If you're planning to move to Namur, you'll need to find accommodation in advance. Unlike other cities with high rents and little choice, it's straightforward to find accommodation in Namur. Here's where to look and what you need to know about real estate in Namur.
About Namur
Namur is the capital of the province of Namur and Wallonia. It consists of 25 districts: Beez, Belgrade, Boninne, Bouge, Champion, Wallonia, Cognelée, Daussoulx, Dave, Erpent, Flawinne, Gelbressée, Jambes, Lives-sur-Meuse, Loyers, Malonne, Marche-les-Dames, Naninne, Saint-Servais, Saint-Marc, Suarlée, Temploux, Vedrin, Wépion, and Wierde. The province is divided into three administrative districts: the Arrondissements of Dinant, Namur, and Philippeville.
If you'd like to live in the central urban area, you should know that it naturally rests in a basin formed by the Meuse and Sambre rivers. The Citadelle de Namur (or the citadel of Namur) was originally a fortress built where these two rivers meet and sit high atop rocky cliffs. You'll find the Cardinal Mercier district, one of the most famous. Not only is it very close to the city center, but it's also right by the University of Namur and Namur Station.
In Namur, you'll find many small shops for clothes, food, crafts, school supplies, and more. There are also restaurants, cafes, museums, theaters, galleries, and other tourist attractions. The downtown area is specially made for pedestrians, so you'll find it very pleasant to spend your afternoons there.
To shop at larger supermarkets, you must go to the city's outskirts to find them. You should also know that most stores are open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, and banks and administrative buildings are open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. In addition, they're closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Where to look for help in Namur
There's nothing easy in finding accommodation upon moving to a new country. However, the internet is resourceful, and it's effortless to spot neighborhoods and accommodations you like and call the agency or the landlord. It can be good to join Facebook groups, as there are several for accommodations in Namur.
If you already have a network of friends and family in Belgium, use it. Word of mouth can sometimes be miraculous! This is especially true if your network is online, as word can travel fast. Before you know it, you'll have a connection to housing in Namur.
Real estate agencies usually know all the new accommodations available. Namur is no different. Therefore, we highly recommend that you contact them upon moving to Namur. It's also more convenient for administrative papers in a foreign country.
If you're already in Namur, keep an eye open for any sign displaying “à louer” (“to rent” in French). You can then determine whether you like the local neighborhood, and if you do, you should jot down the contact information so you can reach out once you get home.
Finally, shops are good places to look for rental offers. Most landlords advertise their properties in local shops, so be on the lookout for shop corkboards.
Temporary accommodations in Namur
Need somewhere to stay before you get into your place of residence? It would be best if you didn't worry because Namur is a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs around.
Your cheapest option is hostels. However, you're limited on choices here, as the only one in this city is Hostel Namur. If you stay here, you'll get a breathtaking view of the rivers and the citadel. You'll have choices of double rooms, family rooms, or dormitories; they have 93 beds and 23 rooms. Their rooms accommodate two to five people, and you'll get free Wi-Fi, lockers, and even a private shower and washbasin in each room. The dormitories have communal showers and bathrooms. Staying in a hostel might be cheaper, but there is a limit of 7 nights, and you have to wait four weeks between successive stays, which can make things difficult if you haven't found more permanent accommodations yet.
In this case, you might want to look at hotels. The good news is there are plenty scattered throughout Namur, so you can choose the most conveniently located and budget-friendly one without worry. Depending on the time of year you arrive and which hotel you stay in, you should be able to find rooms for around €60 to over €100.
You should also consider staying in an Airbnb to get a glimpse into local life. You can rent anything as simple as an apartment to something as fancy as an entire cottage or guesthouse. These might cost a bit more, but you'll get a unique look into how locals live.
An alternative to the above is staying in an aparthotel or serviced apartment. You'll get to stay in a fully furnished apartment with a kitchenette and laundry machine, so it's as close to living in an actual apartment. However, you won't have to worry about doing chores because the staff will come clean up for you. You'll also usually get free Wi-Fi and parking, so you can research your apartment options, go for viewings, and then come back without paying parking rates.
If you'd like to go off the beaten path and enjoy nature, there are several campsites in Namur. They include Camping Trieux, Camping Little Cortil, Camping Le Douaire, Le Pommier Rustique, Camping Le Pachy, and many other campsites. Some are more remote, but it can be worth it to experience Namur's natural beauty while seeking more permanent accommodations closer to the city center.
