½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Moving to Ghent

Post new topic

Fabsgent

Hello everyone. I will be moving to Gent soon to do an internship and I have some doubts if you guys could help me.
The internship is unpaid, but atm I have a job I can do in any location and that will keep me "surviving" in Gent at the beginning. Eventually I will have to find a part time job (a bar, cafe or something like that) to have a more comfortable life. Can you please tell me if it is possible to do it speaking only english (a little bit of french also). I would also like to know about living expenses, I read somewhere that supermarket bill is around 100€ a month, transportation pass is 22€ and that I can rent a small room (everything included) for 250€. Can someone confirm this?

Thank you a lot and hope to meet you when I arrive

See also

Living in Belgium: the expat guideAmericans hopefully in Gent?Annex 49 and employmentFamily reunion visaRenting a house in Gent
hannahhadman

Well fristly french isnt used in gent its all dutch. You might get lucky in one of the irish bars but business is slow at the moment

schoolmum

I think you'd find it extremely difficult to live on those amounts of money, add a bit more to what you've quoted.

hannahhadman

yeah this is also true I have seen student kots (basically one room studios) all inc for about 400 to 500 in gent centre my rent on my apartment is 650 not inc. However my bf said 250 for just a room u can find but you will have to look however it is now sept and most students will of snaped these up by now.

hannahhadman

these are a bit more pricy from what u were looking at but I found this by simply typing in google

MonkeyinEurope

English only...difficult, but possible.  Be prepared to keep looking.  Going on 1.5 months, still unemployed.
However, I have not opened myself up to ALL job markets, still looking in my required area.

Brussels is more French Speaking, if you want to maybe work there on weekends.

Fabsgent

Thank you so much for your answers. I might be doing some freelance styling job in Antwerp and Brussels if I can find some clients but we will see. Thank you for that link hannahhadman, there are some ads of really cheap rooms in central Ghent. Is the center a nice place to live?! I don't really mind about old buildings, just needs to be safe and from what I read Ghent is extremely safe.
Just out of curiosity, what's yr field MonkeyinEurope?

I'm moving alone to Ghent and it was a sudden opportunity so I still haven't got much info on the city (or the country actually), every comment on things I must know is appreciated =P

hugs

hannahhadman

Yeah gent is pretty safe never really seen any problems and my friends say the same not like brussels. Some areas are nicer that others and they are very big Turkish communities in gent but even the more run down bad looking areas are pretty good. Only problem with living in the centre is the noise on a night.

nyben

Overpoort!!!  GAAAAN.  Pretty cliche but i think any newcomer would love it

Articles to help you in your expat project in Ghent

  • A guide to Brussels' neighbourhoods
    A guide to Brussels' neighbourhoods

    A very safe and laid-back city to live and work in, Brussels has many different sides for expats and tourists to ...

  • Buying property in Brussels
    Buying property in Brussels

    Compared with other European capitals, buying property in Brussels is very affordable. Consequently, it's ...

  • Accommodation in Leuven
    Accommodation in Leuven

    Leuven is home to a lot of students but also attracts expats because of the companies implemented there. So, where ...

  • Opening a bank account in Belgium
    Opening a bank account in Belgium

    If you plan to live in Belgium long-term, opening a bank account is a good idea. Not only will you need a ...

  • Work permit in Belgium
    Work permit in Belgium

    When moving to Belgium, you'll probably need to work to maintain a decent lifestyle. Suppose you're lucky ...

  • Tax in Belgium
    Tax in Belgium

    Like everyone else, expats in Belgium have to pay taxes. Here's a description of how Belgian taxes work.

  • The health system in Belgium
    The health system in Belgium

    Health care is a priority, especially when we expatriate to a foreign country. Here's how to take care of your ...

  • Working in Antwerp
    Working in Antwerp

    Antwerp is famous for its harbor and diamonds. It's located in Flanders, north of Belgium. Conditions apply to ...

All of Ghent's guide articles