Lake at bois de la cambreVille de Bruxelles
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Top 5 Picnic Spots: Summer in Brussels

Our favorite picnic spots, walking distance to Morton Place

 

Brussels is full of beautiful green spaces for taking advantage of the summer sun. Luckily Morton Place is near it all! Grab a group of friends, or plan a romantic rendez-vous for two, and enjoy what our residents consider the best of the best public parks nearby. 

 

Bois de la Cambre

The Bois de la Cambre is the ultimate outdoor space somewhat close to Morton Place. It’s definitely worth the extra effort to get there, either by planning a long-ish walk or via scooter, bike, or public transport. Boasting an expanse of grassy fields, forest areas and walking & biking trails lining the southern part of Brussels you can always find a shady spot under the trees or stake your claim to a sunny patch by the lake.

Perhaps you’d prefer to pack your own picnic for an afternoon in the park, but if dining out is your thing, check out Woodpecker and Le Kiosque for casual fare like sandwiches and snacks. If you’re up for a mini adventure, jump on the ferry boat shuttle to Chalet Robinson where you can dine more formally in the restaurant — or plop down in a canvas lounger on the lawn and watch the paddle boaters go by.

 

Our favorite place for quick bites and cool drinks is Le Kiosque. This cheerful, self service café has some impromptu jazz nights during the summer and keeps its terrace full of young punters satisfied with generous drinks, decent enough food and lovely staff.

Check out the individual websites for exact locations and hours.

 

 

Parc du Cinquantenaire

Maybe you work near the European Quarter or just want a change of scenery…Parc du Cinquantenaire offers a majestic backdrop for picnicking. Surrounded by a panoramic arcade built to commemorate the 50th year of Belgium’s independence, the park features a long esplanade and ample space for spreading out to enjoy a Brussels sunset. If you’re up for some culture, pop into the Military, Auto and Art History museums surrounding the park, watch the calendar for a myriad of events, or just pick up a variety of goodies from the numerous specialty food & drink shops nearby and park yourself in the grass. 

Parc de Forest – Park van Vorst
© visit.brussels – Jean-Paul Remy – 2019

Forest Park

Forest is the closest walking distance park from our Morton Place homes, which means it’s an easy go-to destination for lazy summer days. The vast open areas make for perfect picnic spots, kicking around the football, tossing a frisbee, or just meandering amid the beautiful flower beds and foliage. Swing by the myriad of shops along the way to fill up your picnic basket – create your own from the Carrefour Market at Chaussee d’Alsemberg or go for pre-made goodies from some of our favorites like Himalayan dumplings from Mo Mo and creative rice paper rolls from Knees to Chin.

Place Louis Morichar Park

For super-local green space, well off the beaten track and  just 400 meters from your front door, head over to Place Louis Morichar. A quintessential city park, where basketballers and skateboarders unite, you’ll also find it a perfect go-to spot for summer sundowners and picnics, always packed with fellow neighbors when the weather is nice. 

The Ixelles Ponds & Gardens of the Abbaye de la Cambre 

Just a hop, skip & jump from Morton Place you’ll find an idyllic location for picnicking amid the bustle of popular Place Flagey. If you go on Saturday or Sunday, hit the famous Flagey market, easily accessible on the 81 tram from Lombardie. On other days, combine an afternoon apéro or morning espresso on the sprawling terrace of red chairs at Cafe Belga — and then make your way along the Ixelles ponds and up through the Abbey and surrounding gardens.

 

Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon at dawn Frédéric Paulussen
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How to get around Brussels: Transportation Options

Transportation in Brussels – Getting Around (or out of) Town

Even though Brussels is very walkable, when you need to pick up the pace or head out of town – there are a multitude of ways to navigate Europe’s vibrant capital city. Keep reading below to discover your preferred method for exploring the neighborhood… and beyond!

Public Transportation in Brussels

The public transport network in Brussels offers swift and reliable options for getting around town. Take your pick of trams, buses, and the metro depending on where you are and where you want to go. You can even check your commute time at the interactive transport site STIB-MIVB and also find the fastest way to get from point A to B in this bustling city.

Our Morton Place properties are very close to public transport stations, so we highly recommend using them for easy and reliable service. The public transport system in Brussels is safe and clean and most Morton Place residents use it regularly for commuting. 

See which of the various MoBiB payment options is right for you and order your card online or in one of the vending machine kiosks in stations and around town. You can top it up with as much money as you need, and it can be used to pay for all of the public transport operators in Belgium. These days, you can also use contactless payment cards to pay on board, but you may save money by purchasing one of the MoBiB payment plans listed above. 

Personal Mobility in Brussels

Brussels has seriously embraced personal mobility options, ranging from electric scooters to mopeds to private car shares and more. We’ve highlighted some of the more popular options below, but check out this comprehensive list of mobility options.

E-Scooters

Electric (kick) scooters have taken over almost every corner of this city! These personal transport options, accessible via app, are extremely popular and very useful for zipping around town. You’ll find a flurry of options such as DOTT, Bolt, Lime, Voi, Bird and Tier, which have hundreds of scooters available.

