Gent/Ghent, Belgium

Ghent sits 8 meters above sea level in Belgium, 20 kilometers from BRU airport, with an oceanic climate that brings mild summers and cool, damp winters. Expats tend to settle in neighborhoods like Patershol and Prinsenhof, where the city's 273 thousand residents create a lively, walkable atmosphere.

Living costs here are reasonable: a one-bedroom in the city centre rents for $1,182/mo, while outside the centre it drops to $893/mo. A three-bedroom in the centre costs $1,811/mo, and outside the centre it is $1,540/mo. For a single adult, the budget tier total including rent is $1,106/mo, the mid-range tier total is $1,733/mo, and the comfortable tier total is $2,290/mo. Excluding rent, a single person spends about $1,110/mo, and a family of four spends $4,001/mo. Utilities run $222/mo, internet $47/mo, and a mobile phone plan $21/mo. A monthly public transport pass is $59/mo, a gym membership $35/mo, an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $22 per person, a mid-range three-course meal for two is $112, and a cappuccino is $4. The average monthly net salary locally is $3,584/mo.

Safety is strong, with a safety index of 85/100 and a crime index of 15/100 (lower is safer). Healthcare quality is rated as excellent, and the air quality index is 35 (lower is better).

For longer stays, the retirement visa program is the Long Stay National Visa (D-visa), and the digital nomad visa is the Belgium Digital Nomad Visa, which requires a minimum monthly income of $765/mo. With an overall expat score of 80/100, a digital nomad score of 82/100, a FIRE score of 71/100, and a retiree score of 72/100, Ghent suits a wide range of lifestyles. English is widely spoken, the expat community is large and active, and the average internet speed is 95 Mbps.