I have been offered two jobs, one in Bruxelles the other in Amsterdam. While I should be happy with two offers, I find it excruciatingly difficult to make a decision... I visited both cities and loved them both, Bruxelles for its cuisine and relative tranquility, Amsterdam for its liberal attitude and energy.

My only concern is that living in Amsterdam I will have a very difficult time learning the language, while in Bruxelles I could use my French skills.

I am supposed to make a decision within the next couple of days, so I'd really appreciate any genuine insight, personal experience about living in either city.

cheers!

I never lived in Amsterdam so I'm not in the position to say whether it's a better place than Brussels or not. But I've been living in Brussels for many, many years now and I'm still loving it. Belgium is the world's food paradise and Brussels is its capital. Brussels is probably one of the few cities where one can just randomly choose a restaurant and never leave disappointed. Though definately a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, Brussels seems to have a better balance between work and leisure. I mean, like in every Western city the rat race is there, but less omnipresent. The Belgians seem to realise that there's more in life than work and understand the art of joie de vivre. Because more than 2000 international organisations have their headquaters in Brussels (among them of course the EU and NATO), there's a large international community which makes the place very cosmopolitan and boosting with energy. Though the Dutch are famous for their liberal attitude, I'd say the Belgians are at least equally tolerant. "Live and let live" is this counry's motto. And of course there's the language issue: French is the lingua franca, but almost everyone speaks some kind of English (going from "Leasten verrry cèèrrrrfullie, I will onlie zay zis onze" to the purest Queen's English). And if you're a real die hard you can still give Dutch a try...

Well, I hope I've been some of a help. If you do choose Brussels, these are the nicer areas:
1. if you like the brustling city life: Quartier Dansaert, Quartier de la Madeleine, Grand Sablon, Quartier Louise, Ixelles or Etterbeek (rue des Tongres)
2. if you prefer a more settled down and residential area with lots of green, then go for Uccle, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Auderghem or Watermael-Boitsfort. All are nice affluant communes at a stone's throw from the city centre!

Not so nice areas: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Anderlecht (Cureghem), Schaerbeek, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and the neighbourhood around the Gare du Midi...

For more info on Brussels and its residential areas:
http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/en/region/.../communes.shtml

Thanks for your thoughtful response quickie, I have looked into the different neighborhoods in Bruxelles and think I'd be happy to live in St-Gilles or Ixelles. The job in Bruxelles is at the European Commission and I believe both places are a fairly easy commute. Do you reckon that I could bike to work? Or would you recommend taking the mass trans?

You've been offered a job at the EU? Wow, they're one of the most well sought after jobs in Europe! I heard from a friend who works there that it's a great experience.

Ixelles is very nice (I live there too 8) ), though these days real estate prices and rents have been roaring (to Belgian standards, of course; compared to London or Paris, prices in Ixelles are peanuts). Saint-Gilles could therefore be a more affordable alternative. The commune has very nice neighbourhoods, though I would avoid the direct area around the Gare du Midi.

From both Ixelles and Saint-Gilles the European institutions are easily accessible by public transport (the "métro" takes you right to the rue de la Loi where the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament have their seats). On a sunny day you can even walk from Ixelles to the European district. I guess you could go by bike, but Brussels doesn't really have the same cycling culture as Amsterdam does. The good news is that the Brussels Regional Government has been investing in better cycling amenities and that things are slowly but surely changing. But compared to Amsterdam, we're not quite there yet... Also take in mind that while Amsterdam is as flat as a pancake Brussels is rather hilly, which makes it less inviting to cyclists. You'll find more info on http://www.bicycle.irisnet.be/index_en.htm

Brussels is a bigger city, with probably more to do too (restaurants, events, cultural life). I wouldn't want to live in Amsterdam. I think it's nice for a few days, but it must be tiring to live there all the time.

Why don't you just decide based on the type of job... coz that's what you'll be doing in any of those cities... working.

*****

Well, you have probably already decided by now, but for my 2 cents, here are my thoughts:

I spend half my time living in Brussels and the other half, in A'dam. I know that sounds strange, but that's the way it is. I can appreciate both cities but they seem incredibly different to me. As you said, I really like the liberal attitude in A'dam and there is always something going on within the city, which is made up of soooo many different areas, with many good restaurants, ethnic especially. I have never needed to know Dutch there as almost all the Dutch speak English (unlike in Brussels where many do not, especially in the French areas). I also like the walking and biking that is a way of life in A'dam; walking and biking (biking particularly) in Brussels, however, is pretty nonexistent - you're taking your life in your hands trying to bike, for sure, in Brussels. Drivers here are very impatient and honk constantly at the slightest inconvenience or hesitation. You must drive defensively in Brussels every second or you will be sideswiped or banged into. My advice: buy a GPS Tomcat immediately if you're driving in Bru.

