by David K.
Member since:
April 29, 2007

If it's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium - 2/26/08

February 26, 2008 10:53 AM EST (Updated: May 24, 2008 04:45 PM EDT)
views: 189 | rating: 10/10 (61 votes) | comments: 101

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends...(with apologies to Emerson, Lake and Palmer).

Well, sometimes it seems that way in my quest to move to my firm's Brussels office.  So many things to do.  One of which is find an apartment.  My criteria:

1) I can afford it AND still afford to eat at least once daily (not counting the beer, of course).

2) Keep me downtown, preferably within walking distance of the office, so I don't have to own a car (and find a place to park it and put up with Belgian drivers, which according to the Tips book are ranked amongst Europes worst).

3) Have enough room for me to have a guest room (for visitors) and some home office space for writing (and for posting my Gather "Tuesday" reports).

4) Close to the bars (one must have priorities)

Luckily my firm has been very accommodating (pun intended) about finding me an apartment.  Next week I will be in Brussels to find a place to live.  To help, my firm has hired a Relocation Service that will show me around to see some apartments meeting my specifications.  They will even help with negotiating the lease, getting the appropriate signatures, and finding light fixtures.  Yes, light fixtures.  While in the US the landlord is required to provide things like stoves, refrigerators, and light fixtures (bulbs and covers).  In Belgium apparently the more common situation is to arrive to find naked wires hanging out of the ceiling and walls (lovely). 

So my first stop may be to buy lights and a fridge.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post next Tuesday, though I plan to bring my lap top with me so will try.  I'll also try to get some photos of Brussels and my apartment choices.  For now, check out the images below for some of the options I've been able to dig up from the web.
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Comments: 101

Amy C. Feb 26, 2008, 10:57am EST
Good luck ! We lived in Germany for 3 years and finding a affordable apartment, close to the trains, and being able to eat was quite hard lol!

Nice pictures!
Paul M. Feb 26, 2008, 11:00am EST
Looks better than my place in the States.
Vivian P. Feb 26, 2008, 11:01am EST
I am sure you will find a nise place to live. I like a place with lots of windows.
Richard Frisbie Feb 26, 2008, 11:03am EST
The web choices look good - I think I even saw a light fixture! Good luck with the move.
Diana R. Feb 26, 2008, 11:04am EST
I like the pictures! I love the spiral staircase too. Good luck! I've never been overseas, but I hear it's not really cheap to live there unless you can live within your means. I'm sure you'll be fine David. You seem like a real smart guy and know what you want out of life. Good Luck! Thanks for sharing. Hope someone from that area can help you find a nice place you can afford.
Curt L. Feb 26, 2008, 11:05am EST
Thank you, David! Sending a 10 your way!
Dawn V. Feb 26, 2008, 11:08am EST
Wow! I love the look of that very old looking building from the outside, but then I see the very modern looking apartments, and think those would be much more comfortable than living in an old building. If you can find an old building with a modern apartment, I would go for that one! :)
Erin P. Feb 26, 2008, 11:09am EST
The choices you've shown from the web look promising. You get to choose from modern to historic to view-of-the-alleyway. I guess it ultimately depends on location, price, and your lifestyle. Good luck - it may take time, but I'm sure you'll find a place you like!
Jennifer Kirkpatrick Feb 26, 2008, 11:16am EST
Hey, thanks for sharing David. Glad I could finally make it over here to see what these titles were all about! The first place gives me a very dark feeling. The second place seems too...too much like being in an office? But that's just ME! Good luck to you!
Lance L. Feb 26, 2008, 11:16am EST
Pic 1: Love it - any place that allows me so many options to look down on others is worth considering.
Pic 2: Hate it, then again I've always hated the Modern and Post-Modern movement.
Pic 3: Good for monkeys not for a morning rush - it's a knee banger.
Pic 4: Like it - nice studio and a great view.
Pic 5: Hmmm, seems like I've seen this one used for Soap Operas or was it porn?
Pics 6 and 7: It always makes me sad when I see the old world architecturen succumbing to new world habitation.

Good luck on the home hunt. You have an unenviable task in an enviable environment.
Jennifer Kirkpatrick Feb 26, 2008, 11:17am EST
I love those doors and the beautiful sunset color in that living room, though! That's quite nice.
Emma L. Feb 26, 2008, 11:17am EST
They all look great!
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 11:19am EST
Based just on the fact that the dollar is weak and the Euro is currently strong, the costs will be much higher. The Euro was about equal to a dollar when it was introduced, now it's more like 1 Euro to 1.45 dollars. Ugh.

