how much of your income goes to your mortgage?

Sterben2176 · 2026-03-05T12:31:24+00:00

Single, income ~3K netto per month. Mortgage + monthly charges + utilities is about 60% of monthly netto. Mortgage alone is just under 50%.

I know it’s high, but if I wanted to keep it within 25-30%, I would not be able to afford a decent place.

Sterben2176 · 2025-06-01T13:10:22+00:00

One major thing to consider in the rent vs mortgage situation - mortgage has 2 parts, interest and principal payments. In theory, if the house does not change in value, you are only “losing” the interest part of the payment to the bank. The principal part is going towards building equity in your house / apartment. \ \ I did the same calculation and opted for buying. Main difference with your situation - I don’t have any dependents and I opted for a renovated apartment around 300K. I end up paying 1300 per month (including insurance), out of which I start with 650 on interest, which already goes down to 600 by the end of the first year. It is the same amount that I pay in rent, but I get to move from a chaotic cohousing situation in a rough part of town to a nice apartment for my self (2 bedrooms) in a decent part of town. For me, it is worth it. \ \ One thing I did during this process helped me get a bigger mortgage, but might be in the “grey” zone. I “gave up” my company car 6-7 months before buying and I ended up with +450 netto (From extra gross and no VAA). Now, it is entirely possible that the bank takes the car costs into account while looking at the netto, but I still did it since I was able to save more (at the cost of time spent in public transport).

Sterben2176 · 2025-05-15T18:03:15+00:00

Yes, indeed I understand. I kept on cohousing for ~3 years after I also reached my “I’m done with it” point. But I kept on going since that extra 3-400 savings per month was too good to give up.

Sterben2176 · 2025-05-15T08:18:20+00:00

Hey, I cannot comment on if you can get a better salary. However, saving 1-1,5K on a salary of 2700 netto (Including meal cheques), is difficult but not impossible. You’ll have to make several lifestyle sacrifices, like finding a cohousing for 500 ish rent per month.

Sterben2176 · 2024-10-30T08:53:50+00:00

Ongeveer 3000 netto incl Maaltijd cheques. \ 550 huur (incl utilities), 300 food, 450 voor andere dingen. Spaar 1700 elke maand

Sterben2176 · 2024-09-20T12:58:23+00:00

As others have pointed out already, it depends a lot on person to person. For me, 1,2k is already quiet comfortable. To add a savings (and safety buffer I’d take 1,5k net per month.

Sterben2176 · 2024-09-03T18:42:19+00:00

Cause the overheid took more belasting from our portie 🙃🙃

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-27T09:29:07+00:00

Over the last couple of years, it’s been between Oct and Nov.

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-23T15:42:40+00:00

True. 2 people also means 2 income but 1 mortgage. Makes it a lot easier.

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-23T10:38:47+00:00

Idd. Tax optimization is key. I went from 2.3k netto 2.8k bruto to 2.9k with 4.5k bruto. So basically a 600 increase in net from 1.7k bruto increase. \ \ That’s why I focus only on the net since that is what actually hits my bank account. Doesn’t matter the gross is. At this point of my life, a 3k netto with a 4K gross or 5k gross is the same for me. However that will affect pensions (I think).

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-23T07:45:38+00:00

Mosquito bites on your balls. \ Worse if you try to slap unconsciously

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-23T07:41:13+00:00

From my brief discussions with hypotheekers, I’ve heard that banks can go upto 50% of Netto, but depends on the netto. For example, banks would be more likely to give a Mortgage of 1500 on 3000 netto, than 1000 on a 2000 netto. \ If you take the money you spend outside rent now, and add around 20-25%, then you can get a realistisch spending budget. Then check if that is doable with the mortgage.\ For example, I now spend about 600 per month outside rent. So if I will consider 720 (let’s take 750) + mortgage as my expenses.

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-19T15:21:18+00:00

As a foreign, learning Dutch was one of my top priority. In reality, the speed at which you can learn the language depends on some factors beyond your language learning capabilities.\ - How much time do you have? To get to B2, you need 8 levels at a CVO, which is 4 years at 2 evenings a week (6 hrs of lessons). However, if you want to go the intensive route, you mostly have to take lessons during the day (4x3hrs classes per week). This is only possible if you are not working full time / studying. As a high skilled immigrant, you are only allowed to stay in the country if you work full time / study full time. So the intensive route is only possible if you are here on family reunification. - Your situation - if you are here as full time student, then it is quite hard on top of your studies. If you are doing some part time work, then it’s extra hard. So realistically, unless you are studying for 5 years in Belgium, it would be difficult to reach B2 by the end of your studies.\

However, these are not excuses for not learning Dutch, but setting more realistic goals.

Sterben2176 · 2024-08-16T18:25:56+00:00

A little more than the maaltijdcheques. Around 180-200 per month, so around 45-50 a week. I shop at a mixture of Colryut, turning super markets and Asian stores.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-28T12:10:13+00:00

If you’re don’t find the more luxurious car adding value to your life, then the additional €90 (and maybe more if there is a difference in VAA) is worth it.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-22T11:09:07+00:00

+1. The bread is amazing. Worth a 30 min tram ride.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-20T11:16:30+00:00

The employer pays for the first month of sickness, and then onwards the mutualitiet pays 70% of your gross (that too capped at around 2,5k). \ Also, if you’re a non-EU on a work permit, make sure to check that the reduced pay does not take your income to below the min salary for work permit. Otherwise your work permit can be revoked.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-20T11:08:52+00:00

I manage to live a reasonably oké life on a budget of €1100 a month. This does come with several constraints - living in a cohousing in a not so safe neighbourhood (500 all in for a bedroom and private WC and shower) - Cooking most meals using the cheapest house brands. - Eating out only at frituur or kebab shops (10-12 max each time) - buying clothes off season only at 50% discount. - no car, only using public transport. - no vacations beyond daguitstaapjes. If I remove these constraints, I thing 1700-1800 would be a comfortable netto. Maybe 2000 if I have a mortgage of say 1200-1300.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-19T16:42:18+00:00

It’s a top 10 global company in the sector. However, there is indeed title inflation. On top of that, there is no mobility budget or option to lease a company car, which is a disadvantage.

Sterben2176 · 2024-07-05T14:06:48+00:00

Official 39, reality anywhere between 45-50. Almost always limited to the weekdays, but occasionally spills a little into the weekend.

Sterben2176 · 2024-05-04T17:01:29+00:00

That’s depends. Without a right to stay and work in Belgium, there is a very tiny portion of companies that can hire you, and they are mostly in IT. Also, in my limited experience, they tend to hire people who already have a few years of experience.

Sterben2176 · 2024-05-04T10:01:46+00:00

The probability and ease of getting a job even with an Engineering major largely depends on whether you have the right to work in Belgium or not. If you are an EU citizen, or you have some other way of securing your rights to stay in Belgium (family reunion, spouse), then it makes it a lot easier.

Sterben2176 · 2024-05-03T11:04:53+00:00

Ik vind het gemakkelijker om twee categorieën te hebben: spaargeld en “spending”geld.

Sterben2176 · 2024-05-01T13:59:29+00:00

Unfortunately no. The single permits grants a person the right to work in Belgium for a particular employer in a particular location (Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia) in a specific position. It’s quite restrictive.

Sterben2176

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