Best Neighborhoods for Expats in Brussels

Brussels is home to many neighborhoods that appeal to international expats. If you’re moving for work, you’ve secured your offer, and now the next big step is finding the right place to call home.

But which Brussels neighborhood is the best fit for you?

Each postal code in the greater Brussels region offers a unique lifestyle, with varying housing options, commutes, local amenities, and social scenes. Whether you’re looking for a lively atmosphere, green spaces, or a home in Brussels with a strong expat community, this guide will help you decide.

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Saint Gilles 1060 (Parvis)

We’re partial to Saint-Gilles—after all, it’s home to Morton Place! But beyond that, it’s a top choice for expats who love a creative and vibrant atmosphere.

This neighborhood has a strong local feel, blending Art Nouveau architecture with a cool, bohemian vibe. You’ll find quirky cafés, vintage shops, independent art galleries, and buzzing cocktail bars, making it a great place for social and cultural life.

The Parvis de Saint-Gilles is the heart of the area, filled with cozy terraces and authentic brasseries. On Sundays, the Gare du Midi market offers fresh produce, international flavors, and a colorful shopping experience. Plus, with easy transport connections, Saint-Gilles is an excellent base for exploring Belgium and beyond.

For more of our tips on favourite cafés in St Gilles click here.

Ixelles 1050 (Chatelain, Flagey, Cimetière)

A large and diverse commune, Ixelles is popular with expats, families, and students alike.

You’ll be spoiled for choice, between the trendy neighborhood of Châtelain or Flagey, with its freshwater ponds, historic abbey, and beautiful green spaces of Bois de la Cambre.

Not to mention the buzzy Chaussée d’Ixelles—which includes the African quarter of Matongé and the charming St. Boniface square, just steps away from bustling Avenue Louise and Place Stefanie. Further afield, the upper Boondael district and Cimetière neighborhoods cater to a diverse student community.

Ixelles offers some of Brussels’ best restaurants, bars, and specialty shops. With its mix of apartments, maison des maître, and shared homes, there’s a housing option for everyone. Plus, public transport makes it easy to get around.

This commune hosts several weekly food markets, including Châtelain on Wednesday, Place Luxembourg on Thursday, and Flagey on Saturday & Sunday.  Housing options include a mix of apartments, shared homes, and some of the city’s most traditional & elegant maison des maître.

Read about our favorite Chatelain market stall tips here.

Brussels 1000 (European Quarter, Avenue Louise, Historic Center)

If you’re considering a home in postal code 1000, check the exact location—it covers a lot of ground!

Some Brussels neighborhoods are neatly contained—but one look at a map of Brussels is all it takes to see that the “City of Brussels” is not among them. 

Winding wildly from the north to south of the city, this district spans from the historic center (which includes the elegant Grand Place and hipster Dansaert neighborhood), down along Avenue Louise, out to the Bois de la Cambre, up to Laeken—where the Royal family lives—and even reaches the European Quarter, with its stately Parliament and EU institutions.

Generally, most expats choose to live closer to the shopping, bars, and cultural opportunities near the Louise and EU areas—or even find themselves in the heart-of-downtown near Avenue Dansaert and the historic center. 

So when you see postal code 1000 on a prospective apartment or house, make sure you determine exactly where you’ll be on this Brussels continuum!