Sint-Niklaas, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1916
,
Nomad Score:
58%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sint-Niklaas, a city in East Flanders, Belgium, known for its rich history and vibrant community. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 75,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average internet speed is about 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and Base. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banking options such as KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis, as well as digital banks like Revolut are available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and real estate agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local real estate platforms offer various options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Amigo and local guesthouses provide affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Sint-Niklaas city center offers attractions and accessibility. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The city center or near the train station for easy commuting. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Sint-Niklaas offers a productive environment for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café De Grand Harmonie is popular for its good coffee and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Local Meetups take place regularly at various venues. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Sint-Niklaas Facebook group and local events help connect the community. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available, along with local taxi services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Sint-Niklaas offers bike-sharing options through De Fietsambassade. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is in Oostende, around 1 hour away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa provide international services. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to E17 and E40 highways is nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Sint-Niklaas Station connects to major cities like Antwerp and Ghent. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers single tickets and monthly passes for local transit. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train (SNCB/NMBS) and bus services by De Lijn connect Sint-Niklaas to the surrounding areas. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Nikolaas is the main hospital providing comprehensive healthcare. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Sint-Niklaas offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS are popular gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasbar is a combination of café and laundromat. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Takeaway.com are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local specialty 'Stoverij', a Flemish beef stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Greenway offers various plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pâtisserie Amandine is known for its pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Sint-Niklaas Market on Saturdays is great for local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Colruyt offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center has several bars, including Café De Linde. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Sint-Niklaas offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnbar La Côte serves a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The monthly Braderie has various street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pasta Restaurant Pizzeria La Città serves Mediterranean cuisines. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Sint-Niklaas Town Hall and the St. Nicholas Church are must-see landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Municipal Museum showcases local art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the old market square and historic buildings surrounding it. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Nicholas Church is the main religious site in the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Sint-Niklaas hosts a Christmas market and cultural festivals throughout the year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The city center offers a mix of historical architecture and local culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Victoria Theater hosts various performances and shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Sint-Niklaas Market shows a variety of local crafts and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The local music scene features bars hosting live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals and street art can be found around the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes are available at local culinary schools focusing on Flemish cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local galleries exhibit works from regional artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The vicinity of the town hall reflects rich architectural styles. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Emphasis on the city's manufacturing and trading history is evident in various cultural aspects. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Beervelde Park offers a serene environment close to the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is about an hour away, great for day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The paths along the Waasland Canal are popular for walking and biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The area around the old town center provides picturesque views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Local parks and wetlands around Sint-Niklaas are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Selected areas in local parks permit bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost offers reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | The Phone House provides tech repair services in Sint-Niklaas. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers accommodate table tennis enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like CVO offer Dutch language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Public Library of Sint-Niklaas is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Various community centers offer activities and resources for expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming cafes in the city offer a place for console gaming and activities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino in nearby Knokke offers gaming entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, 6% for primary residence. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on foreign income for eligible individuals. |