I'm faced with (the fortunate) choice of taking a new job in Brussels or Prague.

I'd like to know your opinions on this question: Would you rather live in Brussels or Prague?

I've analyzed this 100 times and I am not sure which way to go. I'd like to throw other people's experiences into the mix. Maybe a few of you Fodorites have spent time living in one or both places.

Some things to consider:
1) Assume the job and financial factors are exactly balanced (salary vs. taxes. vs. cost of living, etc)
2) The question is not which place is better for a visit, but better to live.
3) I've been to both places 2-3x for a few days so I am generally familiar with each (and I like them both).
4) I already live as an expat in another European city so this adjustment will be minimal.
5) Proximity to other desirable Europe travel destinations (i.e. for weekends) is a significant factor

Anyway, just hoping to hear what people would be thinking if they were in my shoes.

Thanks!

PS: I like beer so I guess I can't go wrong either way...

I live in Brussels - have never lived in Prague, but have visted there.

On the plus side for Brussels - the beer is great! so you'll like that. It's very international - so you can make friends quickly. The food is good - and for proximity to other European destinations - it can't be beat.

On the down side, its dirty and the Belgians hate the ex pats.

Salaries are bad here - you have to work tax free or on US rates.

If you have any detailed questions regarding housing/cost of living etc - feel free to mail me at
irishlawchickXXXXyahoo.ie

replaces the x's

When I saw your title I was all set to say, are you crazy, Prague is a much nicer city. But that's for visiting, not living. I've visited both but never lived in either so hopefully the other people on this board who live in them can give you advice. But I think the key is your point # 5 - pronimity. Brussels seems so much closer to so much more. And probably has better flight connections also. I know the Brussels airport is far larger than the Prague airport is. While I really loved Prague (and didn't really love Brussels), if you will be spending most of your time either working or traveling to other European destination, I'd pick Brussels.

We lived in Brussels for 5+ years and still do part time. I think it's an excellent base for expats but have no idea what living in Prague would be like. I would suspect that Prague would have a more tightly knit expat community. I would guess that high quality spacious housing is more expensive and less readily available than in Brussels (just guessing, of course and probably of more concern to a family than singles or childless couples). Prague seems generally more challenging but probably also more exciting and romantic, so it depends on your taste.
The economy of Brussels revolves around its international institutions and businesses so it's very easy for expats to get settled in--lots of good housing available, very active expat societies (not everyone gets involved in them, of course), big health clubs, good shopping, English is spoken widely, etc. etc. Living in Brussels will be easier than Prague, IMO, but perhaps not so "exotic".
Lawchick is right about the taxes; if you don't have some sort of special tax status, the taxes will be pretty darn annoying.
I don't think the Belgians hate expats, though, at least not the ones who speak French or Dutch/Flemish, they ignore us when they can.
If the job commitment was fairly limited in time--just a year or so, I would take Prague for the experience alone. If it's more likely to be semi-permanent, then I'd go with Brussels.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Keep them coming, please...

Yes, in terms of the better place to visit, I think most people would vote for Prague in a minute. I wish it were that simple.

I'm probably leaning towards Brussels at this point because:
1) it's more multicultural and vibrant,
2) it's so close (1-2 hr trips) to other interesting travel destinations,
3) it has a more extensive expat community (which is important to me because I don't have that where I live now and would like to make friends),
4) it has better access for getting to/from the US for occasional home visits.

But everytime I think I have my mind made up, I can't bear the thought of turning down an opportunity to live in Prague, the Golden City.

I guess this is a classic brain vs. heart decision.

More comments are appreciated. Thanks!

PS: BTilke, this is probably at least a 3-5 year experience, so that is probably another factor for Brussels. Thanks for the analysis!

I think it's more than comparing the cities themselves. Having been to both, I'd prefer Prague like most everyone else, though I also enjoyed a (very) brief visit to Brussels and it seems like a neat place, too.

You don't say where you now live overseas. Obviously, Prague puts you in Eastern Europe and Brussels in Western. Which do you most yearn to explore? Eastern Europe certainly seems more exotic (having just been there), although Prague itself seems to be turning quickly into a big tourist trap. But it sounds like surrounding areas near Prague aren't yet so spoiled and that you might have a lot of neat places to explore. In 20 years the whole area may be transformed, not the same. I doubt Western Europe will see that same transformation.

Which experience do you want to remember 5 years down the road? Exploring Eastern or Western Europe?

