Settling in Namur means choosing a human-sized city, pleasant to live in, and still affordable. Whether you are a student, an expatriate, or with family, you will easily find suitable accommodation: room, studio, house, or even intergenerational housing. In this article, we guide you step by step to find accommodation, understand the rents, avoid pitfalls, and navigate the procedures to properly settle in Namur.
Where to settle in Namur
Namur is the capital of the province of Namur and Wallonia. It is comprised of 25 municipalities: Beez, Belgrade, Boninne, Bouge, Champion, Wallonia, Cognelée, Daussoulx, Dave, Erpent, Flawinne, Gelbressée, Jambes, Lives-sur-Meuse, Loyers, Malonne, Marche-les-Dames, Naninne, Saint-Servais, Saint-Marc, Suarlée, Temploux, Vedrin, Wépion, and Wierde. The province itself is divided into three administrative districts: the arrondissements of Dinant, Namur, and Philippeville.
If you're considering living in the greater Namur agglomeration, it's worth noting that it naturally rests in a basin formed by the Meuse and Sambre rivers. The Citadel of Namur, which stands atop rocky cliffs, was originally a fortress built at the point where the two rivers meet. Here, you'll find the Cardinal Mercier district, which is one of the most well-known areas. Not only is it very close to the city center, but it is also right next to the university and Namur station.
In Namur itself, you'll find numerous small shops selling clothing, food, crafts, school supplies, and more. There are also restaurants, cafes, museums, theaters, galleries, and some tourist attractions. The city center is especially pedestrian-friendly, making it a delightful place to spend your afternoons.
If you wish to shop at large supermarkets, however, you'll need to head to the outskirts of the city. Also, be aware that most shops are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and banks and administrative buildings are open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
How to search for accommodation in Namur
Finding a new home when moving to a new country is never easy. However, the internet is full of resources, and it's quite easy to spot neighborhoods and accommodations that might appeal to you.
Among the sites to explore are: Immovlan, Immoweb, Zimmo, and Appartager, which is ideal for shared housing.
Afterward, simply call the real estate agency or the landlord. It might also be useful to join Facebook groups, as many people offer accommodation solutions in Namur there.
If you already have a network of friends and family in Belgium, use it. Word of mouth can sometimes work wonders! This is especially true if your network is connected online, as it allows information to travel quickly. In no time, you might find yourself with an interesting contact for your housing in Namur.
Real estate agencies are generally aware of all the new available accommodations in Namur. We highly recommend contacting them in preparation for your move to this city. It will also be more convenient when it comes to completing administrative formalities in a foreign country.
If you are already in Namur, keep an eye out for any sign displaying "for rent". You can then determine if you like the surrounding neighborhood, and if so, take note of the information so you can contact the owner later.
And finally, there are the stores. These shops are good places to look for rental offers. Some owners often post their rental ads there. So be on the lookout for notice boards in Namur stores.
Types of accommodation in Namur
Temporary accommodation
Need a place to stay before settling down permanently? Don't worry! As Namur is a popular tourist destination, you'll find plenty of hostels, hotels, and Airbnb rentals in the area.
Your most economical option will be the hostel. However, your choice will be very limited, as there is only one hostel in Namur, called Hostel Namur. If you stay there, you'll have a stunning view of the rivers and the citadel. You can choose between double rooms, family rooms, or dormitories; Hostel Namur has a total of 93 beds and 23 rooms. The rooms can accommodate 2, 3, 4, or 5 people and offer free Wi-Fi, personal lockers, and even a private shower and sink in each room. The dormitories, on the other hand, have shared showers and bathrooms.
Staying in a youth hostel can be cheaper, but there is a limit of 7 nights, and you must wait four weeks between successive stays. This makes it a good transitional solution, but not viable for more than a week.
In this case, it might be better to look at standard hotels. The good news is that there are many of them scattered throughout Namur. You can therefore choose without worry the one that is best located and most economical. The average price for a standard room in Namur ranges from €70 to €110 per night, depending on the season and level of comfort.
You should also consider staying in an Airbnb if you want to get a taste of local life. You can rent any type of accommodation from a simple apartment to something as sophisticated as a cottage or a guest house. These latter options may be a bit more expensive, but you'll get a unique insight into local life from the Namurois perspective.
Some hosts also offer reduced rates for one or two-week stays, so don't hesitate to negotiate if you plan to stay longer.
If you're looking for a compromise between an apartment and hotel service, aparthotels are an excellent alternative. These furnished accommodations with equipped kitchens often include cleaning, Wi-Fi, and sometimes parking. This allows you to live "like at home" while maintaining flexibility. Daily rates generally decrease if you book by the week or month.
If you want to venture off the beaten path and enjoy nature, there are several campgrounds in Namur. These include Camping Trieux, Camping Little Cortil, Camping Le Douaire, Pommier Rustique, Camping Le Pachy, among others. Some are more remote than others, but it may be worth discovering the natural beauty of Namur while searching for more permanent accommodation closer to the city center.
