Brussels - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Clubs and volunteering will help you meet some people. Our neighbors were very friendly. Many people will happily speak English with you. - Aug 2024
I volunteered at the Brussels Consignment Shop. That's how I met people. - Apr 2024
Expats everywhere, join a club, there are expat groups on facebook, missions have community events. It's easy to meet people here. Next level socializing: if you can do it, learn French or Dutch so you (and/or your kids) can join dance, music, sports, workout groups through your local commune, which are super cheap and will get you into the local scene (beyond your own nationality's circle and/or English-speaking expat groups). - Feb 2023
Like in many places, schools tend to be the places where people first connect. - Jan 2022
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) was good about getting people together through events and clubs, but it seems a lot has gone by the wayside with recent changes and the pandemic. There are also local groups if you can find them. Brussels Ladies Meetup is a Facebook group of all English speaking women in Brussels (not related to US or diplomatic missions). Other people joined local running groups, knitting groups, etc. - Oct 2021
The Embassy offers social opportunities through CLO, like in most posts. The international schools have their own social opportunities as well. Local groups exist, but you have to seek them out. - Sep 2020
Anything you can think of, from dinners or play dates at friends' homes, to meeting up in local parks, to going out to bars, clubs, and restaurants, to sporting clubs and other activities. - Mar 2020
We have an active social life, between our neighbors and the school, and the occasional embassy friend. There are as many social opportunities as your imagination permits. - Feb 2019
Weekend trips to other places including in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Belgians go outside in nice weather to the parks, "the forest," etc. - May 2018
Meetup groups, volunteering, groups based on hobbies, etc. - Jan 2018
Expatclub.org is an EXCELLENT way to get plugged in right away. They offer bus trips to many places within a day's drive. There's also the American Club of Brussels. - Dec 2016
Sightseeing, movies, theaters, cultural events, restaurant hopping, involvement in the local schools etc. - Aug 2014
Same as anywhere! - Apr 2014
We work long hours at NATO so most people are ready to go home at the end of the day. Many delegations host events (e.g. national days) during business hours in the NATO cafeteria. - Jan 2014
Travel. - Jan 2014
Lots...usual big city things. - Oct 2012
Lots of great restaurants and cozy little bars and cafés. No closing time, but the selection of nightclubs aren't great. - May 2012
All good. However, the fact that the town (and country) literally shuts down on Saturday night and doesn't open until Monday morning took some getting used to. - Jan 2012
Given the size how dispersed the US Government community is here, there isn't the cohesion you find in smaller places. Everybody pretty much does there own thing. There are lots of international organization to join and it's very easy to meet other expats. - Aug 2011
See above. Lots to see and do. Make your own community. From all over the expat world. - Jul 2011
Cinema: most are in english with french subtitles, except children's films, which are generally dubbed. Also: theatre, opera, etc. Lots of dinners at folks' homes. - Jun 2011
It really depends - you can go out and party every night if you want to, but it gets old after awhile because you end up going the same places again and again. - Jun 2011
All the socializing you want to do, though you'll get to know the venues pretty fast. - Jun 2010
Singles live downtown and generally hang out together. Families live in the 'burbs' and have to hang out together because they are so far out of town! - Jun 2010
Lots of things to do here - anything you can imagine and more. - Mar 2010
A very large number of very expensive restuarants. Many clubs and pubs of every flavor. Lots of activities for all ages. - Jul 2009
