, isn’t always seen in a positive light. Muslim migrants face discrimination and ‘Molenbeekphobia’ is a shameful reality. Nevertheless, on the whole Belgians are good at working together calmly to find solutions. In 2010 the country went 589 days without a government, and still ticked along nicely. It even outperformed other euro economies.
With the exception of waiters and shop assistants, Belgians are adept at seeking compromise. If you’re invited to a house party, the first question you’ll be asked is which language you prefer. There are three official languages (French, Flemish and German), but my Belgian friends speak excellent English and can get by in many more languages too.

Humour: Get to know them and you’ll be surprised how fun Belgians are. Self-deprecation and silliness are de rigeur.                                                                                                                                 Haal de beste films op Cineflix

Language: Belgians are often mocked by their Gallic neighbours for their slower diction and unusual turns of phrase, but non-native speakers will undoubtedly find Belgian French easier to understand. Meanwhile in Flanders most locals speak fluent English. Throw in a few Flemish phrases and you’ll be rewarded with a surprised smile.

Travel: Belgium is about eight times smaller than the UK. Its compact size, along with its great roads, brilliant rail network and Schengen membership make holidays across the border a breeze. Inside Belgium, getting around by bike is very convenient, with dedicated cycle lanes stretching across most of the country.

Tax: Director level expatriates working at international groups or research centres benefit from hugely generous tax exemptions. Additional rebates depend on the individual case, but typically include the cost of decorating the new home and even the expatriate’s child’s education.

Culture: The highbrow sits snugly alongside the experimental in Belgium. Renaissance art, comic book literature, Art Nouveau architecture and electro music are all part of the country’s proud heritage. World renowned music, fashion and art festivals take place alongside smaller free events, meaning there is always something going on to entertain and delight. 

Multiculturalism: While racism and prejudice are certainly an issue, Belgium is wonderfully multicultural. It’s a rare delight to see Italian, Moroccan, Chinese and West African roots mingling among each other in such a small space. Not only does it make the country more interesting, it also makes for some of the best restaurants in the world.                                                                                 Downlod Link: Haal de beste films op Cineflix

Food: With such an ethnically diverse population and so many business travellers to the region, it’s no surprise that Belgium hosts some of the best restaurants in the world. With elegant local cuisine and authentic foreign eateries, expats in Belgium will not go hungry. 

Pace: The slower pace of life in Belgium might infuriate first time arrivals, but most long-term residents grow to love it. Shops are generally closed on Sundays, making the country blissfully calm on weekends in particular.