Sint-Niklaas, Belgium ๐ง๐ช
#1916
51.160551, 4.157455
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Sint-Niklaas is a city located in East Flanders, Belgium, known for its vibrant community and cultural heritage. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximate population is around 75,000 residents. |
๐ป Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 50 Mbps, suitable for remote work. |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 EUR โ 1.07 USD; major banks include KBC and ING. |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Tap water is drinkable and meets EU standards. |
๐ Power | Electricity is 230V, 50Hz with Type C/E sockets. |
๐ถ SIM Card | Main mobile providers are Proximus, Orange, and Base. |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | KBC, ING, and Revolut are popular banking choices among expats. |
๐ Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com offer numerous short-term rental options. |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Affordable lodgings include Hotel Elisabeth and various hostels. |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | Space for Creatives, providing an inspiring environment for entrepreneurs. |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Cafรฉ De Markies is popular for remote work with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
๐ผ Networking Events | Meetups at local bars and cafes arranged via Facebook and Meetup.com. |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Regular expat gatherings organized through local expat groups on Facebook. |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Use Uber or Bolt for convenient transportation around the city. |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Biking is popular; local shops offer rental bikes like Fietspunt. |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Oostende Beach is approximately 50 minutes away by train. |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates flights from nearby airports. |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa are major international carriers servicing Brussels. |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Well-connected via E17 and E40 highways. |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Sint-Niklaas Railway Station serves as the main transit hub. |
๐ Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day passes and monthly cards for bus travel. |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Nearby cities can be reached by train (NMBS) or bus (De Lijn). |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | AZ Nikolaas Hospital is the main healthcare facility in Sint-Niklaas. |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga studio Atma offers various classes for all levels. |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS Fitness are popular gym choices. |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Laundromat services are available at Wash & Go. |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats are commonly used for food delivery. |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local dish ASPIC (gelatin meat dish) for an authentic taste. |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like De Groentekorf offer great plant-based meals. |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Visit Chocolaterie Vermeulen for exquisite Belgian chocolates. |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Weekly farmers' market at the city square for affordable local produce. |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular online marketplaces. |
๐ Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo offers grocery delivery alongside restaurant food. |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center has several pubs and bars for nightlife. |
๐ป Local Brewery | Sint-Niklaas has small breweries like Brouwerij Het Anker. |
๐ท Wine Bars | Try La Maison des Vins for a curated selection of wines. |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Street food can be found at festivals and events in the city. |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Pizzeria Trattoria offer Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | The historic St. Nicholas Church is a must-visit landmark. |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | Museum van de Stenen statues offers local exhibitions. |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Visit the City Hall of Sint-Niklaas, a historical building. |
๐ Religious Sites | St. Nicholas Church is a prominent religious site in the city. |
๐ Annual Events | Sint-Niklaas hosts an annual Christmas market attracting many visitors. |
๐จ Cultural Districts | The central area has vibrant murals and local art on display. |
๐ญ Theater Venues | Theaterzaal Sint-Niklaas hosts various performances throughout the year. |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Weekly market on Wednesday draws locals and visitors alike. |
๐ผ Music Scene | Cafes and bars frequently host live music events and performances. |
๐จ Street Art | Street art can be found in various alleys around the city. |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Local cooking school offers classes on Belgian cuisine. |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Galerie Karo displays works by local artists. |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | Exploring the city hall and surrounding buildings provides a glimpse of history. |
๐ด Local Heritage | The city celebrates its Flemish heritage through various cultural events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Nearby parks like Park Jozef De Smet offer green spaces for relaxation. |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is a 1-hour drive away for nature enthusiasts. |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | The Sint-Niklaas biking route offers lovely trails for cyclists. |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Various viewpoints along the river offer picturesque scenes. |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Notable birdwatching can be done at nearby wetlands. |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in local parks allow for designated bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost and DHL both offer reliable delivery services here. |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Zoekshop do tech repairs. |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Sports centers have table tennis facilities available. |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | Local institutes offer Dutch, French, and English language classes. |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Sint-Niklaas has a public library, the Bibliotheek Sint-Niklaas, perfect for studying. |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | Various community centers offer cultural activities and classes. |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | Gaming cafes like GameZone provide a social space for gamers. |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Spa offers a gaming experience nearby. |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ2,900 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = โฌ116,000) |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ2,200 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = โฌ88,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ2,600 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = โฌ156,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ2,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = โฌ120,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ2,500 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = โฌ200,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ1,900 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = โฌ152,000) |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend withholding tax is 30%. |
๐ฆ Tax System | Belgian tax system is based on worldwide income. |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
๐งพ VAT | Standard VAT rate is 21%. |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Belgium has strict CFC rules. |
๐ Property Tax | Property tax is based on cadastral income in Flanders. |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 10% (6% for primary residence). |