I'm worried about the size of the rooms, since most of what I've seen in Europe is tiny compared to the US. But the relocation service told me I shouldn't have any trouble finding a place that is big enough for my king size bed. (woo hoo)
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Feb 26, 2008, 11:19am EST
Take care of you...
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Feb 26, 2008, 11:19am EST
Some lovely choices...
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Feb 26, 2008, 11:21am EST
Less should definitely be a Quality more... lol...
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Feb 26, 2008, 11:22am EST
wishing you laughter

..
U
Sarah (is happy to be near a T.V.) G. Feb 26, 2008, 11:23am EST
Some of these places look REALLY nice. I also spotted a light fixture, but no fridge to be seen! Good luck on your quest for an apartment!
Alison H. Feb 26, 2008, 11:25am EST
Good luck in your search
Susan Sparkman Feb 26, 2008, 11:25am EST
David, this is so exciting! The places you posted look terrific.
Please do take pictures of your top three and at the end of the week, post them in an article asking us to vote (giving our reasons in our comments) on the one you should take.

After the voting is over, reveal your choice and why you went with it....like that show on HG channel ~ Househunters!!

You could even post video walk-throughs of the top three...oh, I love it...
Jennifer F. Feb 26, 2008, 11:33am EST
I'm so jealous! You should try to get one of those apartments that have a giant courtyard in the back.
A. Foster T. Feb 26, 2008, 11:41am EST
Lovely pictures. The most I've seen of Belgium is the interior of the Brussles airport on a stop over to Italy. Have fun. The pictures are lovely. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to send your Gather firends lots of pictures.
sheila h. Feb 26, 2008, 12:14pm EST
Interesting the old and new architecture mix..reminds me of some of our larger older cities in the US.
good luck with your new diggs..i don't get that electric fixture thing!
penny burnor Feb 26, 2008, 12:26pm EST
good luck david
Clare K. Feb 26, 2008, 12:52pm EST
Great article David
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 1:04pm EST
Susan - what a great idea. I will take pictures of my options and post them so people can vote. I need all the help I can get.

I'm not sure if I'll go old-school European or modern...I suppose it will depend on what the apartments look like when I get there. But I definitely want to have some room...and windows are a must!
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 1:06pm EST
You're right - theres is a light fixture (or even two). There's hope yet for a refrigerator. :)
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 1:11pm EST
Lance - I agree with you on the photo with the spiral staircase. At first it looked quaint, but now it's starting to make me a little claustrophobic.

I'm leaning toward something like the one with big floor area and lots of windows (and it looks like a balcony).
Danielle P. Feb 26, 2008, 1:34pm EST
These places look spectacular!! I do hope you find something com probable. Have fun and take pictures for all of us!!
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 1:40pm EST
I'll take lots of pictures of my options so you can help me pick a nice place (and of course, you'll all be invited to the open house).
Sharon P. Feb 26, 2008, 2:01pm EST
Haven't been to Germany since 1955, so all has probably changed a lot.
We loved our visit. My cousin Doris and her family were based at Frankfort Army Base.
The Black Forest is gorgeous if you haven't seen it, do.
Mary Ann S. Feb 26, 2008, 2:09pm EST
Thanks for sharing. Teading this and looking at the pictures, I can feel I was there - almost. UI am not much of a traveler.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 2:15pm EST
Julie - I'll make sure the guest room is top notch just for you!

I really have to secure an apartment next week so I can move there by April 1. Though in thinking about it I realize my furniture, etc. being shipped won't get there for a while after that. Better have my firm ship over some clothes and a sleeping bag to get me by.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 2:18pm EST
Sharon - Every time the subject of my move comes up, my Dad says "You know, I was in France and Germany. But it was mostly rubble then." Yes Dad, but that was in 1945. Since then they have actually picked up all those bricks and made them back into houses and other buildings.

So my plan is to give them a tour of France and Germany as soon as I get over there and can arrange it. I think they'll be impressed.
blaine d. Feb 26, 2008, 2:39pm EST
great looking apartment, as for beer i belong to amazingclubs
Kay M. Feb 26, 2008, 2:39pm EST
The ones in the photos look great. Good luck.
Sherwood M. Feb 26, 2008, 2:40pm EST
Love the New York Brownstone feeling of that first picture!

