Best Areas in Brussels Near International Schools: Expat Family Guide
In Brussels, school choice and neighbourhood choice are inseparable decisions. The city's international school campuses are spread across a wide geography — from Tervuren in the east to Waterloo in the south, from Ixelles in the inner suburbs to Laeken in the north. Where you live will be significantly shaped by which school your children attend, and which school you choose may in turn be influenced by which neighbourhoods suit your lifestyle and budget.
This guide maps the best residential areas for each major school, with typical rental ranges as of 2026 and an honest assessment of what each area is like to live in.
The BSB Corridor: East Brussels and Flemish Brabant
The British School of Brussels sits in Tervuren, accessed via the long, tree-lined avenue that runs east from the EU Quarter through the Forêt de Soignes.
Tervuren
Tervuren is the closest residential option to BSB and the school's address technically sits within the municipality. It offers a quiet, semi-rural character with large gardens, good cycling infrastructure, and the Royal Museum of Central Africa as a local landmark. The commute into Brussels city centre is around 25–35 minutes by car. Monthly rents for a four-bedroom family house in Tervuren run approximately €2,200–€3,500 as of 2026, varying by property size and proximity to the Tervuren park.
Wezembeek-Oppem
Immediately west of Tervuren, Wezembeek-Oppem is one of the most popular addresses for BSB families. It is technically a Flemish (Dutch-speaking) municipality, which affects some administrative matters, but large numbers of international families live here comfortably. Properties tend to be substantial family houses with gardens. Monthly rents typically run €2,000–€3,500 for a four-bedroom family home.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
The most prestigious of the two Woluwe communes, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is inside the Brussels-Capital Region and offers excellent transport links, good local amenities, and some of the highest rental prices in Brussels. Average rents for one-bedroom properties in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre are among the highest in the capital (around €1,576 for all flat sizes, reflecting very high demand), and family houses push significantly higher — €2,500–€4,500 per month for a four-bedroom property. BSB's school bus network covers Woluwe well, and the drive to school is typically 15–20 minutes.
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
The sister commune of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert is slightly more affordable and still very well served by BSB's bus. Average rents are a notch below Woluwe-Saint-Pierre at approximately €1,419 for all flat sizes. Family houses typically run €2,000–€3,500 per month.
The ISB Corridor: South-East Brussels
The International School of Brussels is located in Watermael-Boitsfort, a distinctive southern Brussels commune characterised by a mix of Art Nouveau villas and low-density woodland-edge housing.
Watermael-Boitsfort
Living in Watermael-Boitsfort puts families within walking or cycling distance of ISB — a genuine advantage if parents want to avoid a daily car run. The commune has a village-like atmosphere despite being within the Brussels-Capital Region. Monthly rents for family homes run approximately €2,200–€3,800 depending on size and garden.
Uccle
Uccle is the largest of the southern Brussels communes and home to a substantial expat community. It hosts the European School Brussels I (on Avenue du Vert Chasseur), the Lycée Français Jean Monnet (around 2,650 pupils), and is within ISB's bus network. The Bois de la Cambre — a large urban park — borders the commune. Monthly rents for family homes in Uccle average €2,000–€4,000+ for four-bedroom properties, with significant variation based on proximity to the park and property type.
Ixelles (Elsene)
Ixelles is a vibrant inner-city commune popular with international families who want an urban environment. European School Brussels III (on the Boulevard du Triomphe) sits within Ixelles, making this area natural for EEB3-assigned EU families. ISB's bus also covers much of Ixelles. Monthly rents for family apartments in Ixelles run approximately €2,000–€3,500 for three to four bedrooms. Properties near Châtelain and Avenue Louise are at the top end.
Rhode-Saint-Genèse (Sint-Genesius-Rode)
Just south of Uccle at the edge of the Brussels-Capital Region, Rhode-Saint-Genèse is a leafy Flemish municipality popular with international families who want larger homes and garden space. It is convenient for ISB via the school bus. Monthly rents for large family houses typically run €1,800–€3,200.
The Waterloo Corridor: South Brabant
St. John's International School sits in Waterloo, in the province of Brabant Wallon — technically outside the Brussels-Capital Region.
Waterloo
Waterloo offers large detached houses with substantial gardens at prices noticeably lower than equivalent properties inside Brussels itself. Families with children at St. John's often cite the combination of school proximity and property value as the key attraction. Monthly rents for four-bedroom family houses in Waterloo typically run €1,800–€3,000. The downside is the car-dependent commute into Brussels city centre, typically 30–45 minutes by car depending on traffic, with limited public transport connectivity.
