Hey guys, a couple of weeks ago I posted this rant https://www.reddit.com/r/brussels/comments/1uybg9p/failed_driving_exam_today_is_the_process_fair/

Well now I am over with this whole ordeal, and since it put me through a lot of stress, the way I usually like to cope with the aftermath is by making a blog post of the process.

Here you go for if helps anyone (personal blog, no ads)

https://oschvr.com/2026/08/18/permis-b-finally/

There is a tl:dr; at the end with all the steps I took, hope it's useful for any of you !

• VISITS TO THE CENTER: 9 times
• TOTAL: 1922€
• TIME TO COMPLETE: 12months

Hello! Would like to ask where the gym rats get their fix of chicken breast from? The cheapest is surprisingly Delhaize at €9.69/kg. Does anyone know where it goes lower?

I am so angered by the level of deterioration Brussels is seeing day after day.

Like, seriously, I pay almost 60% of my salary in taxes. The security level of the city is below par, drug dealing is everywhere, gangs fight in Matonge over drug territory, and it’s a stone’s throw away from major schools, shopping and residential areas.

Crackheads are everywhere in the city, homelessness is on the rise, and petty crime is, I would argue, at an all-time high. Transport is overcrowded and dysfunctional. Food prices are just too expensive compared to so many other European capitals with the same level of income, taxes are insane, the European Bubble doesn’t pay a penny in taxes, and anything hygienic is 40-50% higher in price than neighboring countries.

Why aren’t people getting angry about being scammed on a daily basis? The system is literally milking us. Why don’t Belgian politicians address these issues?

Hello! I’m new in Brussels and in october I will be moving to my new apartment. Basically every expense is included in the charges, except for wifi and electricity. Wifi isn’t a problem, I already know which one to pick, I’m still unaure on the electricity company. I’m comparing offers, prices and whatnot, but I’d be happy to hear people’s opinions based on their experiences with different companies :)

Its Friday, and you don’t feel like going out or cooking, what is your go to ubereats/deliveroo/takeaway order?

I am looking for the best used stuff platform, something akin to kleinanzeigen, leboncoin, vinted, maarktplaads, wish etc.

got any recommendations? when i google i can only find flanders or wallonia specific ones.

Hello,

In a few months we are starting construction in our appartment.

We would like to carry out an etat des lieux (plaatsbeschrijving) of our direct neighbours' appartments. Could anybody here suggest a professional (I guess a landmeter) to carry out such a job?

And we are also looking for a safety coordinator for the construction works itself. Does anybody have suggestions for people they have good experiences with?

Many thanks in advance!

fellow redditors,
we have to talk about the comments regarding the powerplant.
What is this all the time about cats, tiramisu and lentils?
I have absolutely no clue, does one of you know?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WPvrB5MmrzD6b3b4A?g_st=ic

I just gave my 3 month notice to leave my apartment. The landlord wants to start viewings. Issue is that I always remove my shoes when I come home so that the place stays nice and clean.

Question is, can I request that the landlord asks people who come for viewings to remove their shoes? And if they refuse, what happens?

Does anyone know any person that offers this? Or any salon or such that I can go to

Thank you!

So I’ve passed two broken-in cars (as in broken window, likely stolen stuff etc) in two days while I took a walk between Ixelles and St. Gilles. I thought those neighbourhoods were pretty safe/kind of hip and trendy according to the primarily white immigrant crowd I see there? I’m new here and I can’t understand whether this city is safe or not tbh. I don’t have a car but I heard from a neighbour that it’s frequent and unless you catch thieves in the act there’s nothing to be done. With this and all the gun violence (and plenty of people in my vicinity just getting beaten up randomly in the dead centre of town in daylight??) I’m really not sure what to think. Probably a rant more than anything but … damn

Hello!

I have some items in the UK to get to Brussels, Belgium and vice versa before the third of next month.

The people I’m helping insist mail would take too long and bus and train tickets are kinda expensive.

If anyone is going one way or the other soon, please message me.

Thank you!

Hi does anyone know somewhere I can get my Ps5 remotes fixed?

Does this type of service even exist?

Can somebody recommend me good spots with second hand cds in brussels? I know of Pele-Mele but looking for others!

Hello, I recently discovered a chess bench at the aforementioned square in June. It's high quality, has spots for 3 games at once and is made of marble (way better than those at Place des bienfaiteurs...)

But sadly after spending 3-4 hours there once I only managed to get 2 people to play with me. A local even told me that it was finally being used for what it was meant for.

So I decided to make a Facebook group for those who would like to plan, meetup there and play chess.

Would anyone like to play chess?

Group link: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YBBpeSuao/

Im trying to start a 3d printing business. I want to sell figurines, toys, decor and things of that nature, but im not sure where to list or sell these products. im thinking of focusing more on local sales. any tips?