Good luck in Belgium...now, can you send me some CHOCOLATES?
Regina L. Feb 26, 2008, 2:42pm EST
great article and good luck
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 2:53pm EST
Okay, seems there are lots of folks looking for chocolates. Besides all the people in my DC office, I can now add Sherwood to the list. Anyone else? I need to figure out how big a shipping container I need to get it all back here (perhaps one of those big, semi-trailer sized ones will do...well, maybe two).
Tami A. Feb 26, 2008, 3:27pm EST
Good Luck!
Billie H. Feb 26, 2008, 4:16pm EST
Very nice good luck and thank you for sharing.
Nancy S. Feb 26, 2008, 4:27pm EST
Hope you can send lots of pictures. The day I spent there wasn't nearly enough. 2 or 3 semis sounds about right. The chocolate is amazing.
Georgiana S. Feb 26, 2008, 4:30pm EST
How organized!
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 4:32pm EST
Georgiana - Well that's a word I don't often hear in relation to my name (without a "not" in front of it). LOL.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 4:33pm EST
Okay, chocolate for Nancy.

I have a friend who has already put in a standing order for 1 ton of chocolate. Not the different kinds of chocolate might make an interesting "If It's Tuesday..." post. Hmm.
Zara' N. Feb 26, 2008, 5:12pm EST
Quite a variety of options... that's what they put on the internet...wait for reality and don't forget your camera!

Z'
Diana Raabe Feb 26, 2008, 5:22pm EST
Hey, David - looks awesome!
Eleventh Hour Messengers (EHM) Feb 26, 2008, 5:23pm EST
Great pics of the pad!
René Allen Feb 26, 2008, 5:36pm EST
Wow David ~ This is GREAT! I'll be back this evening to really look this over.

Blessings,
Rene A.
Jerri H. Feb 26, 2008, 5:53pm EST
Great shots....thanks David~
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 7:04pm EST
Zara - I'm definitely bringing my camera. In fact, I think I'm going to take photos of my furniture so I can envision how they might fit in the apartments as I'm looking at them.
Karen A. Feb 26, 2008, 7:55pm EST
I love how you are documenting this adventure! Great photos too!
Kathryn W. Feb 26, 2008, 8:53pm EST
very nice place.
Nancy 67 Feb 26, 2008, 9:16pm EST
Love that peachy/orange room with the white couch! Very warm and inviting. Good Luck with your search and lighting fixtures! ;-D
Mary M. Feb 26, 2008, 9:25pm EST
Your place looks very nice. Good for you! Thanks for the update.
JoAnn C. Feb 26, 2008, 9:27pm EST
looks like some nice places you found on line already. that's great your company is hooking you up with a relocation service. good luck apartment hunting next week
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 9:50pm EST
Karen - Yes, I'm enjoying this. It's like having an online journal (for better or for worse). :)
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 9:51pm EST
Mary - not my place yet...these are just some of the places I found online. But I'll be taking photos of the ones they show me next week and I'll be sure to post them.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 9:52pm EST
JoAnn - the company has been pretty good about helping me. They do want me to be happy (and successful, which is good for them).
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 9:52pm EST
Nancy - I'm not sure about the peach, but I do like the doors and the fireplace (assuming it is a real fireplace).
Anne M. Feb 26, 2008, 10:27pm EST
Good luck, David. Apartments that meet your criteria are quite pricey.

