My husband is going to be taking a job at SHAPE. Does anyone know where and what kind of housing is provided with the stipend? Would it be in Mons? We are from NY (Upstate) and will be relocating in August...we are just trying to get some details. It will be my husband, myself and our two year-old. Any tips for living in Belgium? THANKS!

Expect any paperwork for visas, work permits and anything else official to take forever! Just for my identity card (which you have to keep on your person at all times), it would have taken them 6 months to make it if I hadn’t heckled the person in the commune. Without your ID card you can’t make you work visa and without that you can’t work. So be sure that you have a guarantee from the company that you will be covered the day you arrive! Have ALL the paperwork before hand!

Is your husband employed by a company, self employed or hired as nato civilian? The answers to almost all of your questions depend on the answer. If you are a contractor, self employed or otherwise, you are entitled to use the SHAPE housing office. You get to view the available properties and get on the list along with the other SHAPE folks. SHAPE will assist you with a translator if the landlord does not speak english. They will also assist with strict move in move out conditions to protect all parties involved. If you choose to use this service or not, the key is that despite what some folks will say, the amount of deposit is indeed negotiable as is the duration of the lease. If you don't speak French fluently, I'd highly recommend the housing office to you. Also, you should not look to live too far away. The commute isn't fun if you and the kids are home waiting and gas is 'shpensive' here. One neat trick is to book an apartment at the Best Western Lido or Casteau. They offer good deals on a monthly basis and can afford you some stress free house viewing.

We were at SHAPE betwen 03 and 04.

If your husband is GS, you will be looking for housing 'on the economy'. the LQA covers the costs and the choice is pretty good.

1st choice (for me) would be Casteau. (Where I used to live.)

If you look in the villages to the South-West, check what's near - there are a couple of very stinky factories to the SW, you don't want to be down-wind.

The house selection procedure is as follows:

1. You go to the housing office and look to see what's on the board. Choose a house which looks good, go inside and ask to make an appointment to see it.

(AFAIR, you can be on the list for 3 houses at any one time - that may have changed)

You get a key (or maybe even get somebody to show you around) then go and look at the house.

2. You decide whether you want it or not. if 'Aye' say so, if 'Nay' say so too - so it's open to other people.

You may find you are number 3 on the list. - That doesn't matter too much, because as everybody can be'on the list' for 3 houses at any one time, it may be that the 2 people ahead of you on thel ist choose other houses on their list.

You will find a house and there are some excellent properties. Don't take the first thing giong - you will be in TLQ which (although i's a bit of a pain in the butt - I hate TLQ) is actually quite comfortable and you're entitled to 90 days TLQ (the first offer is '30 days' but you're entitled to 90.)

(It shouldn't take anywhere near that long, btw.)

Make the most of your TQSE. It covers the costs and it's quite generous - try the local restaurants (they're not cheap - because of all the 'rich' Shapians, but they're good. - The 'O' club at Shape is fantastic, btw )

Living in Wallonia is a bit difficult for Americans (my wife is an American and she really didn't understand how people down there think ... quite natural to me and I didn't [at first] understnd her problems.

If you say to somebody: "Can I have so-and-so?" the answer will almost certanly be: "Ce ne'st pas possible!" or "Pas possible!"

(We went into the Belgacom office and my wife asked 'Can we have a phone?' -" 'Pas possible, madame!"

I chimed in: "When can we have a phone?" - "Trois jours, M'sieu."

logical, really. 'Can I have a phone connected? - Of course not! - we can't connnect the phone right now, can we? - but when can I have a phone connected gets a sensible answer.

'Quand' is a very important word. Use it. Every time you ask a question.

'Basic French' is certainly an advantage. Nobody will expect you to speak fluent French, but don't expect the locals to speak English. - Many can't and most of the rest don't want to. They will make allowances, however, and if you try (even if you mangle the language and really screw up (My wife wanted 'hot chocolate with cream' [chocolat chantilly] and asked for 'chocolat champignons' (chocolate with mushrooms). I was amazed and the waiter laughed - but she got a double-sized cup for trying

You'll enjoy your assignment at SHAPE.

Try to get your 2-yr old (and yourself) involved in the local community. Your child will learn French much more rapidly than you will, and the experience will stick. (I'm talkinmg from experience; I learned Swiss German when I was that ae; I forgot it, but when I came to learn German, it was remarkably easy ... and when I got excited, I spoke with a Swiss accent. You're going to be there (I assume) for 3 years. Let your child start kindergarten (age 4) and school in the Belgian system. It wl be an invaluable experience.

Your 5- yr old (by the time you leave) will speak fluent French.

There is a small (but pretty good) PX at Chièvres (the ASG which supports SHAPE) and a very adequate Commissary. You are entitled to (some) VAT (sales tax) exemptions (and Belgian sales tax is astronomical) but they're limited. Look into going to Germany to make major purchases (Ramstein - Huge BX- is 3-4 hours drive away.)

Many Americans I've met complain that dealing with people - particularly local nationals - in Belgium is difficult. It sems quite natural to me (but then, it would ) Don't expect to do anythng in a hurry - life's not like that. If it takes a little longer to get things done, so be it. - Nobody else is in a hurry, so don't get wound up if you are. Life in Wallonia is slow-paced (nobody's in a rush) and it's enjoyable. Kick back and relax! (everybody else will.)

Ifyou have any specific questions, send me a private message and include your e-mail (if you haven't got a local e-mail address, use your husband's AKO) - or contact me here.

BTW, you don't need to book into an hotel - you will get accommodation (TLQ) in the facility acros the road from SHAPE.