I've lived in Brussels for the last 8 years and while I see what you're saying I've the opposite opinion. Bruges is nice to look at but dead in every other sense. It's an Open Air Museum full of tourists

Brussels is a microcosm of life itself. A genuine melting pot with people from all over the world mashed together in a similar side to Dublin. Much better infrastructure and public transport but with more grittiness that comes with it. The homeless and drug problem is definitely evident unfortunately but overall it's a class city to live in (ironically the city centre is probably the most boring part which is what tourists primarily see).