Subject: Help - Moving to Belgium

Hi to all.

I'm a Ph.D student and I'll do an internship in Belgium. I'll stay there for one full year and I have some questions.

Would anyone help me?

1) Is English widely speak in Belgium, as it is in Nederlands? Could I live well just with English or do I need to start learn some Dutch? I am going to live in Ghent, near Ghent University.

2) How much is the average of a rent near that location?

3) What are the mayor cellphone and broadband companies in Belgium?


Thanks a lot!

1) We speak even better English :) Ghent is a multicultural city with lots of students, so I think you will feel great here.

2) It depends on your demands, but I think for 400-500 Euro/month you have a nice place to live at..

3) Proximus, Mobistar, Telenet, ...

1) indeed there are lots of students coming to belgium to study. If you can speak English, you surely be alright. The lessons aren't always in English though, so maybe it's best to investigate that part wether or not classes are given in English or dutch.

2) If you rent a litlle dormitory, specially for students, you can find some of 350 euros/month.
Bigger ones are indeed 400-500 euro/month

3) Proximus, Mobistar, ... as muchacho stated :)

Thank you giagio and muchacho.

My idea is to have a humble place to live indeed. I was thinking something like a studio room. Just a place to sleep, cook and take a shower =P

That amount (350-500 euro/month) is usually just for rent, or including utilities (electricity, water, internet...)?


Another question =)

Is it fine to buy electronics from internet in Belgium? There are big/famous online stores like amazon, ebay, bestbuy, wallmart, etc?
(edited)

my dormitory (1 room to sleep, study,...) has 1 shower for each 10 students, but also a kitchen wich you can use. The electricity, water and internet is included in my 350 euros/mmonth, but some student rooms might not have that privilege.

for your last question i do not have enough experience with buying online :)

Is it fine to buy electronics from internet in Belgium? There are big/famous online stores like amazon, ebay, bestbuy, wallmart, etc?

I regularly buy things from internet from a .be site. I never had any problem... I allready bought food, electronics, ...

Nice to know that giagio! =)
Do you study at Ghent university?

That dormitory that you live has is related with the university (e.g. university city or something like that)?

Very nice.

I was looking for some Belgian websites yesterday and found some stores that sells electronics and cellphone. The mayor sites are in French or Dutch. My little knowledge in French is proving very useful =)

Do you know any forum or website for coupons or deals?
Here in Brazil we have some online forums where you can buy stuff really cheap. In the USA there are a lot of those too, like http://slickdeals.net/.

yes i study my last year at Ghent university.
my room however is not related with the university, but has its own landlord :)

on this site you should be able to find some extra information on finding a place to live with help from the university: http://www.ugent.be/en/living

for coupons: there is groupon i think (?) But haven't heard a lot of positive feedback.

and is stated before, Ghent is a great city. I studied at the Ghent University and never left the city.

www.bol.com

It's a Dutch site that offers pretty much everything you need. Except food. Very fast delivery.

A lot of international websites deliver to Belgium as well. Ebay and Amazon are often used I think.

There's an IKEA near Gent, so if you need any furniture, you can always visit their store once you arrive.

http://www.mediamarkt.be/

A German website company that offers electronics in Belgium as well. Don't have any experience with them though.
(edited)

saturn is also a elctronics store but i dont know if there is one in ghent