Lasne, Ohain, and Rosières
The villages surrounding Waterloo — Lasne, Ohain, Rosières — offer an even more rural character with large grounds and the kind of equestrian and outdoor lifestyle that suits some internationally-mobile families well. Rental prices can be competitive for the property size on offer.
European Schools: Campus-Dependent Neighbourhoods
If you are assigned to a European School, your campus determines which neighbourhood makes most sense:
| Campus | Best Nearby Areas |
|---|---|
| EEB1 (Uccle) | Uccle, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Forest |
| EEB2 (Woluwe) | Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Etterbeek |
| EEB3 (Ixelles) | Ixelles, Etterbeek, Auderghem |
| EEB4 (Laeken) | Laeken, Jette, Ganshoren, Schaerbeek |
Note that EEB4 in Laeken is in the north of Brussels and has a somewhat different character from the more typically expat-heavy southern and eastern suburbs. Families assigned to EEB4 sometimes live in the south and commute, relying on the school bus.
Neighbourhood Summary Table
| Area | Key School(s) | Character | Approx. Family Home Rent (4-bed, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tervuren | BSB | Suburban, leafy, semi-rural | €2,200–€3,500/month |
| Wezembeek-Oppem | BSB | Suburban, Flemish commune | €2,000–€3,500/month |
| Woluwe-Saint-Pierre | BSB, EEB2 | Prestigious, urban-suburban | €2,500–€4,500/month |
| Woluwe-Saint-Lambert | BSB, EEB2 | Urban-suburban, well-served | €2,000–€3,500/month |
| Watermael-Boitsfort | ISB | Village-like, woodland-edge | €2,200–€3,800/month |
| Uccle | ISB, EEB1, Lycée JM | Large, diverse, Bois de la Cambre | €2,000–€4,000+/month |
| Ixelles | ISB, EEB3 | Urban, vibrant, central | €2,000–€3,500/month |
| Rhode-Saint-Genèse | ISB | Leafy, Flemish border | €1,800–€3,200/month |
| Waterloo | St. John's | Suburban-rural, value-for-space | €1,800–€3,000/month |
Rental figures are approximate ranges as of 2026 and vary significantly by property size, condition, and micro-location.
Transport Considerations
Brussels has notoriously variable traffic. Rush-hour congestion on the main arterials (the E411 south, the ring road, and the E40 east) can add 20–40 minutes to what looks like a short journey. Before committing to a neighbourhood, trial the journey to the school at school-run time, not at midday. If two parents are working and both need to commute in different directions, the school bus becomes extremely valuable.
How Global Investments Can Help
Choosing where to live in Brussels is a significant decision with long-term financial implications. Property in the south-east suburbs — Watermael, Uccle, Woluwe — has historically held its value well and offers good rental returns given the consistent demand from relocating expat families. Global Investments advises internationally-mobile clients on property acquisition, rental strategy, and long-term wealth management in Brussels and across our international markets.
Speak to our team about property in Belgium and beyond, or read our full guide to international schools in Brussels for the school landscape overview.
Rental figures are indicative estimates based on 2026 market data and vary by property, size, and sub-location. Verify with local letting agents before budgeting. This guide does not constitute financial or investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which Brussels neighbourhood is best for families at BSB?
Tervuren itself is the closest option, followed by Wezembeek-Oppem and the Woluwe communes (Saint-Pierre and Saint-Lambert). All offer a suburban feel with good bus access to BSB. Expect monthly rents of €2,000–€3,500+ for a four-bedroom family home.
Where do most ISB families live?
ISB families cluster in Watermael-Boitsfort (walking distance from the school), Uccle, and southern Ixelles. The school bus network extends further afield. Monthly rents for family homes in these areas run approximately €2,000–€4,000+.
Is Waterloo part of Brussels?
Waterloo is not part of the Brussels-Capital Region — it is in Brabant Wallon, about 20km south. It is popular with families at St. John's International School and offers large detached houses with gardens at lower prices than central Brussels. The trade-off is a longer car commute into the city.
Can expat families live in central Brussels near a school?
Central Brussels municipalities (Ixelles, Etterbeek, Saint-Gilles) work for some families, particularly those with children at European School Brussels III in Ixelles or the Lycée Jean Monnet in Uccle. The more suburban schools (BSB in Tervuren, St. John's in Waterloo) are best served by living in the surrounding suburbs.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.