Anyone live in Brussels? Are we mad?

[loucee]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone on Mumsnet lives in Brussels? DH has been asked to consider a contract out there but he can't seriously look at it until we've researched what it would be like to live in Brussels.

The contract would be for 9 months with possible extension to 16 months.

my questions are:

1. is the cost of living expensive in Brussels?
2. would I need to have intensive language lessons prior to going out or could I get by on just knowing the basics to get by?
3. DD would be 2 and new baby would be about 8 wks old when we/if we went - is it easy to meet mums out there?
4. Any advice for us?!!

Thanks in advance

Emsy - generally, local belgian schools are very good.

The BSB is very expensive.

Do not rate international Montessori in Tervuren - a friend's daughter went there and she was really, really behind when she went back into the British system at 9. They spend an inordinate amount of time learning crap - friend's child got marks for peeling potatoes and washing windows on her school report.

LTIB - arrived Jan 2002, left Sept 2006