Searching for Accommodation in Belgium

Back again with an INFO blog.

After the huge success hit rate of my blog Searching for Accommodation in NYC, I wanted to blog my experiences about the same in Belgium (Brussels to be specific). The other blog had a whooping number of hits and even now, atleast 3 or 4 everyday (thanks to google search).

Its almost time that I am returning (in 3 weeks from now) to India and then (after my wedding) back to Brussels on a long term (tentative plan). So, I have been into looking out for accommodation if I have to return. Coz now I'm sharing a house with a frnd of mine (Whom I found thru orkut). So, here I'm trying to give some pointers to find some accommodation for you when you are anytime wanting to stay here on work (not for vacations).

When I was chosen to be travelling to Brussels on an assignment, I started to look out for accommodation. By experience, I wanted to first check out any help from google search. Nothin specific it returned except for some serviced apartments which are quite costly.

Coz I was travellin for a short stay of like 8 weeks, it was best that I could find some shared accommodation(for savings as well as for other reasons say cooking/roaming around).

Next, I wanted to try some references. I mailed all my pals and wanted to see if any of them returned any references. Sriharsha did. He referred me to Ashwin (student at Leuven). But hard luck!! Ashwin had his exams schedule soon, so he helped me with some stuff online and I too did not wanna disturb him coz of his exams.

Last, I wanted to give a shot on orkut community before I finalise on some hotel for my entire stay or chose a serviced apartment for my stay. I left some scraps on the Indians in Belgium community on Orkut. I guess my star shined there and in jus 3 days, I had a couple of mails and I started to interact with them over mails.

Its history now, tat I found a reference thru orkut (Thanks a ton to ORKUT) and now I know quite a bit of Brussels/Belgium to atleast refer people to the right places for information.

So here goes the the meat of the BLOG..

1. If you are travelling single and for a short stay: Search on orkut for someone whom you could share accommodation with. If not them exactly, there are loads of Indians here who are not on Orkut, so atleast they would spread the word and it will surely be useful. If you do not find anyone then Hotel is the only choice and hope tat you will get someone to share the hotel as its quite costly here. Unless you are coming on a work permit and can afford to take the lease for atleast 6 months, you cannot rent a house other than ofcourse serviced apartments which is a good choice. Check for City Flats in Belgium and they are quite OK for the money that you give.

2. If you are travelling with a family and long stay(min 6 months): I guess this can be comprehended with my previous point. You can rent a house.

So how do I find house rentals? Thats the major question to be answered in this blog!!

There are a couple of internet sites that showcase rental houses.

http://www.immoweb.be
http://www.vlan.be

You have the option of seeing the content in English too. So search for rentals specific to the post code that you wish to stay depending upon the location of your office. (FYI.. I stay in 1000 Brussels)

So, how do I know the travel and other things? This question is as important as the one before.

Brussels is well connected with Metro/Tram/Bus. You can find information about the routes on www.stib.be

When you look for rentals on the site, you could ask them the nearest Metro station and then you can figure out on the STIB connectivity map (click here for the link) and hook up a house for rent.

So, you found a house and then also the way you can get to office. Now, the next question. Food!!! Where do we find some shops to buy the daily groceries and provisions!! (What to do!! We Indians can survive without anything but for the Indian masalas)

Orkut community is the best believe me. Jus browse thru the topics that they have discussed and you will find everything. Right from where to buy Masalas to the Driving licenses. The people in the community are very approachable and any post that you put up, you can expect replies in a day (give them 2 days to reply for whole-a-lot of options) and then set you foot out to explore the needs on those grounds. Its all about experiences. Share information and get information. You get information; but it comes with a cost!! (sharing in this case)

I do not thing you will have any questions unanswered once when you go thru the posts in the orkut community. Be it gettin kids into school, procuring a driving license or jus planning an outing or jus a place to socialise (pubs n bars); you will find answers to them on the community.

Thanks to Atul Awasti for the noble idea of creating the community for sharing information!! Ofcourse, it goes without saying.. Thanks to everyone who is an active member of the community, sharing their experiences in Brussels and thus helping people!!

Anything else I forgot!!?? Yes!! The climate!! Climate in Brussels is usually wet and cold. Personally, where ever I travel, I prefer the www.accuweather.com site coz of its accurate weather forecast.

(Just a tip by experience)Plan your trip/appointments according to the weather to make sure you enjoy the trip/appointment in the best way naturally.

I'm actually thinking of coming up with a desi site for Belgium to help share rentals and information (Advertisement-free site). When I do, I will leave a comment on this blog or if you know of any, please leave a comment on my blog and the Orkut community, it will be of a lotta help!!

So!! Here you are prepared to take off to Brussels!!! Have a safe journey and a great time in Belgium!!

/Sriki