True, the proximity to Paris would make Brussels oh-so-tempting. But easyJet flys from Prague to London now, so that would be an easy weekend. The way Prague is booming, I wouldn't be surprised to see more travel connections with the rest of Europe soon.

Tough choice! I envy you, actually.

Andrew

Stradun, is it possible for you to make a short trip to Prague looking at things solely from the resident's viewpoint? Meet with some expats, look at a couple of apartments? Have you been reading the Prague Post online? Re the job, have you met your prospective co-workers at both destinations? You'll be spending hours with them each day and that may be the deciding factor.
Also, if you do go for the Prague option and it doesn't work, what recourse would you have? Would you be stuck or would you be able to transfer elsewhere.
Also, I'm assuming weather isn't a factor. Brussels winter is more like the UK, chilly and damp in winter but not snowy. Prague will give you more of a "real" winter (like Vienna).
Andrew makes a good point re your travel interests. Eastern Europe is attracting more and more tourists (I plan to visit Krakow in Feb. or March), plus Vienna, Turkey, Croatia, eastern Germany.
If Prague is truly calling you, go for it. Job opportunities in Brussels are much more plentiful than in Prague, so if Prague doesn't work, you might be able to end up here anyway.
And from a strictly selfish point of view, I say go with Prague--we could use a Prague-based Fodorite!

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Lawchick, I'll be sending you an email soon about Brussels.

As far as where I live now, it's Zagreb, Croatia. I really like Croatia but unfortunately better economic opportunities are elsewhere right now. This should improve with EU membership in a few years.

I enjoy the Slavic world here (my girlfriend is Croatian as well) and know that I would enjoy Prague because of this. The next 5-20 years also seems like it will be a very exciting time to be in Central and Eastern Europe.

Conversely, given the chance that I may settle down here on a long-term basis, the chance to spend 3-5 years exploring Western Europe and living in Brussels is very appealing.

So, I'm still pretty undecided here. I do appreciate the comments. They really add to my thoughts.

Stradun,

There is an ex pats forum for Belgium - mostly to do with Brussels - on - www.xpats.com - it may be helpful for you to browse through it has every sort of question imaginable asked there - including many from people faced with the same dilemma as you.

The answer depends a great deal more on you than on the two cities.

Brussels obviously has a huge expatriate community, To simplify massively, that splits into the EU bureaucracy and its attendees (like journalists and lobbyists), and, slightly separately, into managers of multinationals, many of whom are there as much because of Brussels' physical centrality as for its status of federal "capital" of the world's largest trading power. In other words, a large proportion of its expats are making hugely advantageous career moves by going there - and many are exceptionally well paid too.

Prague, however pretty, is a career backwater for most people. Its (substantial) expat community is dominated, numerically, by people who, right now, really aren't terribly interested in their careers. Obviously not all: the (expat) country managers for Tesco and Citibank are serious, and highly ambitious, climbers of their companies' worldwide greasy poles, and a Prague posting's respectable - if rarely the mark of a high flyer - in most foreign services and the major media. But there's an awful lot of people who just want to be in a nice place: Venice with a less comprehensible language.

Ultimately, the crucial criterion surely has to be the people surrounding you. Which suit you better?

www.expats.cz

Czech it out...

As a new Fodor-ite living in Prague (how long do I need before I can be upgraded to full-Fodorite status? ), I can add a tiny bit to this discussion, I think.

I agree with the people who have mentioned the transformations in Eastern Europe. From a personal perspective, you need to look at what types of adventures you want to sign up for.

Professionally, I disagree with flanneruk: "Prague, however pretty, is a career backwater for most people. Its (substantial) expat community is dominated, numerically, by people who, right now, really aren't terribly interested in their careers." I can't say that we moved here looking for any professional downtime. If your job opportunities in Brussels and Prague are similar, than I can't imagine that you'll find that statement to be true or applicable in your situation either.

Ultimately, we have found a very supportive and closely-knit expat community here--both social opportunities and through DH's work. That said, you, of course, will have to choose to become involved, etc.

Plenty of people here speak English, but if you don't live right in the middle of an expat neighborhood or in Old Town, you will still get a good taste of the "real people" here in Prague. DH and I opted out of the posher living opportunities and are loving our experiences here.

We have visited Brussels but never lived there, so I can't compare day-to-day living, but here there are no shortages in good food, good beer (and imported, yet inexpensive wine), and good, interesting places to visit both in and out of the city.

We are still figuring out cheap travel to the States, but to other parts of Europe, we seem to be doing okay so far....

Just IMHO.

Life is shorter than we think....
Prague!