The Pros and Cons of Living in Bruges

Moving to a new city in Europe and making it your home means that you are going to need to take plenty of time to think about and consider your options. You will want to make sure that your new home is not only suitable for you, but also for anyone else that you may be moving with, such as your family. 

This means that you are going to need to take time to weigh up the pros and cons of your chosen city or country and see whether or not it is going to be the right choice for you and those around you. 

If you are planning to move to Belgium, then you may be considering the city of Bruges as your place to call home, and it has to be said, that there are plenty of pros to life in Bruges. However, just like life in general, regardless of destination, there are also some things to consider when it comes to living in Bruges. Check out our guide below for the pros and cons of living in Bruges.

Pro- It is a beautiful city

Whilst you should never pick somewhere to live simply by the way it looks, you are going to want to know that the city you choose is somewhere that you are going to feel proud to call your own. The entire atmosphere in Bruges is one of historical charm, and this is showcased by the canals and medieval architecture, which are found all around the city. 

This means that even if you have been in Bruges for some time, there is always going to be the chance that you will remember just why you fell in love with the city and what made you choose it to be your new home. 

Con- It does get busy

Considering just how beautiful and historic Bruges is, it makes sense that one of the drawbacks of living here is the fact that you are going to find a variety of tourists also wanting to explore the city and learn more about Belgium. Bruges is a relatively small city, compared to others in Europe, so it can quickly feel somewhat busy. 

As the city itself is a popular tourist destination, there is a good chance, particularly in school holidays, that there is going to be a higher number of people in the city. Not only can this be a pain if you want to move around, but it will also bump up the cost of certain day-to-day expenses.

Pro- It is easy to get around

Living in a city can sometimes be a little overwhelming, and this is true if you have to get around and get to and from work etc. In Bruges, there is a good quality public transport network, which means that you can easily go to other destinations in the local area and go through the city, too. 

It is also worth noting that compared to other European cities, Bruges is small and compact, which means that you are going to find it easy enough to navigate on foot and you are not going to need to worry about how you will be able to manage to get around if you do not drive and you choose not to take one of the public transport links. 

Con- The nightlife can be underwhelming

If you are someone who wants to make sure that you get out and about and spend some time socialising, then you may be disappointed to hear that the nightlife in Bruges might not be quite up to scratch. There are some good bars and places that you can go when the sun goes down, but if you compare this to other cities out there in Europe, then Bruges isn’t quite up there with the rest. 

It is also worth noting that some of the daytime activities in Bruges are targeted more towards older people than the younger generation, which means that if you are younger and you are going to want to make friends and spend time socialising, then Bruges might not be the right choice for you. 

Pro-Bruges has low crime rates

One concern that many people seem to have when it comes to living in a city is the fact that there are always going to be crimes right on your doorstep. Whilst you can never escape crime of some kind, when you choose to live in Bruges, you will find that the crime rates here are much lower than in other cities in Europe.

This means that many people will see Bruges as being somewhat of a “safe city” and feel comfortable being able to move around the city streets, either with others or entirely alone. Of course, any city can come with a risk of crime, therefore, it is always best to be aware of your surroundings and to look out for any potential issues that could come up. 

Con- There is a high tax rate 

As well as there being a higher cost of living in Bruges, due to the tourists that flock there, it is also a city that is recognised as having higher tax rates compared to others. 

This will impact a variety of aspects of life, which means that over time, things that you might not see as expensive, or a luxury when you are living in the UK, will all of sudden become just that in Bruges. This means that it becomes even more important for you to budget, and to think about what you are going to be able to afford whilst you are in Bruges. 

So those are the pros and cons of living in Bruges. Ready to make your move?

No matter why you decide to move to Bruges, one thing is for sure: you are going to want to make your big move as easy as possible for you and your family. This means that you are going to need some expert support to get you where you need to be. 

We understand what it takes to move to a new country, so here at Pinnacle Removals, we can make sure that your move to Bruges is as smooth as possible and you are settled in your new home in no time at all.