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Living in Laeken
Question
Expats living in Laeken - how do you like it? How easy it is to commute to the EU quarter? We (family of four with two kids who could attend the European School there) are ready for a change of scenery and we have seen nice houses in what looks like a nice area (Pagodes - Tour Japonaise). Thanks in advance for your feedback and insights!
These 3 maps are helpful in seeing public transport in the north Brussels region and just outside in Vlaams Brabant.
The black and blue stops on this map indicate De Lijn / SNCB services included on an MTB version of the STIB season ticket, stops in orange are excluded and only good for de Lijn tickets.
http://www.stib.be/irj/go/km/docs/STIB-MIVB/INTERNET/attachments/Plan_re...
http://www.delijn.be/images/netplan_vervoergebied_brussel_20130528_tcm7-...
http://www.delijn.be/images/Netplan_overstapmogelijkheden_BHG_16042012_t...
Could you clarify roughly between which streets lays the "good" area of Laeken and which is the "other" part? I am also interested in housing there because of the European school. Thanks:)
MIK123, just look at the map already posted. West side of 1020 Laeken west of the Laeken domain and east side of 1020 east of Laeken domain, which blends into Neder-over-Hembeek, Koningslo and Stombeek-Bever. Look at the map, you can see the markings of the west side of 1020 Laeken, metro line 6 runs in the area, Bockstael, Hougba-Brugman, Roi Baudouin metro stations. The east side has tram lines 3/7.
You wouldn't want to live on the side where the EU school is. In my opinion, it is depressing and unsafe. Trust me. The EU school from the "good" part of Laeken is only few minutes drive. Many people who live close to De Wand, walk to the school. Parts of Neder-over-Hembeek is also unsafe. Especially part of Avenue Versailles where the state housing begins. Koningslo is lovely but a walking distance to De Wand. It is also Flemish. I will repeat; do not rent a house on the side of the EU school. Good luck
If anyone knows a website where you can take a map and colour certain bits in to show where to look for housing, it would be very helpful. The closest I've got is mapmyrun.com where I delineate areas as a walking route and the bit in the middle is where to look for housing, but being able to shade that area in would be very useful.
If anyone knows a website where you can take a map and colour certain bits in to show where to look for housing, it would be very helpful. The closest I've got is mapmyrun.com where I delineate areas as a walking route and the bit in the middle is where to look for housing, but being able to shade that area in would be very useful.
Good grief, some people are paranoid. A few dark faces and midd;e-eastern robes do not make an area 'unsafe'. Yes, the area around Bockstael is run down, but you also have some great ethnic shopping around there. Go up Houba a bit, towards Stuyvenbergh and Houba-Brugmann metros, and off to the left there is tons of decent housing, while the small triangular area off to the right has , to me, a village feel about it. I always fancied living there.
We moved to Laeken ( pagodes / De Wand area) in 2011 and no complaints !! I also work in the EU quarter- take the tram 3 into Rogier then change for metro or tram 7 to Meiser/Montgomery.
This area ( pagodes) is very residential, with a good shopping street ( Rue de Wand) which caters for all your needs - groceries, banks, butchers, restos, creches etc etc) and there are a number of schools in the vicinity.
if you have a car, then the motorway ( A12, ring exit,) and main roads are close by.
Aside from Pagodes area you have the Grimbergen, Strombeek areas of Flanders neighbouring which have lovely residential areas and green spaces !
We moved to Laeken ( pagodes / De Wand area) in 2011 and no complaints !! I also work in the EU quarter- take the tram 3 into Rogier then change for metro until Arts-Loi/Trone/Louise : It takes me about 35mins to get from door to door. Or tram 7 to Meiser/Montgomery.
This area ( pagodes) is very residential, with a good shopping street ( Rue de Wand) which caters for all your needs - groceries, banks, butchers, restos, creches etc etc) and there are a number of schools in the vicinity. Aside from this there are green spaces and cycle lanes etc so it gives you a nice feeling that youre away from the hussle and bussle of the city centre!
if you have a car, then the motorway ( A12, ring exit,) and main roads are close by.
Aside from Pagodes area you have the Grimbergen, Strombeek areas of Flanders neighbouring which have lovely residential areas and green spaces !
All in all I am very happy to be living in this area and dont plan on moving closer to Brussels centre :-)
We moved to Laeken ( pagodes / De Wand area) in 2011 and no complaints !! I also work in the EU quarter- take the tram 3 into Rogier then change for metro until Arts-Loi/Trone/Louise : It takes me about 35mins to get from door to door. Or tram 7 to Meiser/Montgomery.
This area ( pagodes) is very residential, with a good shopping street ( Rue de Wand) which caters for all your needs - groceries, banks, butchers, restos, creches etc etc) and there are a number of schools in the vicinity. Aside from this there are green spaces and cycle lanes etc so it gives you a nice feeling that youre away from the hussle and bussle of the city centre!
if you have a car, then the motorway ( A12, ring exit,) and main roads are close by.
Aside from Pagodes area you have the Grimbergen, Strombeek areas of Flanders neighbouring which have lovely residential areas and green spaces !
All in all I am very happy to be living in this area and dont plan on moving closer to Brussels centre :-)
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