Moving to Brussels with tween/ teens - what to expect, the good and the bad

[Baguetteandbrie]

It looks like my husband may have the opportunity to go and work in Brussels. Really good job with supported (EEB) schooling for DC's 11 and 12.
One DC has literally just started secondary.
DH and me have always thought an opportunity such as this would be valuable and - although it feels a bit scary in reality!
However, I am a little nervous about the impact on the DC's.
Could this be a great opportunity or a disruptive wrong choice?!!
At home we are currently fortunate to have a good disposable income and so are able to go on nice holidays, kids do hobbies etc but we live in a bit of cultural desert area. Thinking that living in a cosmopolitan city would have it's benefits for the children. Also, keen for them to understand that the world outside of where we live is for exploring..
What are the realities of moving kids this age to a new country, away from their friends etc?..

I'd also second the comment above that healthcare here is excellent. There's a payment at point of service system, but you get pretty much all of it refunded back to you afterwards (especially if your employer offers a supplementary insurance). Dentistry is soooo much easier to get here than in the UK (which might be relevant for teenagers needing braces).

Thanks for all the new info. We're still waiting to see if this is an 100% option for my DH work wise so doesn't seem the decision is 100% ours at the moment. Should get confirmation by end of Oct.
We have checked again though and EEB apparently would definitely be an option with who my husband's employer would be. @amyboo if we do get a definite green light I might take you up on the DM as part of the final decision making!
Re university and loans, we have international friends whose children have attended EU countries for Uni and been taught in English (e.g., Netherlands). I wasn't assuming that a UK uni would be the only option. Yes, there are differing fees / may be more costly but we wouldn't see it as insurmountable.
For me it's more about the upheaval at the kids are at now. We have spent a lot of time holidaying in Belgium/France/Netherlands so the culture isn't completely new to us or the children. Although of course holidays and living are very different!
@SummerCycling interesting info. I do quite like the ugly coast there but I know what you mean 😊
Thanjs for all the info. Lots of food for thought....

Did you move in the end? We are moving this summer and looking for any tips and hints.

Hi. No we didn't. It's strange looking back on these messages as it would have been good to have had the opportunity despite the worries. Good luck!!

Thank you. We have organized a school and now flat hunting and we move in 13 weeks