It has been now five months since my return to the United States from Brussels. I’m slowly getting settled into my life in Washington, DC. Many friends have asked me which city I like best and how can I compare. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to live in both the capital of the United States and the European Union. On the surface things may look slightly similar whether it is the suited people coming out of the Schuman or Foggy Bottom metro armed with an agenda. Both cities serve as a rally point for a diverse set of expatriates working at embassies, international organizations, and private businesses. Additionally, both cities can be very transient due to the jobs that are offered in the area.
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| Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels |
I was under the impression that living back in the United States was going to be more economical. I recall my wild shopping sprees when I visited the US for work or play. If my goal was to save, I picked the wrong city to live. As I began to look for places to live, I noticed rental properties are 50-60% more expensive than in Brussels. Living in Place Brugmann in Brussels (compare to Logan Circle) cost me a 50% less of what the going rate is for a one-bedroom apartment in that area. I ended up settling for Bloomingdale, an up and coming neighborhood in Northwest DC. For those who know Brussels, I compare it to North Ixelles: up and coming with some dodgy spots.
Along with the expensive real estate, comes the dining. DC has been gaining national attention for the surge of great restaurants with famous chefs but the prices (especially if you add wine) seem to be much higher than the Euro capital. A bottle of wine starts at $30 compared to most restaurants in Brussels where it starts at 18€. A beer in any brasserie in Brussels will cost you 3-4 €. The only time you will find those prices for beer or wine at a respectable establishment in DC is during Happy Hour. … And you must not forget to tip! I had become used to the service charge being added to the price of the food and drink and not being coerced to give a 20% tip. Between real estate and entertainment, DC is much more expensive than Brussels. Aside from the 50% I save in auto/property insurance, I am definitely not saving on much else (and let me not get started on the high prices of vegetables).
I give points to DC for its public transportation system. Taking the metro, tram, or bus is Brussels could turn into an odyssey at times. I recall waiting for the bus for a hour to arrive on a rainy day to realize there was a grève (a strike). Grève also seems to be some sort of national sport in Belgium. During the summer, buses smell and if you end up on the wrong tram line you risk encountering a dirty drunk Bruxellois or a group of young kids harassing women. Maybe it’s my usual metro line (Yellow) but I feel very safe in the Metro in DC. It runs on time, very clean, and friendly staff. I also noticed when there is a delay, the management does a decent job of communicating it to the riders. For those who do complain about the DC metro, trust me, there is worse!
I have also noticed people in DC are very friendly. When I first moved to Brussels I thought people were mean to me because I barely spoke the language or I was a foreigner. I quickly came to realize after meeting many locals that is just the way it is. Very short pleasantries and minimal customer service. It is nice to get service with a smile, especially in my neighborhood establishments such as Big Bear Cafe, Shaw Tavern, and Baccio Pizzeria.
To compare these two cities is like apples and oranges. It is hard to decide which one I like better. There are days I miss so many things about Brussels: outdoor markets, great architecture, drinking wine at the park, and delicious food. Then there are things I love about DC: positive mentality, sunny skies, clean city, and the convenience of living in a place where things are open late and on Sundays! For now I shall continue to get settled into my new city and get my Belgian fix through Hoegaardens and Cote d’Or.
