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Living overseas

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Moving to Brussels in 2014

12 replies

SeeBrad · 21/10/2013 11:42

Hi all
We are possibly moving to Brussels in Easter 2014. I have a dd who is 4 and a ds who will be 6. I have read some really helpful threads on Mumsnet. I wondered if some of you could help me with a couple of things. Firstly I have read about a "golden triangle" of roads near the British School in Tervuren. Any idea which roads these are and also is there anything in Tervuren other than the school? In other words could I walk to get a pint of milk (or cycle) or do I have to always get in the car?
Next question is where are the popular International schools located? I wondered if I could live in the centre, somewhere like Ixelles/ Avenue Louise and send the children to an International School close by that would still have a good school community? My husband's office is in Anderlecht.
Thanks all, sorry this is rambling I just dont know Brussels at all so am a bit overwhelmed.

OP posts:
bigbrick · 21/10/2013 11:53

Tervuren to Anderlecht will be an good hour & half journey if lucky on the ring road. Public transport goes from Tervuren African Museum via tram to Brussel and then metro to Anderlecht - about an hour if all transport co- ordinates. When I drive to Anderlecht from the south side of Brussel suburbs 5tervuren is to the east) I take a back roads way through the city but the time is the same it's just I prefer to be moving rather than stuck in traffic.

bigbrick · 21/10/2013 12:00

There is a supermarket opposite the bsb and Tervuren has most things available. I don't know on the best areas to live there. Living in the centre would be a good option for public transport to your dh work. There is the ISB in Watermael and BJAB near Montgomery.

bigbrick · 21/10/2013 12:18

Here's a metro map - The first metro stop in Anderlecht is Jacques Brel & Erasme is the last. www.bxel.net/metro-de-bruxelles/plan-du-metro.html

bigbrick · 21/10/2013 12:20

Tervuren to Brussel Mongomery where you can change to the metro to Anderlecht region www.stib.be/horaires-dienstregeling2.html?l=fr&moduscode=T&linecode=44

SeeBrad · 21/10/2013 12:59

Thanks bigbrick will have a nosey at the schools. I would prefer to live in the centre anyway I think but primary concern of course is for the kids school to be right.

OP posts:
bigbrick · 21/10/2013 13:14

In Tervuren there is also St Pauls School in the Vossem area. For houses in Brussel and suburbs check out immoweb.be and in addition for Tervuren have a look at www.ifacservice.be/en/index.html (has the address so you vcan look up on google map/street view. I notice that this one is walking distance to St Pauls Primary www.ifacservice.be/en/zoeken/detail/348328/vossem/woning-stationsstraat.html. It's just the rush hour that travel from Tervuren to Anderlecht would be a challenge on the road. Before 6.30am and after 10.00am the traffic usually is moving on the ring .

rushingrachel · 21/10/2013 17:15

My DS (5) is at BJAB which is central, being at Montgomery. We chose it because DS was quite a nervous small child and it is a small school where all the kids know one another. He's mostly been really really happy. It doesn't, because of the location, have the fantastic grounds and facilities of BSB. PM me if there is anything you would like to know about BJAB.

runningmad · 21/10/2013 17:19

The golden triangle is exactly that, an triangular shaped area opposite BSB where many of the houses are rented by multi-nationals and embassies for their employees, most go to BSB but some to other private schools.

All the private international schools are on this map. None of them are convenient for work in Anderlecht. There are roughly 25 to choose from in the greater Brussels area, more if you count those in Brabant Wallon.
batchgeo.com/map/2a31361d90c2d9ff7569e087ee44ccd5

How long are you going to be in Belgium? With children so young, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity of giving the gift of bilingualism to your children, it will also help them integrate here and give them access to local activities at a fraction of the cost sometimes of equivalent activities in English. If you're here for more than 2 years, you should think of local education too.

Take a look at the exact work address. It might be very near to metro / tram. Most well-off people who aren't Belgian live in the northern, central, south and east of Brussels, basically west of the canal which divides Brussels. East Brussels has the highest concentration of non Belgians of "expat" type. The metro goes to Anderlecht from east Brussels in about 40-45 minutes.

Louise and Ixelles is expensive and really not good for families. I must have written that a thousand times now. Parking, traffic, you'd have to be mad. Tervuren is mad for working in Anderlecht too.

Here are the local schools in French.
batchgeo.com/map/1f1bf2b3b6e4ad41fe67c1a57d56a826

Here are the local schools in Dutch.
batchgeo.com/map/0ab9b04d71432cbcbb02ab479275d4cf

SeeBrad · 22/10/2013 10:07

Rushingrachel- we have just arranged to view the school. I feel the same, a small school would be brilliant for my son as he doesn't seem to thrive in huge groups. Would love to hear more so let me work out how to use this site and send you a PM. Fab thank you. Where do people live who go to BJAB? WSP? Any recommendations? I can't bear the thought of getting in my car to get a pint of milk I want to be able to walk to places.
Thanks everyone for these replies am really grateful

OP posts:
SeeBrad · 22/10/2013 10:10

Runningmad - you are a star thank you for all of this info

OP posts:
rushingrachel · 22/10/2013 11:00

Have sent you a PM!

Lottie13 · 24/10/2013 12:20

Long-time Brussels resident and occasional lurker on this board here. I know that there are strong views that Ixelles/Louise are not good locations for families. And I absolutely agree that the gardens/garages/quiet in these areas can't be compared to the Stockel or WSP or Tervuren areas. And it's more expensive per square metre.

BUT I've lived around Louise, the Sablon or Pl Brugmann very happily with kids for many years. All a question of taste in my view and for those happy to forego the advantages of a more suburban life - or frankly who simply prefer down-town living - then there's lots to recommend.

I love it in fact. 30 minutes to the office with public transport (or 15 minutes in the car at 8.00), loads of great restaurants and shops on the doorstep, parking much easier since residents' permits introduced, good small parks and sports facilities close by... I could go on but won't! May not be to everyone's taste but for anyone who's lived in central Paris, then central Brussels is a joy (aesthetic considerations aside...).

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