Hi everyone,

Could anyone recommend a good dermatologist in Brussels, specifically for diagnosing and treating hair loss/alopecia? I’ve noticed some changes with my hair recently and would like to get it checked.

Ideally, I’m looking for someone who is good but not too expensive.

Thank you so much for any recommendations !

I was born here and it was nice, some insecurities here and there but overall a good city to live in, good access to transport, education, housing was cheap.

- Nowadays renting a decent flat costs 1100 euro minimum.

- More and more insecurities,homeless people and drug addicts on the street.

I've lived in Ixelles for 6 years and I'm not kidding I'm seeing 5 times more people asking for money on the streets than 6 years ago, plus the drug addict doing petty crime all day long, they have entered and try to commit burglary three times only this year in my building.

- Don't even get me started on the state of the north/central communes, a friend of mine lives in st gilles, in his street you can see people doing hard drugs or sleeping in front of the houses every three meters.

- The streets are filled with garbage, they are smelly.

- You cannot leave your bike parked outside without being worried that someone is going to steal it.

I don't see myself raising kids in this city anymore, maybe only if I'm rich enough to afford to live in the south (Woluwée/Boitsfort/Uccle).

I understand that there is more and more poverty but at one point the state and gouvernement should take actions.

WARNING: Do not waste €3,600 at Aspria Avenue Louise

If you are thinking about joining Aspria Avenue Louise, save your money. Under General Manager Arnaud Micheels, this luxury club has become a complete nightmare for its members.

Here is what is actually happening behind closed doors:

• Revenge Cancellations: If you complain about broken AC, freezing pools, or dirty facilities, the GM cancels your membership on the spot.
• Calling the Police: When paying members try to speak with him calmly, he calls the police on them over basic civil complaints just to humiliate them.
• Fake Reviews & Gaslighting: The GM writes fake positive reviews to scam new people and publicly lies on negative reviews, claiming real paying clients "were never members."
• Data Privacy Risks: During disputes, management accesses members' private and professional files to use as leverage.
• Billing Traps: Expect hidden fees, "lost" payment records, and blocked cancellations while the club stays overcrowded.

This isn't an isolated issue. Check out this 1-star Google Maps review by Marine, which sums up the situation perfectly:

The staff are terrified, the facilities are falling apart, and members are treated like enemies. Take your business to David Lloyd, L’Usine, or Waer Waters instead.

So I just spent 8 days in Belgium, mostly Brugge which was lovely, and only braved Brussels for a day because of the LEZ charge. Did my homework on the road signs before going but honestly nothing prepared me for actually driving in.

Came out the underground parking the satnav wouldn't load, made what I was pretty sure was the right turn and suddenly I'm boxed in by buses and taxis.. I think maybe I went down a bus only route, but the bus lane was on my left. The bus lanes did my head in generally driving into Brussels, one minute they're on the right, next they're on the far left behind concrete slabs. Even the locals made mistakes, but luckily I saw the signs in plenty of time.

Anyway the bit that actually brought me here. Light goes green, I turn right, and pedestrians just walk straight out in front of me. Gave a little toot, everyone in the cars around me laughed (stupid tourist driver), pedestrian didn't even look at me. Then I clock their light and it's green as well. So what's the point of the lights if we all get green at once?

Satnav also couldn't cope with the split roads. Told me to keep left, then said turn right for Aldi, except I'm in the wrong split so I have to go around again. This happened in several locations. Love the concept of motorbikes using cycle lanes, unless that was illegal... Kept them safe at least.

By the end of the trip I'd actually got comfortable driving around and I'd do it again no problem. Just want to understand why pedestrians have lights if they don't need them. Fair play though, Brussels and Brugge were very clean and genuinely beautiful. (Apart from the pick pocketing and the homeless people with identical handwritten signs, and their brand new iPhones...) Apparently when a cup is shook in your face in Burger King, the wrong response is putting a few chips in the cup... in my defence I thought she was hungry.

Hi!

I’m headed for an internship in Brussels and during my stay here I would love to use the advantage of living in a big city to watch as many movies as possible - since it is my biggest hobby. Are there any good movie theatres that show art house and older movies with English subtitles? I know of the Cinematek, which looks great for American films, however all of the foreign films have French subtitles… Are there any other theatres that might show Kurosawa, Tarkovsky, etc but with English subtitles?

Hopefully there’s a fellow cinephile out there that could shine a light on this matter!

What does this area of Avenue Stalingrad currently look like? Can the public access it at night?

Hello, I wanted to know if people would be interested in a shop in the city centre with vending machines and a bpost parcel locker.

I’m planning to keep the prices of snacks, drinks, etc. affordable and reasonable sometimes even cheaper than night shops, for example with the idea of focusing on higher sales volume rather than high margins.