A recent survey by Mercer Human Resources ranked Brussels as one of the most pleasant places to live on the continent and one of its cheapest cities. In fact, the cost of living in Brussels is just under that of White Plains, a suburb of New York. The cost of living survey covered 144 cities around the world and measured the comparative cost of over 200 items. For instance, the survey concluded that the cost of renting a luxury apartment in Brussels was one third of that of London.

Transportation, food and other items were consistently cheaper in Brussels than in other major business centres in Europe. In fact, the survey concluded that Brussels was the least expensive capital in Western Europe, not including the new member states of the EU. The survey also ranked Brussels fourth among European capitals in terms of quality of life.

Competitive prices...

• House prices & rents
  
  House prices in the Brussels Capital Region have yet to soar as they have in cities like London or Paris, and there is no reason to expect inflationary pressure in the future. Part of the reason for this is a government stamp tax, which discourages real estate speculation. As a result, housing is looked upon as a long-term investment in Brussels, not as a speculative bet.

Rents in the city are cheap compared with other European capitals. Even in the areas where expatriates tend to live, prices are very reasonable, and the quality of housing stock is very high. Leases tend to extend to three years or more.

• Necessities and luxuries
  
  Food and other necessities are also very competitively priced in the Brussels Capital Region and even the luxuries, like going out to dinner, are very reasonable. The cost of public transport is almost half of what it would be in London or other major European cities. Even simply going to and from the airport is fast and cheap.

Although salaries are lower in Brussels, than in London or Paris, the average worker has greater purchasing power.