Nestled along the Alzette and Petrusse Rivers is Luxembourg City – the small yet booming metropolis that is the capital of Luxembourg. Because of its small size and central European location, life in Luxembourg has a cosmopolitan feel thanks to its international residents and rich cultural history. It is home to many diverse museums, theaters, galleries, and restaurants, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The city is divided into 24 “quartiers”, or neighborhoods. As an expatriate who is relocating to Luxembourg City, you have many fantastic options when it comes to choosing a neighborhood to live in. Below are some popular neighborhoods among expatriates living in and around the city.
CENTRAL
Ville Haute (Old Town): If being in the middle of the action appeals to you, this neighborhood could be a good fit. Ville Haute is the historical and cultural center of Luxembourg City and is peppered with high-end shops and restaurants that are mixed among the historical buildings and monuments. However, housing is much more expensive and harder to find than if you were to live farther outside of the city center. It also has the noise and hard-to-find parking that comes with living in an urban area.
Grund/Clausen: Located just outside of the city center, Grund and Clausen are beautiful picturesque quartiers, which offer impressive views of the city and are favorites among young professionals. Like Ville Haute, they both have a thriving cultural and restaurant scene, which in turn brings expensive real estate prices. Grund and Clausen are also known for drawing large nightlife crowds, so be prepared to deal with evening noise if you choose to live here. This area is popular among young professionals.
SOUTH
Gare: The quarter of Gare is home to the central train station of Luxembourg City, and is the largest transportation hub in the city. Its attractive boulevards house many businesses, shops and restaurants, and is the busiest neighborhood with many people passing through from neighboring countries. Gare contains some of the city's most interesting places, and prices are slightly lower than other central neighborhoods in Luxembourg City. It is a popular place to live among singles and young couples, and also has the most corporate housing options in the city.
North & South Bonnevoie: Bonnevoie sits east of Gare and is the largest of the 24 quartiers, housing approximately 15,000 people. It is close to the bus hub, which has buses that travel to any location in Luxembourg. The area is very diverse, with a large mix of people, shops, and restaurants, and is a popular neighborhood with expatriates who have families. The area has a friendly vibe and is projected to grow with new, upcoming developments.
WEST
Belair: To the west of the city center sits Belair, a larger and upscale quartier that is mostly residential. Along with some gourmet restaurants, Belair has family-friendly outdoor spaces such as Castle Park and Park Merl, making it a popular choice for families. Because of its close proximity (within walking distance) to the city center, it is also one of the most expensive quartiers to live in.
Limpertsberg: Limpertsberg is located to the north of Belair and the city center. It’s an ideal, central location and is very close to the main bus hub of Luxembourg and the highway junction in Kirchberg. It’s most popular with students, young professionals, and younger families. The area has a lot of character and is home to the Grand Theatre de Luxembourg and the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge.
NORTH/EAST
Kirchberg: Kirchberg is a very popular residential and business district, popularly known as the ‘European Quarter,’ due to the various European Union (EU) institutions located there. Kirchberg is also home to many other important businesses and organizations and offers a lot of facilities and amenities for expatriates. However, housing is very expensive and since it is further outside the city center, it lacks the charm of quartiers located closer and can be quite deserted in the evenings and weekends.
Beggen / Dommeldange: Beggen and Dommeldange are both located further north of the city center, and are more affordable than some of the other closer quartiers. Beggen is home to the oldest surviving football club in Luxembourg. Dommeldange in particular, is popular with expatriate families, as it has a cozier, village feel, and there are numerous new apartments being built there.
When relocating to a new country, you will most likely have to weigh the pros and cons when choosing where to live. Not all neighborhoods offer the same amenities or conveniences, so it will most likely take additional research to find the one that’s perfect for you or your family.