lovely apartment pics.
t b. Feb 26, 2008, 10:40pm EST
The outside of the second one looks like a prison.
Good luck in your search and have a safe trip.
Charli Mills Feb 26, 2008, 10:43pm EST
Look like you have some nice choices.
Mary S. Feb 26, 2008, 10:51pm EST
If you have enough light, you can grow some of your own food. Some things are gorgeous as well as delicious, far better than growing house plants you can't eat.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 11:08pm EST
Anne - I'm worried about the prices. But I guess I'll find out next week.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 11:11pm EST
Mary - Great idea to grow some veggies and herbs. I'll need to watch my costs, plus it'll be healthier. I'll keep that in mind as I look around.
David K. Feb 26, 2008, 11:12pm EST
Terry - I didn't notice that before...but I think you're right.
ness m. Feb 27, 2008, 9:03am EST
You will have to like stairs Holland and Belguim apartments tend to be narrow with steep stairs esp the older properties.
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 9:05am EST
Ness - that's what I've heard. I guess I'll find out next week what my choices are.
esteban g. Feb 27, 2008, 9:23am EST
mayonaise, fried taters, mussels, beer
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 9:47am EST
Esteban - I'm definitely going to be into the mussels and beer. The mayonaise on the fried taters is going to take some getting used to.
Rico V. Feb 27, 2008, 10:17am EST
Lovely places! I vote for a LOCATION with great public transportation (tram/metro/bus, even near the train) as a real priority. And, close to the office would be primo! I spent some time in Zaventem and Brussels, and if I didn't have a vehicle I would've gone nuts, because of my location.
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 10:47am EST
Thanks Rico. I'm definitely shooting for a place where I can walk and/or tram/metro to work. I just don't want the expense and hassle of a car, though lately I've been thinking I might opt for a motorbike.
Cristina S. Feb 27, 2008, 12:56pm EST
good luck!
Tina Coruth Feb 27, 2008, 12:58pm EST
Wonderful photos! They all look good. Good luck!
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 1:25pm EST
I was very encouraged by the photos I found online. Hopefully I'll still feel that way next week.
Jaime R. Feb 27, 2008, 1:43pm EST
I wish you well! Some of the pics looks great!
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 1:55pm EST
Hopefully I'll have a lot of choices.
necee t. Feb 27, 2008, 1:59pm EST
wow, David... it's really interesting... nice pictures...
hope you find just what you want .... with money to spare...
Blessings always...

Girly Comments & Graphics
Debra C. Feb 27, 2008, 2:15pm EST
I haved some friends who just switched apartments in Moscow. They had to move kitchen cabinets, too. Do your's come installed?
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 3:16pm EST
Debra - I hadn't even thought of that. I hope so. I guess I'll find out next week.
Ruthe M. Feb 27, 2008, 3:25pm EST
Hey! Wishing you well! I loved the pictures!

Hey, does this mean I may not get my Abraham Lincoln quote!!!!!
David K. Feb 27, 2008, 4:02pm EST
Hmm...good question. Abe may have to take a brief hiatus. At the very least he may be on a weird schedule since Brussels is 6 hours ahead of my usual time in Washington DC.
esteban g. Feb 27, 2008, 7:09pm EST
It is the only place I've been where beer is served at a MDonald.

They say that in the Netherlands everything is legal..but nothing is possible; conversely in Belgium, nothing is legal, but everything is possible..
Chas Andrews Feb 27, 2008, 8:51pm EST
wow. cool pics, man. thanks for the article!
Shirl T. Feb 28, 2008, 12:45am EST
wow thats really nice good luck
Lisa "Queen Wombat" F. Feb 28, 2008, 2:05am EST
Nicer than my Shack By the Sea, that's for sure!
David K. Feb 28, 2008, 7:49am EST
Thanks
David K. Feb 28, 2008, 7:51am EST
Esteban - Really? I'll have to check it out.
esteban g. Feb 28, 2008, 8:04am EST
Things may have changed with the EU, but in the early 90's..yes...I'm not a big fan...but went for a warm coffee and was startled.
Jane C. Feb 28, 2008, 9:28am EST
Whoa! Nice pics
Jessica I. Feb 28, 2008, 3:11pm EST
Absolutely love it. Very nice place.
David K. Feb 28, 2008, 3:21pm EST
These photos are of at least 3 places that I found on the web. I'll have my own photos of potential places next week.
Victoria H. Feb 28, 2008, 5:23pm EST
Good luck! The photos shown appear to be pretty decent places. I'm curious if they'll actually look like that in person though! : )

Thanks for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
David K. Feb 28, 2008, 7:57pm EST
Victoria - yes, I've been wondering what they'll look like in real life too.
Sophiya S. Feb 28, 2008, 10:22pm EST
kool
David K. Feb 29, 2008, 8:26am EST
I leave tomorrow and meet with the relocation experts first thing Monday morning, so we'll see how it goes.
Karolyn Q. Mar 14, 2008, 8:49pm EDT
Nice photos of the apartments. California was the only place I have lived that when I rented I had to have my own refrigerator. I never heard of such a thing but apparently they get stolen alot when people move out.
David K. Mar 14, 2008, 8:57pm EDT