House Search

Dear Reader,

I wanted to share my personal experience of searching for an apartment in Antwerp. For context, my name is Aizaz, a 26-year-old male from Pakistan who recently completed my Masters in Paris, France.

In February 2023, I arrived in Antwerp and began my search for housing while staying at a temporary residence. Prior to my arrival, I had visited Antwerp twice to explore the city and had scheduled viewings through various Facebook groups, but they were not very fruitful.

To search for residences and contact landlords or rental agencies, I used three websites:

1. Immoweb (most frequently used by me and where I found my current residence)
2. Immovlan
3. zimmo

This is no advertisement for these websites but just that I found them helpful. These websites offer filters to customize your search and provide information on how to contact relevant parties. I recommend drafting a standard pitch that introduces yourself, requests a viewing, or asks questions. Be sure to follow guidelines and contact during standard office hours. Another option is searching on the websites of local rental agencies, I felt they have fewer options but it might work for you.

It is important to BEWARE of scams when searching for housing. Common red flags include:

• Someone offering a very tempting deal that is: very low rent
• Says they are in some other country outside Belgium and a viewing can't be arranged
• Asks you to pay upfront, sign the contract, and tries to hurry in closing a deal (all online)
• Redirects you to someone else, gives you a Whatsapp number of someone else, and their number is visibly non-Belgian (Not everyone is a scammer in this case but just be careful)
• Asks you to pay before physically viewing the place
• Avoids telling you the exact location (Not everyone is a scammer in this case but just be careful)
• and many more (feel free to add more in the comments)

If possible, visit Antwerp before moving and explore different areas to decide where you would prefer to live. If visiting is not feasible, Google Maps and Reddit are helpful resources. The rental market is competitive, and it is crucial to act quickly in showing interest and making decisions. Don't be surprised to find many others at a viewing.

In conclusion, I hope that my experiences searching for an apartment in Antwerp have been helpful to you. Remember to be cautious of scams and to do your own research when looking for housing. I also encourage you to share your own experiences in the comments below. Let's continue the conversation and help each other find the best housing deals in Antwerp!

Best regards,

Aizaz