Brussels City

If living in the thick of it all is irresistible then downtown is the place for you. In recent years, previously run-down parts of the centre have become a magnet for the young professional with major renovations and industrial spaces coming up for rent or sale.  Much sought after areas are St Géry, Ste Catherine and the rue Antoine Dansaert area leading up to the canal.

The Marolles is becoming increasingly popular with a young urban set.  The Sablon and Louise are fabulously upmarket but that is naturally reflected in price. Up and coming are the streets around the main boulevard leading down to Gare du Midi, with many old properties ripe for development and still at attractive prices.

Etterbeek

Best known for the area at the top end of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, Etterbeek is filled with attractive streets of early 20th century town houses. It is home to many European institutions and has fantastic public transport facilities. Its relatively cheap housing prices, with good availability of houses and apartments, mostly in conversions, make it particularly attractive.

Ixelles/Elsene

Wildly popular with the expatriate community, Ixelles is a massive commune with character and style. It falls into distinct areas: trendy Châtelain with its café culture, the leafy ponds and abbey area leading down to the Bois de la Cambre; buzzy chaussée d'Ixelles which takes in the Matongé, the African quarter, and the cemetery with its late-night bars and student population. Through it all runs Avenue Louise with its upmarket shops and restaurants. The housing stock tends to be large townhouses and desirable apartment conversions, but you'll certainly pay for them.

St-Gilles/Sint-Gillis

St Gilles is a favourite among those expats who like to live as locals. From the top end, with its grand Art Nouveau houses, down to the earthy Gare du Midi, St Gilles is packed with quirky restaurants, shops and a buzzing nightlife. You are most likely to find a bargain place to live here, especially if you buy, as it is one of Brussels' most dynamic areas with a definite future as both expats and locals become more attracted to its enigmatic character.

Uccle/Ukkel

This is a beautiful and calm commune with huge houses and upmarket apartment blocks. Popular with expat families, it is well located for shops and schools. It is probably Brussels' most leafy commune with the Forest of Soignes, and housing surrounded by large gardens. The international community here is huge.

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre/
Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

This is often the choice of folk working at the European institutions, both for its proximity and its affordable housing. It's almost self-contained with its massive park, sports centre and public amenities. It's also on the metro line 1B, giving easy public transport access.

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert/
Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe

Saint-Pierre's next-door neighbour shares much the same attractions, including the huge Woluwe Shopping Centre. As it is a step further out from the centre it begins to get even more suburban and green and is within good striking distance of the airport and major international motorways.

Brussels communes:
Anderlecht        02 558 0800
Auderghem         02 676 4811
Brussels City        02 279 2211
Etterbeek        02 627 2111
Forest             02 370 2211
Hoeilaart        02 658 2840
Ixelles             02 515 6111
Kraainem         02 719 2040
Overijse         02 687 6040
Rhode-Saint-Genese    02 380 2040
Rixensart         02 634 2121
Saint Gilles        02 536 02 11
Saint Josse        02 220 2611
Schaerbeek        02 244 75 11
Tervuren         02 769 2011
Uccle             02 348 6511
Waterloo         02 352 9811
Watermael-Boitsfort     02 674 7411
Wezembeek-Oppem     02 783 1211
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert     02 761 2711
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre     02 773 0511