to Belgium as students

4POSTS

15 years ago

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!

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hannahhadman Serial expat

951POSTS

15 years ago

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

Melby Serial expat

362POSTS

15 years ago

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 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

4POSTS

15 years ago

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

951POSTS

15 years ago

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.