The beer, bread, and chocolates are better in Brussels (with the exception of Puccini's in A'dam - yum) but I like the cheese better in A'dam. I find Brussels a bit lackluster overall - pretty much gray and concrete and it rains all the time. Sure, there are lots of bars and cultural events, much like most big cities. Also, Belgians seem to really love musical affairs and there are lots of happenings around Grand Place and the Sablon. The park at Turveren is great for walking and biking, as well. I think cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Brugge are wonderful and I really prefer going there overall to being in Brussels on a daily basis. It is much more calm in Brussels as it doesn't have the vibrant beat that A'dam has, but you also have more variety of items available to you in groceries and common household item. For instance, if you live near the center in A'dam, it's really hard to buy simple household furnishings, like a lawn chair or lamp or other things I'm used to having. The Dutch don't seem to spend anything on what they consider frivolous items - you never see spas or easier commodities - drives me crazy. Then again, there are wonderful cities around A'dam as well - the Hague, Utrecht, Haarlem, etc.

Good luck in your decision making. I don't think you could go wrong with either; however, the rents are cheaper in Brussels. And, it's only 3 hrs by train to either city - live in one and visit the other.

I agree - Amsterdam is a nice play to visit but I wouldn't fancy living there... saying that - I don't like Brussels much either! but I don't live there and visit only rarely.. I like living in Belgium though

Actually, I spend a lot of time in A'dam and am there right now. I absolutely love Amsterdam and I almost can't imagine anyone not loving living here. There is a sense of serenity about this beautiful sunny, warm place that you definitely can't get in Brussels, where it is gloomy, cloudy, or rainy most the time. When it's yukky in Brussels, the sun is shining here. You can walk everywhere here (or bike), sit by the canals, and wander into many of the wonderful shops or outdoor cafes that are all about - and I'm not talking about the touristy souvenir shops. I have found the Dutch to be quite nice and friendly and, thankfully, they almost all speak English quite fluently. You occasionally have some rude encounter, but that happens on occasion in Brussels or anywhere else. Spending equal time in both cities, I can tell you that while there is much to recommend Brussels, it is not in the same league with A'dam - not by a mile - in terms of high quality of life. Truth is: the Dutch and their visitors know this is a little jewel and they keep it clean and safe, which is more than one can say about Brussels. If you're not fixated on roaming up and down the RLD doing the tourist thing, A'dam is a wonderful place with terrific food and fun things to do, and I love it.

I watch the weather forecast everyday and there isn't usually much difference between Brussels and Amsterdam (or even Paris and London). A few years ago Belgium was a famously cloudy place, but since last year we have had incredibly sunny and warm weather. 40 days without rain (and almost without cloud) around April this year ! Global warming at its best. :wink:

I think Amsterdam is more interesting if someone is a Gay or Lesbian, from these you will find a lot. When I worked near Rotterman, I think arround
25 percent of the men where gays .

A few of the gays made carrier, promoted from other gays or women who
prefer gays because they are easy too handle.

result: if you are a gay go the Amsterdam, if not , Brussels

Ah, right, that is why I didn't quite get the attractivity of Amsterdam...

this is funny point, haha

Ever been to Antwerp? For me it's even better than Amsterdam. Antwerp is modern, trendy, 'hip', fashionable and..... it has great food.

People are (literally) more colorful in Antwerp than, let's say, Brussels. It surprises me people often forget about this amazing city between Bru and Ams.

Mmm... I find "Antwerpians" to be rather pretentious, on the brink of arrogant even... Though I must admit that Red&Blue is one hell of a great club... 8)

If you want trendy, 'hip' and fashionable, go to Paris, London, NY or Tokyo. What are you even doing in Belgium. The main reason to live in Brussels is that it is the capital of the EU (hence of the world :wink: *cough* *cough*), that it is where everything is happening politically, that it is such a multilingual place with some of the best "affordable" restaurants in Europe, and that it is a convenient base to commute to Paris or London (which are too expensive to live). If you don't care about these things, there is little point in considering life in Brussels.

huh?? Have you read what I said?

Why should I go to Paris or London if I'm satisfied with Antwerp? Antwerp IS a truly trendy & hip city. Brussels may be bigger, it doesn't come close to Antwerp's vibe. 8)

I'd call them 'self-confident' :wink: Never had any problems with Antwerpians, I must say.

And yes, Red&Blue is one hell of a club, but I prefer the 'calm' places. I'm not really a dancer....to say the least. Me on a dancefloor...and disaster strikes. :wink: