Ixelles

Good mix of safety, cafe culture, dining variety, and actual Belgian character. More expensive than average but balances security with authenticity better than other areas.

Ixelles has different zones with their own character. Châtelain is the upscale dining area with a Wednesday evening market. Flagey centers on the Art Deco building with cafes around it. Avenue Louise is high-end shopping. You get international families, young professionals, students - cosmopolitan but still Belgian. People sit alone in cafes all day with books or laptops, morning through late evening. The cafe scene is strong - lots of specialty coffee places, each different. English works because there are many expats, though you'll hear French too. Lighting is good and you'll see women walking alone past midnight around Flagey and Châtelain. Police are around but not in your face. The ponds give you some green space. More expensive than other parts of Brussels, though less than the European Quarter.