Christian, yes, the bubble might not be the best description, but it sure feels like one for some of us as it contains most the things you need in terms of restaurants, bars, stores, cinema, etc. = you “don’t” have to go anywhere else cause you’ll find it within Ixelles. But I of course like St Gilles very much as well, as it is a really nice area.

My favourite place in Ixelles is definitively Beer Mania, which is a store/bar with around 400 different types of Belgian beers(!)…

It is lively, mixed and beyond any description or generalisation, as there are huge difference even if you just walk a few hundred metres, say away north or south from Place Flagey for example. And there are quite a few Belgians living in XL as well.

The real safe havens for well off EU or prudent expats are the better parts of Etterbeek and everything East of Merode (Woluwe etc.), ok some say they live there because it’s greener…..

But the best part of Brussels is for me and always has been Saint Gilles between the Port de Halle and Ma Campage.

I’d suggest also St. Gilles and the areas around place Flagey as a good alternative to the Ixelles-Trone area. For those who can spend a little more and are not afraid of public transport I would strongly reccomend Chatelain. It is a beatiful district full of bars, restaurants and good cultural life.
On the other hand I wouldn’t reccomend living in the historical centre of Brussels, it is messy and tendentially more disorganised in comparison to the rest of the city. It is also nightmarish to register to the Commune of Brussels 1000.

Concerning neighbourhood, I – as always – have to promote 1210 Saint Josse! It is not as poshy as Ixelles, but if you want to find affordable housing in walking distance from the EU-quarter and the city center it is a good option.