Long-term accommodation
Rooms
Rooms are ideal for students and people on a tight budget. They are also suitable for singles, although privacy is limited, especially if shared spaces (bathroom, kitchen) are involved. Generally, these rooms measure between 15 and 20 m².
Studios
Next comes the studio, which is essentially an open-plan living space. This means you can easily move from the kitchen to the living room and bedroom. There is also not much privacy, so it's better for singles or couples. These measure between 40 and 50 m², which is larger than what you'll find in other Belgian cities.
One-bedroom apartment
One-bedroom apartments in Namur are slightly larger than studios, with separate rooms, and average around 60 m². They offer more comfort for one or two people. It is also very common to find two-bedroom or larger apartments, especially for families or shared living arrangements. These properties can reach 100 m² or more, providing generous living space while remaining within an affordable price range.
Houses for rent
Finally, you'll find that in Namur there are also houses for rent. Many of them are not very central but offer plenty of living space. A four-bedroom house of 200 m², for example, would be perfect for a young family. You'll have room for your children and can easily commute to work in the city center if necessary.
You can rent these places in unfurnished or furnished versions. In fact, you will find more unfurnished than furnished accommodations. But if you are looking for this latter type of rental, nothing is impossible. Be prepared, however, to search longer and pay more, as landlords will want to be compensated for providing everything. You will also need to be extra cautious because if you damage anything, it will be deducted from your deposit.
Unfurnished "shell" apartments
Beware of unfurnished "shell" apartments. These will be attractive because they are very inexpensive compared to unfurnished and furnished accommodations. But there is another price to pay.
An "unfurnished shell" apartment is a completely empty space:
- no installed kitchen,
- no light fixtures,
- no curtains,
- sometimes not even paint on the walls or floor coverings.
In other words, you only get the walls, ceiling, and bare floor, sometimes with basic connections (water, electricity, heating), and it's up to you to furnish everything. This can be interesting if you plan to stay for several years, as you can personalize everything to your taste and keep your furnishings when you move.
But it also requires a larger initial budget to equip everything, and time to do the work or installations.
Student housing
The University of Namur offers more than 500 residential units for students, divided into three categories:
- Residences for women;
- Residences for men;
- Mixed or group community houses, where students share common spaces (living room, kitchen, sanitary facilities) while having their private room.
There are also "project kots", which are private student rooms reserved for those who need to work together on a project. This allows them to live and work more efficiently.
If you want off-campus housing in Namur, you'll need to look for private apartments. You should also keep an eye on the university's website, as it publishes an online database of kots between June 1st and September 30th. There are also other options, such as intergenerational housing (see below).
Alternative accommodation
Looking for something less conventional? Good news: Namur offers some interesting alternative housing options, particularly suited to students, young professionals, or those in transition.
There are intergenerational housing, for example. These are primarily intended for students and young workers, though under certain conditions, families can also participate in this program. Essentially, you will be paired with an elderly person whom you will assist with certain tasks. This can indeed be a mutually beneficial housing situation. Seniors will feel less lonely, and young people can access good housing while building social connections.
Rent in Namur
According to the latest Immovlan.be barometer, a 200 m² house costs between €1,100 and €2,300 per month. Utilities and taxes are not included.
As for apartments, a two-room apartment of 50 m² will cost over €700, and for a two-room apartment of about 120 m², it will cost between €900 and €1,000 per month. If you prefer to rent a studio, it will cost between €600 and €700 for a 50 m² studio. Rooms are by far the cheapest option. They will cost between €300 and €450 for a 20 m² room.
Real estate rental in Namur
In Namur, most people contact landlords by phone, although it has become perfectly acceptable to communicate by email. Once you have expressed your interest, the landlord is obligated to describe the property to you and offer a viewing date if you request it. This is your right.
During the visit, you should carefully inspect the property. Make sure all appliances are working, and if they are not, report it to the landlord to see when the necessary repairs will be made.
After visiting the property, if you still wish to move in, you must sign a contract. Both you and the landlord must sign and date this contract, and each of you will keep a copy. You will also both need to make an inventory of the place, even if it is unfurnished. Similarly, before moving out at the end of the contract, you will need to go through the inventory list together again. The amount for anything not in good condition will be deducted from your deposit before it is returned to you.
It is your landlord's responsibility to register the rental contract within two months of signing, so don't let them intimidate you into doing it yourself.
If they do not register it one month beyond the first two, the law allows you to leave without giving notice or compensation if you wish to leave. Otherwise, you must give at least three months' notice, depending on the type of contract you have.
The rules for moving in and out of Namur
If you park on any street in Namur, even when you move, you need a permit. If you are moving with a container or truck, you must first make a written request to the Public Domain and Security, two days before your moving date.
This request must include the following:
- The applicant's first name, last name, or business name;
- The postal address;
- A phone number;
- The place you are moving from/to and where the truck/container will be parked;
- The request for a space reservation;
- Date and duration of the event.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