Student accommodation in Namur
There's only one university in the local area: the University of Namur. This university has over 500 residential units for its students. Not only are they for students, but they're also split up into women, men, and community/group houses. There are also project “kots”, private student rooms reserved for those who need to work together on a project. This allows them to live and work more efficiently.
If you'd like off-campus housing, then you can search for private apartments. You should keep an eye out on the university's website, as they'll post an online kot database between June 1 and September 30. There are other options, such as intergenerational housing (more on this later).
You can also stay in the hostel we mentioned earlier. However, it's not an optimal long-term solution and is probably best for staying in for a few days or weeks before you get your kot.
Accommodations in Namur
In most places, the only real options you might have are rooms, studios, and apartments. However, it's also common to rent out entire houses in Namur. We'll explain each option in more detail below.
Rooms are best for students and people who don't have a big budget. It's also ideal for single people since you'll have a space to yourself and little privacy outside of it. Expect rooms to be around 15 to 20 square meters big. It's the cheapest choice, so you can always make it a temporary option and save up to rent out one of the other choices below.
Next is the studio, which is a living space with no walls. This means you'll quickly get from the kitchen to the living room and bedroom. There's also little privacy, so it's best for single people or couples. These are 40 to 50 square meters more significant than in other Belgian cities.
The next step up is a one-bedroom apartment. These are slightly bigger, coming in at around 60 square meters large. It's also widespread to see two-bedroom apartments for rent, giving you over 100 square meters to work with.
Lastly, you'll also see houses for rent. Many aren't central, but they'll give you lots of space. A four-bedroom house of 200 square meters will be perfect for a young family, as you'll get a room for your kids, and you can easily commute to work in central Namur if needed.
You can rent out these places either unfurnished or furnished. You'll find more unfurnished homes than furnished. But if you need the latter, it's not impossible. Just be prepared to search for longer and to pay more, as the landlords will want to be compensated for supplying everything inside. You'll also have to be extra careful because if you damage anything, it'll come out of your deposit.
Unfurnished shell apartments
Be careful of unfurnished shell apartments. These will be attractive because they're cheaper than unfurnished and furnished places, but that's because there's a price to pay.
There are no furniture, beds, TVs, stoves, washing machines, light fixtures, carpets, or curtains. You'll have to buy everything yourself, but you'll get to bring it to your next residence after you finish your contract.
Alternative accommodations in Namur
Are you looking for something unconventional? Then, you'll be pleased to learn that Namur offers alternative accommodations.
For one, they offer intergenerational housing. This is specifically for students and young workers, although families can join this program. Basically, you're paired up with a senior citizen, which can be a mutually beneficial housing situation. Seniors won't feel as lonely, and young people will be able to access suitable housing.
Rents in Namur
According to the last barometer from Immovlan.be, a 200-square-meter house costs approximately €1,100 monthly. Charges and taxes are not included.
As for an apartment in Namur, a one-bedroom of 50 square meters will cost upwards of €700, and for two-bedrooms at around 120 square meters, it'll cost you approximately €900 to €1,000 a month. If you'd like to rent out a studio instead, this will cost you around €600 to €700 for a 50 square meter studio.
And at the cheapest end of the spectrum are rooms. They'll cost between €300 to €450 for a 20 square meter room.
How to rent an apartment in Namur
Most people contact landlords by phone, although email has become more acceptable, especially since Namur has so many young people and expats. Once you've expressed interest, they need to describe the property to you and then give you a viewing if you request one since it's your right.
When you're at the viewing, you need to inspect the property carefully. Ensure all fixtures are working; if not, bring it to the landlord to see when they'll get it fixed.
After viewing the property, you'll sign a contract if you want to move in. Both you and the landlord must sign and date this contract, and each of you must receive a copy. Both of you will also have to go through the apartment's inventory, even if it's unfurnished. That way, before you leave, you can review the list together. Anything not in good condition will be deducted from your deposit before it's returned to you.
Registering the contract within two months of signing is your landlord's responsibility, so don't let them bully you into doing it yourself. If they fail to register it a month after the initial two, you're allowed by the law not to give notice or compensation if you want to leave. Otherwise, you'll have to provide at least three months' notice, depending on your contract type.
Some rules apply when moving to Namur
You need authorization if parking on any street, even when moving out. If you're moving out with a container or a truck, you must send a written request to the Public and Security Domain (Domaine public & sécurité) first, two days before your relocation date.
This request must include:
- Name, surnames, or company names asking for permission;
- Postal address;
- Telephone number;
- Place where you're moving out and where the truck/container will be parked;
- If you need a booking of the space;
- Date and duration of the event.
For more information, contact (32) 81 24 72 61. Their email address is dps@ville.namur.be.
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