Bicycles

The e-scooter companies Bolt and Dott also offer e-bicycles to zip around town. But for a longer term option, Swapfiets lets you pay a monthly fee for your own personal electric or traditional bike — a great choice for shorter commutes and freedom on the weekends.

In a pinch you might consider the traditional bicycle share called Villo! but it’s a bit more work since you can only pick up and park between fixed points. blue-bike is a rental option based out of train stations in Belgium, including all the stations in Brussels.

Many of our residents have their own bikes and there is ample space to store yours safely at Morton Place. 

If you’re in the market to purchase a new e-bike to go with your new room, visit Cowboy for the hippest new ride in town.

 

E-Mopeds

Want to feel the wind in your hair? Well, under your helmet at least! Sign up for Felyx, the electric moped service that’s as fun as it is useful. Download the app to find a moped near you and use the map online to see the range of distance you can travel. You’ll want to be sure that you stay within the Felyx -approved zones to park legally and also get back to where you need to go! Each moped comes equipped with two helmets.

Personal Car Sharing

Car sharing providers like Cambio, Poppy and Miles allow you to pick up a car at a station or within a zone and deliver it back when you’re done. Consider the different pricing, fueling up, parking and zone options depending on your needs — for instance, Miles is “pay by distance” whereas Poppy is “pay by time.”

National & International Trains

Looking for an adventure further afield? Brussels is well-connected to the rest of Belgium and throughout Europe & the UK by train. You can find high speed service via Thalys & Eurostar, while you can hop on many local & national trains by booking online at SNCB. (Pro tip: Visit the world’s most beautiful train station in Antwerp!)

Can You See Yourself at Morton Place? 

We hope that you’ll join our Morton Place community! As a resident in one of our homes it is our mission to help you settle into Brussels while delivering you the unique benefits of a chic, all-inclusive, coliving environment. Feel free to reach out anytime!

Housing Brussels
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Finding housing in Brussels: our top tips!

Tips to Find Your Perfect Apartment in Brussels

 

Thinking about moving to Brussels? You’re not alone—Brussels is the number one expat destination in Europe—and for good reason.

 

With its beautiful architecture, cultural diversity, efficient public transport, and buffet of culinary delights, this charming city offers something for everyone. It may seem overwhelming to start the search, but it’s easy to find your home-sweet-home thanks to tons of websites, chock-full of housing options. With traffic becoming an increasing problem in Brussels, public transportation should be part of your decision making in choosing your housing. Although you may hope for accommodation which is within walking distance to your office, that’s not always possible or preferable. Also think about whether you will need access to the Eurostar (Midi Station) or the Airport.  The STIB is the Brussels’ transport service, and their journey planner is an excellent way to figure out whether the location you are considering will be an easy commute. Start by looking at STIB.BE the portal for the public transport system in Brussels. Figure out the trams, and metros which head to your office and then you can narrow down the neighborhoods which are good for you. (For more tips on choosing neighborhoods check out our top tips here  Best Brussels Neighborhoods for Expats :) 

Art Deco details of brussels houses in chatelain neighborhoods

1. Popular Rental Portals in Brussels 

A quick Google search for “apartment+rental+Brussels” will land you hundreds of hits. How do you narrow it down—and how do you know if that dream room is legit? The more popular rental portal sites, such as immoweb or immo.vlan tend to specialise in unfurnished, long-term housing. This can be risky business if you are booking online, or with a private landlord, scams are not uncommon. We have heard horror stories of deposits paid for flats that didn’t exist.  If you want to start with a furnished place, sites like spotahome can be useful. These portals tend to showcase a broad range of available options, with huge variations in quality. 

 

Life in a new city can be daunting. With work taking up a lot of your time and energy, it’s difficult to find time and opportunities to make new friends. Shared housing can be a good opportunity to share costs and start making your new social network.

Happy young woman at party Brussels

2. Try Coliving!

Brussels is the epicenter of the coliving movement in Europe. With such an influx of international professionals coming to work for the EU and related institutions there is consistent demand for flexible, all inclusive, furnished housing.  At Morton Place, we focus on  fostering  communities of like minded residents with a variety nationalities  with whom you can share your first steps in this new city. Coliving homes  offer built-in community, camaraderie and exciting networking opportunities, especially as a new arrival in Belgium. Other shared housing options can be found on roommate sites such as s appartager, or housinganywhere . The providers might require a subscription, limiting you to a certain number of searches per week, or, in other cases, unlimited access until you find your dream space. 

3. Find it on Facebook

 

There are several local Facebook groups that offer apartment hunting and shared housing resources. You can sign up with popular groups such as bxl a louer, bxl a louer studio-apart, as well as BRUXELLES: location and brussels flats and rooms to rent to start looking, and post while you’re on the hunt. While these sites are an excellent resource and helpful for making connections, it can be difficult to find the most up to date housing options. 


