Areas and Suburbs in Antwerp

The best places to live in Antwerp

Deciding where to live in the city will be one of the most important decisions that new arrivals to Antwerp will make. Various factors will need to be taken into account, including budget, proximity to work and public transport connections.

Most expats seek property near the R10 ring road that circles the city centre. The districts around a series of streets called De Leien are also popular. These form sections of the N1 road from Brussels in the south through Antwerp’s city centre and north to the Dutch border. The benefits of living in one of these areas include easy access to transport infrastructure and a wide variety of shopping and entertainment options, although properties are expensive and traffic congestion can be a problem.

On the other hand, outer suburbs such as Deurne and Zurenborg offer a good range of accommodation options for expats. Despite their distance from the city centre, public transport links are generally sufficient, making a car unnecessary in most cases. 

These are some of the most popular areas and suburbs in Antwerp. 

Popular expat areas in Antwerp

Zuid

A redeveloped museum district in the city centre, Zuid is popular among young residents who want to live near the city’s nightlife and restaurants. Expats who live in this riverside area are likely to have pleasant views from their apartment windows, and there are plenty of galleries, museums, monuments and designer stores to keep them busy. Getting around on public transport won’t be a problem, but it can get busy and may not be well suited to families.

Zurenborg

Hugging the R10 to the southeast of the city centre, Zurenborg is best known for its classic architecture. The area is split by a railway line. The northwest section has a village atmosphere that attracts younger residents, while the southeastern section boasts quirky townhouses.

The area’s aesthetic appeal is its biggest attraction, and residents have easy access to several modes of public transport. It’s also far enough from the city centre to be pretty quiet, but not so far that there aren’t plenty of things to see and do. The biggest downside is that property in the area is usually quite expensive.

Family-friendly areas in Antwerp

Den Dam

Once inhabited by dockworkers, Den Dam in the city centre is now a multicultural residential area. It retains a little bit of its edgy character and is ideal for those employed in the industrial areas to the north of Antwerp, without being too far from the city centre. Expats with children will enjoy spending time at the Park Spoor Noord, a rejuvenated railyard with sports facilities and cycling paths. The area’s strategic location is probably its biggest plus, but some find it less appealing than the beautiful tree-lined streets in many other areas of the city.

Deurne

Deurne is best known for being home to Rieverenhof, the city’s largest park. This area primarily has townhouses and apartments, but there are also a few houses to rent. Its cultural attractions include museums, monuments and events. Public transport links are good, as is the cycling infrastructure. The Albert Canal area can get highly congested, especially along Bischoppenhoflaan and around the stadium.