Just arrived and are looking for a house or been here a while and fancy a change of scenery, Expatica's updated guide is for you.

Antwerp

There is a well-sized population of British and American families living here; plus there is an international school and a good choice of English-speaking clubs and societies. Add to that the fact that the majority of Flemish speakers speak English, and Antwerp becomes an attractive place to settle.

Most families tend to live in the north of the city with its residential flavour and gardened houses. The single expat tends to live in the midst of it all in beautiful, if expensive, apartments.

Up and coming areas include the redeveloped museum area ('t Zuid) and parts of Berchem with its grand Art Nouveau houses and slightly bohemian feel. The urban set favour apartments in the area known as St Andries, between the river and Nationalestraat.

Gent

The most popular places for expats to live in the centre of town are Muinparkwijk with its affordable houses and gardens, and Coupure, full of old houses and with a delightful river running through its midst.

Many families make the decision to live outside of the city limits in the surrounding villages, where they can enjoy a rural lifestyle with space for the kids and easy access to the city.

Genval

This commune outside of Brussels Region is a village in its own right and is a French-speaking enclave in the Flemish belt.

The most expensive part to live in is down by the lake with its Geneva-style water spout, water sports facilities and five-star hotel. Genval is just a 20-minute train journey into Brussels centre, so it is ideal commuting territory.

Liège

The centre has a good stock of apartment buildings, and expats tend to gather around a cluster of streets including boulevards Frère Oban and Piercot, Le Mont St-Martin, Botanique and Les Terrasses.

Suburban living includes the university area of Le Sart Tilman and also Cointe and Embourg.

Tervuren

This is real country living at the edge of Brussels, with its great park surrounding the Africa Museum and The British School at its heart.

Houses are expensive but big with acres of land and a real sense of owning your own patch. You'd need a car to live here, but it's at the end of one of the world's most beautiful tram-lines. Tervuren is best suited to families as life here is rather quiet. 

Waterloo

Waterloo is popular for its self-containment, meaning there is no need to drive in and out of Brussels whenever you need anything. There is a whole raft of international schools here, a good high street of shops and clusters of big out-of-town shopping centres.

It has become particularly popular with Americans and Scandinavians. Housing tends to be big with ample land.

(expatica June 2008)