Experience in Mechelen, Belgium by Rianne

What is it like to live in Mechelen? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I really like Mechelen to live in. It is a city but not that big, so everything is within walking distance. In my view, Mechelen keeps the ethos of a village, but it has all the services you can find in a city, like lots of shops, outdoor coffee-houses and markets. I recommend Mechelen to those people who like small cities where it takes 5 minutes to travel by bike to the most important places.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Mechelen?

The student lifestyle is not very lively. Lots of students don't live in Mechelen and go back home after school. But those students who live in Mechelen meet often if they want. There are a few student clubs and, of course, there are cafés where you can meet your friends. For me, Tuesday evenings were the best day of the week because the students threw big parties.

How much does it cost to live in Mechelen?

My room cost €220. I was very lucky to find it because the average rent is €250-400 for a single room in a shared flat. The price of food is decent, depending on which supermarket you choose to go to. In Mechelen, there are lots of supermarkets. If you get around using a bike, you will find the cheapest supermarkets, like Aldi or Lidl, in the outskirts. So it is worth the effort I think.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Mechelen? Is there any advice you can give?

It's not that hard to find nice accommodation in Mechelen. STIP is an organisation from Thomas More University. They have a list of the available rooms at the moment in Mechelen. I recommend having a look at this list. And, as always, don't start looking for accommodation at the last minute.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is the same as elsewhere. They have traditional food like 'vol-au-vent', which is a Belgian common main dish. They usually eat potatoes and vegetables, as well as pasta, and so on. Belgians also have a variety of beers. The one from Mechelen is called Carolus and you can find it everywhere.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Mechelen?

You can't miss St. Rumbold's Cathedral and the big Saturday market at the Grote Markt ('market square'). I also suggest visiting the Vismarkt, the ancient fish market, where there are many bars and restaurants. Vrijbroekpark Park is nice and big enough to play sports as well as to chill out on a bank.

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Is it good to eat out in Mechelen? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I don't eat out often but there is a good Greek restaurant called Zorba. Also, they have an excellent burger bar called Il Cardinale. If you fancy sushi, you can order it and they bring it to your home.

Is the nightlife good in Mechelen? Where is good to go?

If you have a nice group of friends, then Mechelen's nightlife is much more pleasant. During the week you can go to De Prof (a café) and Boesjkameree (a pub), where students give parties. At the weekend you can go to the Vismarkt's cafés, such as Bar Popular and The Golden Fish, which are also open on weekdays. In case you feel like a cocktail, you should go to Barramundo Lounge. You will be able to choose from a variety of cocktails, but they are more expensive. However, you can also order ordinary beverages, like beer.

What advice would you give future students heading to Mechelen?

I would tell them that they should choose Mechelen if they prefer medium-sized towns. Mechelen is not as big as Antwerpen and has a bit fewer residents than Brussels. It takes you a 15-minute train trip to travel from Mechelen to bigger cities in Belgium. Finally, Mechelen is superbly located if you want to travel to Amsterdam or Paris.