Nine tips to stop bitching and start loving Belgium

“In Brussels people are interested in one another. That makes me happy.” 

Edmon Oude Elferink, Partner at the law firm CMS

Brussels and Belgium-bashing is a sport in the Brussels Bubble. But the more you complain, the more you start to believe your own story. Gareth Harding wrote an uplifting article in Politico with the title “How to fall in love with Belgium – a convert’s guide.” He admits he turned moaning about his adopted home into an art form. If he could become a Brussels-lover, so could you. In his article, he gives some pieces of advice, which I have followed myself.

1.     Accept Belgium for what it is, not what you want it to be

This is a good one. When you want to feel happier, stop com-paring yourself to your super-successful classmate who became a millionaire. You are much better off comparing yourself to the classmate that did not finish school and works at the counter of the local supermarket. It sounds cruel but it is remarkably effective. The same applies to your new host country. Stop comparing Belgium to places like Brazil and Bali. Instead, imagine your-self living in boring Luxembourg! (I know I will probably offend some people here who actually like Luxembourg − you can choose another country you don’t like.)

2.     Get to know the locals

It is weird to live in a country and not know any of your hosts. So, put in an effort to get to know them and you’ll discover that they’re pretty fun. Another advantage is that it also forces you to not talk about work, the latest promotion round at the Commission, or a new round of concours.

3.     Get involved

I volunteered to bartend at my son’s school’s “fancy fair”. I hadn’t realised that bartending could be such a stressful job! It felt like I hadn’t worked this hard in a decade. Despite the stress, though, it was an enjoyable experience. Obsessing over the size of the beer foam collar created a sense of camaraderie. Participating actively in the community you are part of is far better than just complaining from the sidelines. Trust me, you’ll feel much better for it.

4.     Keep calm and love the chaos

This one is not that easy. It still upsets me when I have the feeling that nothing can go smoothly in this country. While writing this book, I’ve wasted at least 1,000 euros on heater repairs. The guy came five times, each time with a new solution that failed. Eventually, I was so sick of it (and him) that I decided to buy a new heater. The same goes for my roof. It never leaked, but I was repeatedly advised to repair it. So, I did… only to find stains suddenly appearing on the walls after spending thou-sands on a new roof. In moments like these, I try to remember my mother’s motto: “Not perfect is good enough”.

5.     Belgium is a success story

Gareth is absolutely correct when he states that Belgium is not a failed state. In fact, in many respects, it’s a success story.

Belgium ranks among the richest, safest, and most prosperous nations globally. It holds the 14th position out of over 200 countries on the United Nations’ Human Development Index, sur-passing countries like the United States, Canada, Japan and France. Belgium has the highest tertiary education rate among all OECD countries, and its healthcare system is renowned as one of the best worldwide.

6.     Don’t limit yourself to Brussels

Most expats initially settle in the city centre, Ixelles, or Saint-Gilles. However, once they start families, many move to Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, or Auderghem. Few choose to live outside the city, fearing traffic congestion and being too far from friends. Yet, as a resident of a suburb in Wallonia, I enthusiastically recommend keeping an open mind. Prices are lower, the environment is greener, and life is less stressful. Moreover, the people are exceptionally welcoming. In fact, for the first time since moving to Belgium, we don’t feel like expats. Traffic congestion isn’t an issue either − just take the train, which is fast and comfortable.

7.     Use Brussels as a hub to explore the rest of Europe

Where else can you find a city so well connected to the rest of Europe? With the Thalys, you can reach Paris in just one and a half hours. You can enjoy your Heineken in Amsterdam within two hours, and the Eurostar whisks you off to London in the same timeframe. Moreover, Zaventem has excellent connections with the rest of Europe, and even Charleroi has transformed into a convenient airport offering affordable flights.

8.     Discover the cities of Flanders and the landscape of Wallonia

Many people complain about Belgium without truly exploring it. You have the right to complain, but only after you have given Belgium a fair chance to prove itself. Brussels, for example, is a beautiful city, but, with its hidden gems, requires exploring to appreciate it fully. This is not the case in cities like Bruges, Leuven, and Ghent, where the beauty is more evident. And please don’t forget Wallonia, which offers so much more than just the Ardennes. Cycle around Lake Genval or visit the monastery of Villers de la Ville, and a whole new world will un-fold before you. There is a reason why the wealthiest Belgians prefer to reside in Lasne (about half an hour from Brussels) rather than in “Mille Bruxelles”, as they call the heart of Brussels.

9.     Realise that in Belgium you live like a king

Let’s face it: unless perhaps you’re one of the top lobbyists, becoming a millionaire is unlikely. While you earn a very decent salary, it would only afford you a small apartment in cities like Amsterdam, Paris, or London. However, in Belgium, where the average salary is lower and housing prices are more reasonable, you can enjoy the same standard of living as the average millionaire in other capitals. Keep this in mind when you are chilling in your three-room apartment or townhouse. Moreover, there is a good choice of affordable restaurants, excellent health care, and no waiting lists for hospitals or daycare. Count your blessings.