Antwerpen, Belgium
Member since
2019Exchange dates | Duration |
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September 29, 2024 - October 06, 2024 | 10 days |
We are in Stockholm for a course, and would love to find a nice home exchange during for this period. We have not yet booked any flights, so we are flexible to come earlier or stay longer. |
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January 01, 2025 - August 31, 2025 | 2 weeks |
Beautiful vintage apartment in the heart of Antwerp
Our recently renovated flat (built 1928) is located in the trendy neighbourhood of Zurenborg, in the center of the city. The apartment is spacious (230m2), light and located on the top floor (5th) of a 'Roaring Twenties'-style building. We have completely restored it in its original state, so when entering you will be transported back in time. From all windows, you have an overview on the city, making it possible to admire the landmarks of Antwerp, such as the Cathedral, the Central Station and the Art-Deco Farmers Tower.
Our home is situated perfectly to visit the city of Antwerp, but also for short or day trips to other European cities. Just 15 minutes on foot will bring you to the majestic Central Station, where you have easy connections to Brussels (35mins), Rotterdam (1 hour), Amsterdam (2 hours), Paris (2 hours), London (3 hours), going back and forth every day.
Close by are many parks (Groen Kwartier, Harmoniepark, Stadspark), restaurants and bars (PAKT), and cultural attractions (City Zoo, Museum for Contemporary Art, Fine Arts Museum). Nevertheless, by taking the elevator back up to the 5th floor, it is possible to separate again from the liveliness of the city and retreat into peace and quiet.
Our Family
- 2 Adults
- 1 Children
- 4 Exchanges made
Occupation
- Visual artist
- Cultural Manager
Our Home
- House Type: Flat
- Floor: 5
- Environment: In the city
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 1
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Total Area: 230 m2
References
In my house
- Pets - Not allowed
- Small children - Allowed
Exchange Types
- Home exchange
Indoor
- Free internet access
- Central heating
- Toys and games
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Clothes dryer
- Television
- Other musical instruments
Outdoor
- Balcony
- Garage / private parking
- Bicycles: 4
Facilities
- No smoking
- Lift/Elevator
- Use/Exchange of car
Our Destination Wish List
- Open to any destination
- United States
- China
- Japan
- Australia
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Norway
- Sweden
- Russia
- Hong Kong
- Finland
- Iceland
- Canada
Spoken Languages
- English
- Français
- Deutsch
- Dutch
Our Neighbourhood
Nearest Airport: Brussels Airport - 30 minutes
As I've mentioned before, we live in a lively but residential area. It is considered to be the center of the Jewish community in Antwerp, so many of our neighbours are orthodox or Chassidic Jews. Behind our apartment building is the recently opened PAKT-site, offering a space to many trendy restaurants, bars, designers and offices, attracting young and entrepreneurial people. Next to it is the beautiful Groen Kwartier (Green Quarters), a 19th century military hospital turned public, hosting luxury housing in the old barracks, a two star restaurant (The Jane), some shops and a beautiful garden and playground. This mix of cultures makes our neighbourhood a perfect starting point to get a feel for the city.
Antwerp is what I would call a 'soft city': relatively small with about 500.000 inhabitants, quite clean and cosy, with plenty of services for tourists and visitors alike, many good bars and restaurants, a big shopping-culture, many cultural activities and historical buildings, all densely packed close to each other. It's easy to get an overview of the city in just a few days, unlike huge metropolitan areas like London or Paris, which is nice if you're just a short time visitor.
Nevertheless, it's easy to get around to neighbouring cities of you want to expand your horizons: Ghent (40 mins), Brussels (35 mins), Bruges (1h30), Liège (2h). There are direct international trains from Antwerp to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Paris and London. It feels like living in the heart of Europe.
In it's essence Antwerp is still a harbour-city, attracting people from all around the world, young and old, rich and poor. Even though the actual harbour has long moved away from the center, it is still very present in the city's culture (and I would advise you to go visit the modern port). Antwerp's assumed cosmopolitanism can sometimes be laughable compared to contemporary mega-cities, it is however a very agreeable place to come into contact with other cultures and ethnicities in a very easy-going way.
Occupation
- Visual artist
- Cultural Manager
Children
- Girl - Age: Baby
Pets
- We do not have pets.
References
This member has completed 4 home exchanges. Those referenced below may contain feedback/impression from its exchange partners: