Moving to Brussels this summer

[Angelasmith83]

Morning everyone!

I'm new to mumsnet and the idea of living abroad! Hoping to find some other mums in Brussels and some much needed advice.

My husband is started a job at BSB in September, and my 4 year old will be going there too. My first question is about where to live. I currently live in Bristol so have been spoilt with the ability to walk or cycle anywhere I need. I would love to be able to do the school run on foot, bikes or public transport if I can. I also have a 1 year old in tow. I'm learning French, haven't started learning Flemish yet, but I plan to. I want to feel connected to the city so think I should avoid villages where I'm car dependant. Also, I'm concerned about feeling isolated so think a busier location might make more sense. We currently live in a small house, so I'm not desperate for a big house, the sort it seems we could get in a more rural location. We have a modest budget and are hoping for a 3 bed house or appt with a garden.

From looking at the map, can anyone tell me what they think the following areas to live, based on ease of the school run and stuff to do and the general feel of the area. I'm hoping to find a down to earth area where we can meet other young families.

Tervuren
WSP
Auderghem
Overijse
Wezembeek

Any where else I've missed that you think could be good?

Angela

BSB has no principal at all at the moment, the primary and secondary heads are rotating until the new one arrives in September. She's a head at a Bristol consortium of previous failing state schools.

If you can get a house in Tervuren central, take it!

Duisburg is part of Tervuren and so is Vossem and Moorsel too, but a bit further away from BSB but you can cycle in from both.

I'd also take Sterrebeek or Kraainem. Kraainem is the only French speaking option. Sterrebeek is fine and so is Kraainem.

I'd HATE Overijse, Kortenberg and Everberg. They are pretty crap for public transport and you'll be very car dependent if you want to get out and about and local facilities are crap too (apart from the Overijse swimming pool).

Central Tervuren has 44 tram. Part of Sterrebeek is near 39 tram. You can also get the bus from Vossem, Moorsel, Sterrebeek and Duisburg quickly to BSB and central Tervuren but not very fast into Brussels, in fact Leuven is nearer to some of these areas.

Thanks life. I think we're going to submit our preferences next week so you've given us lots to think about!

Teaandbiscuitsforme as you have a 1 year old, choice of area might be a bit less crucial really, it's only if you are interested in BSB or St Paul's primary where living in Tervuren is very beneficial.

Local schooling however starts at 2.5 years old here, so you might be interested in considering it. In all the municipalities you have named, Dutch is the language of the local schools. Kraainem is French or Dutch but it will depend where in the municipality whether French or Dutch schools are more convenient.

As for social life, well Kraainem will give you best access to Brussels and to a very lively potential social life in Kraainem/Wezembeek/WSP area. Tervuren is good too, with Vossem and Moorsel and Duisburg, but more likely English speaking mums in that area will have their children in BSB or St Paul's so you would be more likely to be living more of a bubble and have to make more effort to avoid those school bubbles, if that is not what you want.

Tea, we are ex HM forces and dh had done three consecutive appointments here in Brussels, retiring in 2014. We are back, as he has a NATO civvy job that conveniently coincided with retiring.

Tervuren is good, which is where we were for 7.5 years. Duisburg, where we are now, is great, and the bit I am in is quite rural, so it is just like home.

If you want to be near the Welcombeek (the Hive equivalent) and the doc, then Sterrebeek. There are buses about, so it isn't a problem.

I know that the MoD had to take on family homes recently, as they were putting families in unsuitable flats, and saying they had to wait until people move out of the SSFAs, but a few sharp pushes and this has changed. You need to mank at the housing office at SHAPE until it gets sorted, and do not be fobbed off, as one person there in particular is very good at sloping shoulders.

PM me if you need any more info.

Scary - you're still here!!!!!!

Longtime I am back, having moved back to UK, end of 2013, and then back again in 2014. Here now til 2019. Different address this time, no more MOD magnolia walls!!!! PM me and we can catch up with a coffee sometime?

Will do Scary!