Want to know where to party in Brussels or which bars or restaurants to visit in Ghent? Here are some more of your tips for living in Belgium.

A great website for parties in Brussels

www.brusselssucks.be

They feature all the coolest alternative party and art events happening in Brussels: Electronic music parties, concerts not be missed, Art gallery opening, restaurants, Top five terraces in Brussels, etc…

They feature the hippest and hardest to find places to eat and drink. If you sign up to their newsletter, you will receive a 'tongue in cheek' to-do list every week with what you must do to avoid Brussels to suck.

A precious source of information for young, active and outgoing expats who want to live to the max in this vibrant city. Also a good way to discover the less obvious places and the underground funky crowd of Brussels.

 Enjoy!

Sandrine

Going out in Gent

Restaurants:

Amadeus
Plotersgracht 8, Gent

In my opinion the place where you can eat the best ribs ever at affordable prices - the
sauce is unique - for around EUR 15 - EUR 25 per person.

Bars:

De Geus van Gent
Kantienberg 9, Gent

De Geus van Gent

A special cafe that lies hidden away in a back street in the city of Gent, very close to the
kinepolis movie theatre. I like this place for its unique decoration, very charming owner, and the speicial beers it has - and the atmosphere of course!

Cheers,
Luis Urquiza

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Great Irish bar in Ghent

Patrick Foley's

Recollettenlei 10
B 9000 Gent

Patrick Foley's is the best possible example of the Irish pub abroad, in fact it would not be out of place in the streets of Dublin or Cork. Service is excellent and the food is democratically priced - and there's lots of it. And, as if that's not enough, it's located in Gent, a gem of a little town only half an hour's breathing space from Brussels.

www.foleys.be

Paul Morrison

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Buying a house

Your feature on buying a house in Belgium lacks the following relevant information:

1. If you are buying a house and you do not own any other properties (anywhere in the world) you get a rebate on the registration tax.

2. The use of mortgage brokers is quite normal in Belgium, they help you find the best loan that you qualify for. However, if you are a "strong" borrower and a bit of a negotiator you can probably negotiate better rates yourself.

3. Belgian banks are quite conservative, and some can be reluctant to lend money to expats with temporary contracts.

(Name withheld)

Note from the editor:

Thank you. We've added this information to our article on buying a house in Belgium

 http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=970

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Where to shop

I'm surprised that you don't mention Colruyt in your supermarkets list.  It consistently has the best prices, has a wide range of organic goods and has an ethical sourcing policy re produce air miles and levels of chemiclas used in production.It may not be glamorous but it is excellent for the basics.

Not all Delhaize stock exotic items but there are ethnic stores and markets that do and they're much more fun than Delhaize.

Nor does there seem to be any mention of the excellent local bakers and patissiers found all over Belgium - one of the perks (or perils for the weight conscious) of living here surely?

Regards,

Sarah Dudfield

Message from the editor:

Thanks Sarah,

I've added Colruyt to our list of useful shopping sites:
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=41&story_id=9104

13 November 2006

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