Rental in Brussels

 

4. Leverage Your Net-Work

If you’re moving for work, your HR department likely has lots of information about settling down in Brussels. Ask if your organization works with a relocation agent who might be able to pass along the inside scoop on any rooms or apartments on their radar. Maybe other colleagues are interested in coliving and you can go on the hunt together. If you work with the Commission or another EU organization, get connected to their welcome office intranet which lists hundreds of rentals around Brussels. 

 

5. Trust Your Gut to Avoid a Scam

 

Although most providers are legitimate, beware of bad actors. If the posting is too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t transfer money until you’ve visited the space in person or via video tour. Ask your potential landlord for references if possible. Make sure you check dates, hidden fees and rental agreements so you know all the fine print before you commit.

Funrished Housing in Brussels

Enjoy Brussels –

We hope we get a chance to introduce you to the vibrant coliving communities of Morton Place – contact us for a video or in person tour.

 

 

 

Maison Communale de St GillesMorton Place

Make it Official: How to Register at the Commune of St Gilles

 Registration (Domiciliation) at your commune, simple steps

Bienvenue! You’ve made it to Brussels, St. Gilles to be exact. And while your sights may be set on decorating your space, making a splash at work, and meeting new friends, your first job is to register with the St. Gilles commune. Here are some simple steps to make the registration process easier so you can spend more time living your best life in Brussels!

Why Do I Need to Register at the Commune?

As you may know, Brussels consists of 19 separate communes, or municipalities. Belgian law requires that most adults – with the exception of some who work for Parliament or NATO – must register with the commune where they reside if planning to stay longer than three months. Registering at the commune means you receive an official Belgian ID card and national number. Having this ID will also help simplify a number of administrative tasks you may encounter while living here – ranging from local healthcare to securing a parking permit.

What Does Domiciliation Mean?

The term domiciliation is the concept of registering yourself legally at the address in which you reside. As outlined above, the process of registering at the St. Gilles commune is the act of domiciliation for the purposes of legally residing in Belgium. You may have encountered the term “non-domiciliation” when looking at certain rentals. This means that you cannot register to live legally at that address

How Do I Register at the Commune?

You have eight days upon arrival in Belgium to register yourself at the St. Gilles commune. And there are varying procedures to keep in mind depending on your status as an EU or non-EU national. You’ll also need to determine whether you are registering as a Belgian resident for the very first time; updating your existing registration in the Belgian population system; or applying for non-EU residence status. 

If you have never registered in Belgium before you must make an in-person appointment. As soon as you know your move-in date, schedule an appointment ASAP since spots fill up quickly.

  1. Click here to schedule your appointment
  2. Select from the pull down menu: 
  • Administration: A.C. St. Gilles 
  • Department: Registration in the Municipality
  • Procedure: This depends on your status within Belgium — select whether you are changing addresses from another commune; an EU national, or a non-EU national.
  1. Gather all the necessary paperwork required for your application. 

Black lamp on desk

I’m Not an EU National. How Does This Impact My Domiciliation?

If you are landing in Belgium for the first time from outside an EU member state, you’ll have to take the preliminary step of applying for a visa prior to requesting residency in St. Gilles. Most likely your employer has already finalized this process, which includes work permits and necessary visas applications. If not, email the St. Gilles commune to be sure you know exactly what to plan for.

 

What Documents Do I Need For My Registration?

The documents required for your Belgian ID card change regularly. Some examples are listed below, but make sure to double check with the commune before your visit.

 

Examples of items you may need:

  • Official residence lease

  • Passport and/or ID from your issuing country

  • 2 photographs which can be taken in a photobooth near you

  • Visa/work permit as necessary

  • Payment

 

I Submitted My Registration. What Happens Next?

After you’ve submitted your registration, you’ll need to sit and wait. Literally. The local police will pay an unannounced visit to your home to confirm it’s really you and that you really live there. They will also check that your name is on the door or near the doorbell. If you’re not at home when the officer stops by, make sure to follow up with the note they’ll leave in your mailbox so your application doesn’t get delayed. This visit usually happens within the week after submitting your registration, so just sit tight!

 

Shortly after the police swing by, you’ll receive a sealed envelope by mail with pin-codes that correspond to your new ID. Bring this envelope to the commune (by appointment or walk in) and voila! You’re officially registered in the system and that Belgian ID is yours. Congratulations!

 

What Happens When I Leave St. Gilles or Belgium Altogether?

Make sure to deregister from the Belgium system when your stay here is over. If not, you could face a number of unintended consequences ranging from unnecessary residency taxes to visa and health insurance issues should you ever return to Belgium in the future.

 

So just like registering when you move to Belgium, you need to deregister when you leave Belgium. To do so, simply visit the commune, turn in your residency card and request a Model 8 form which confirms that you are no longer a resident of Belgium.

Funrished Housing in Brussels

Can You See Yourself at Morton Place? 

We hope that you’ll join our Morton Place community! As a resident in one of our homes it is our mission to help you settle into Brussels, including helping navigate the commune. All the while delivering you the unique benefits of a chic, all-inclusive, coliving environment. Feel free to reach out anytime!