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Your first days in your home in Belgium

Cheryl

Hello everyone,

Do you remember the first time you set foot in Belgium? One of your main concerns must have been the settling down process in your new home.

Share your experience and tell us what it was like to find your new home in Belgium and how the moving-in process worked for you.

How did you find it (with an estate agency, your company, social networks, friends) and how long did it take?

At that time, what were the most common housing options available in your area ? How did you narrow down your search?

Did you opt for a temporary housing solution during your first days in Belgium?

What are the main differences you noticed with your home country when it comes to the type of housing and formalities to settle in, etc.?

What struck you the most when you first moved in? Were there any challenges that you faced? If yes, how did you overcome them?

Is there any piece of advice that you would like to give to future expatriates to make their new place feel like home?

Thank you for your input.

Cheryl
²ÝÁñÉçÇø team

See also

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bhargavmanivala

Hi,


I moved to Antwerp on 1st April. It is all new to me still. Anyhow, I want to share my experience here.

I found this apartment in immoweb. Since the owner listed directly in the website, I did not go through any agencies (though it would have been convenient considering all the facilities they provide as an expat).

Since it is an unfurnished apartment, I had to buy a lot of stuff from IKEA. It is better to order stuff from IKEA online and schedule your delivery on the day you arrive. That worked for me like charm.


I will keep updating this post as and when I have new things to add/suggest/recommend.


All things written are solely based on my experience.

yamackadir

I just arrived, I'm moving into my rented house tomorrow. The first week I wasn't really very good trying everything is going better. I bought Annex49 waiting for the police check. This week has been very good and I am constantly learning something, I want to enroll in language school and improve myself more. I am constantly studying words in English and looking for a Dutch language school.

MidnightRogue

I moved last February 24 and now i'm married to my fiance and we're living with my in laws


They are very nice and warm people. I got my orange card first week of April and now i'm waiting for my interview for my dutch lessons


Weather is unpredictable but I'm enjoying life here

nabilaaa98

Hi, I moved to Belgium on March 15. And I live with my husband in apartment in Brussels. In the very first week I tried to make an appointment to register our marriage. After that, I made another appointment to register my arrival in commune.

It takes few days until I get the appointment, and now I have my Id card.

Yassah E S Kollie

I moved here February 21,2022 .We are so happy to be together as one big family. We live in an apartment in Antwerp. My husband, daughter and I. "Still awaiting my ID card tho".

Yassah E S Kollie

@nabilaaa98 congratulations to you and your husband. I am sorry about the last time, I just saw your message. I was offline, didn't remember my password

Ade mary

I moved to to Belgium on the 23rd of March 2023. I live in Niel which is under Antwerp Region. It’s been cold but I’m adjusting to the weather and Environment. I’ve improved a bit in terms of Communication. Hello,Good morning, How are you, I’m fine. All with the help of my husband and family. We had appointment with the commune for registration which has been done and I was given an attest. I’m waiting for the politie residence check and after then we were told to come for my ID. Insurance is done, House Doctor registration is also done incase of illness. I haven’t been to all the cities but few I’ve been to is beautiful and I can say Belgium is a calm and great country.

Hanney Bustami

@nabilaaa98 wow, your process on getting the ID card was pretty quick. Did you come with D visa or Schengen visa ?.

Hanney Bustami

Our experience in getting accommodation and job were very varies and contradicted. My husband is from Nederland/ Rotterdam, he is working with job agency and his work place was far from BE, when we apply for house visit agency thru immo, some told us to send them the pay slip, and later they told us, the owner want the person with permanent job with company. and thru our friend, we get in touch with one private owner, and she was saying, as her mum had bad experience with Dutch that suddenly run away from their house and then didn't pay the rent. so and beside that, they see our condition will be looking for the job if we have to move to BE. no sustainable income. Luckily, our friend is moving to new house, and tell the landlord, the house rent will be continues by us, and they agree. for the job, if we don't have the BE address, its very hard to get it. Now with the new house. my husband can apply the job using BE address , and he start getting phone call for the job interview.

nabilaaa98

@Hanney Bustami yeah, less then a month I already get my F card. I came with visa D kak

yamackadir

Finding a home is hard work. On the first day, everything is very different, yes, there is a silence despite being alone. But I'm getting used to it. I am currently living in 1+1 and the houses need maintenance. On the first day there may be some fear. A week later my friend came and we were staying together so I didn't have a problem. Everything is going well.