In the past, Belgium has probably had something of a reputation for being a little bit prim and proper. Famed as being the home to the European Parliament and several other international bodies, it was renowned for up-market shopping and dining and the presence of well-heeled politicians and business people.  In recent years, however, it has developed much more of a cutting edge. Whilst it might not yet have the hipster credibility of cities like London and Berlin, this might actually be something of an advantage.

If you live in Brussels then you’re never going to face any difficulty when it comes to finding places to eat and drink. On virtually every street corner and in all the parks you can find vans serving delicious waffles or stalls selling fantastically fresh seafood. The streets and squares of the centre of the city are lined with cafes, bars and brasseries and, famously, there’s probably no finer city in the world if you’re idea of a good drink is a delicious specialist beer.

When you think about living in Brussels, taking advantage of wide open green spaces might not be the first thing that springs to mind. A modern, euro-centric city containing a blend of the historic and the modern, a thriving cultural scene and the chance to sample food and drink from all over the world? All of this is certainly true, but it’s probably not the place to stretch your legs, breath in some fresh air and enjoy a picnic. As anyone who lives there will attest, however, this is something of a misconception.

Unless you’re a multi-millionaire with a team of personal assistants working round the clock to find you the perfect place, searching for an apartment is tough. Even multi-millionaires probably lie awake at night wondering if the pool in that last penthouse was exactly the right shape, but this isn’t about them. This is about you, the average person, trying to find a place to live and wondering if all the pieces will ever fall into place. Perhaps the hardest part about searching for an apartment is that it’s a highly emotional process.