| Brussels and Belgium are good places to come to live | | | | the UK and employees have more legal protection |
| and work, whether you are planning to stay for a | | | | and social benefits such as vacation, which is usually a |
| year or two or maybe for longer. Here are some of | | | | generous 5 or 6 weeks after the first year. There |
| the advantages: | | | | are also more public holidays. |
| Belgium has a lucrative job market | | | | Great food and drink |
| There is high demand for qualified skilled professionals. | | | | Belgium also has a world renown cuisine that surprises |
| This is especially so in Brussels, where most of the | | | | even the French. There is also an enormous range of |
| EU institutions are based. Plus there are many | | | | excellent Belgian beers to try! |
| international corporations located in the city and | | | | Language isn't really a problem |
| surrounding region. Flanders to the north of Brussels | | | | Most people in Belgium speak pretty good English and |
| is also host to many internationally known companies. | | | | in many large companies the working language is |
| Housing is relatively affordable | | | | English. Belgium and especially Brussels has a big expat |
| Parts of Brussels can be expensive, but rents in | | | | population and you can get by in most cases in |
| Belgium are generally much lower than in Britain or | | | | English. Learning French or Dutch (Belgium's two main |
| London. There's also no shortage of affordable | | | | languages) is however a good idea to get the best |
| property to buy as well as to rent. | | | | out of the country and in order to integrate better. |
| Commuting is easier and cheaper than in UK | | | | The media is international |
| Although the trains can be full, distances tend to be | | | | Media in Belgium is very international, especially |
| relatively short. And train tickets are much cheaper | | | | television. Most Belgians have cable TV (which also |
| than in Britain and are half-price everywhere in | | | | now carries Internet and phone services). There are |
| Belgium at weekends. | | | | some 40 TV channels available, most of which are |
| Transport connections are excellent | | | | non-Belgian. And BBC1 and BBC2 are available |
| Living and working in Belgium and especially Brussels | | | | throughout Belgium as standard. |
| means that you're never far from the UK. The | | | | To sum up: Belgium is a great location whether you're |
| Eurostar high speed train service with the UK is now | | | | looking to emigrate longer term or just to spend |
| very fast and much more convenient than flying, | | | | some time living and working in another EU country. |
| assuming you live in southern England. It takes under | | | | Belgium isn't perfect of course, but overall, I'd say |
| 2 hours to get from the centre of Brussels to the | | | | the advantages outweigh any disadvantages. |
| centre of London. You're also never more than a few | | | | I moved here two years ago and I'm glad I made |
| hours away from Belgium's North Sea coast, most of | | | | the decision. It's been well worth it and I'd seriously |
| which consists of golden sandy beaches. | | | | recommend that you consider Belgium as a |
| A more relaxed work culture | | | | destination if you're thinking of moving abroad. |
| The work culture in Belgium is more relaxed than in | | | | |