Why Brussels Might Be Europe's Most Underrated City
When most people plan their European dream, they picture the Eiffel Tower, the canals of Amsterdam, or the sun-drenched piazzas of Rome. Brussels rarely makes that shortlist. And yet, for thousands of expats who have stumbled into Belgian life — sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance, and sometimes by love — the Belgian capital has quietly proven itself to be one of the most livable, rewarding, and genuinely underappreciated cities on the continent.
Claire Drinkwater is one of those people. In May 2015, she packed up her life in London and moved to Brussels to be with her partner, a man she had met while both were on a career break traveling through New Zealand. Rather than accept the complications of a long-distance relationship, she took a leap of faith — and what she found on the other side surprised her in all the best ways.
Arriving with an Open Mind (and No Real Plan)
Claire arrived during an unusual heat wave, the kind of weather Belgium is decidedly not famous for. As she settled in, took French classes, and interviewed for jobs, locals couldn't resist warning her: "Don't get used to this weather." It was a small but telling introduction to the dry Belgian sense of humor — self-deprecating, honest, and oddly endearing.
That spirit of honesty, it turns out, runs through much of what makes Brussels special. This is not a city that sells itself aggressively. It doesn't need to. For the people who take the time to look past the grey skies and the reputation as a bureaucratic hub for EU institutions, Brussels reveals itself layer by layer: its art nouveau architecture, its thriving food scene, its deep multicultural character, and its astonishing position at the center of everything Europe has to offer.
The Real Cost of Living in Brussels
One of the most compelling reasons expats choose to stay in Brussels — even when they arrived without much intention of doing so — is the cost of living compared to other major Western European capitals. London, Paris, and Amsterdam have become increasingly unaffordable for young professionals and families. Brussels, by contrast, still offers a quality of life that feels genuinely attainable.
- Rental prices in Brussels are significantly lower than in London or Paris for comparable city-center apartments.
- Dining out, from casual bistros to fine Belgian cuisine, remains accessible without breaking the bank.
- Public transport is efficient and reasonably priced, making car ownership optional rather than essential.
- Healthcare in Belgium is high quality and structured to keep out-of-pocket costs manageable for residents.
For expats coming from cities where salaries feel perpetually stretched, Brussels can feel like a quiet financial exhale — a place where you can actually enjoy your income rather than simply survive on it.
Brussels as a Gateway to All of Europe
Perhaps the single greatest advantage of choosing Brussels as a home base is its extraordinary geographic position. Sitting at the crossroads of Western Europe, the city offers weekend travelers an almost unfair advantage. Paris is just under two hours away by high-speed train. London is roughly two hours via the Eurostar. Amsterdam, Cologne, and Luxembourg City are all within easy reach.
For curious, travel-hungry expats, this means that living in Brussels doesn't feel like staying in one place — it feels like having a quiet, comfortable home base from which the entire continent is accessible. Weekend breaks become a genuine part of everyday life, not a once-a-year luxury. Whether it's a spontaneous trip to the tulip fields, a long weekend in a French château, or a cultural escape to Berlin, Brussels puts it all within reach at a fraction of the effort required from less central cities.
What People Who Visit Brussels Often Miss
The tourists who pass through Brussels on their way to somewhere else tend to see only the surface: the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis, perhaps a waffle and a box of chocolates. These are worthy stops, of course, but they represent only a sliver of what the city actually contains.
Living in Brussels means discovering the neighborhoods that don't make the guidebooks. Ixelles and Saint-Gilles are dense with art nouveau townhouses designed in the tradition of Victor Horta, the Belgian architect who helped define a movement. The Matonge district brings the vibrant energy of the Congolese diaspora to the heart of Europe. The Sablon neighborhood is a haven for antique hunters and lovers of fine chocolate. The Bois de la Cambre offers genuine green space, and the city's many covered arcades feel like stepping into another century entirely.
Brussels is also a deeply multilingual and multicultural city in a way that few others are. French, Dutch, English, and dozens of other languages coexist in daily life. For expats, this creates an immediate sense of inclusion — you are never the only outsider, and the city has long practice at making room for people who arrive from somewhere else.
Coming for Love, Staying for Life
Claire Drinkwater came to Brussels for a relationship. What she found was a city that grew on her slowly and then all at once — the way the best places do. Ten years on, she is still there, still discovering, and still convinced that Belgium's most famous city deserves far more credit than the world gives it.
Her story is not unique. Across Brussels, expats who arrived with low expectations and open hearts have found something they didn't know they were looking for: a city that rewards patience, that offers genuine quality of life, and that sits quietly at the center of the world without making a great fuss about it.
If you have ever dismissed Brussels as a stopover or a punchline, it may be time to look again. The people who actually live there already know what you're missing.